FRIDAY (mentoring catch-up) - Codes and Conventions of the thriller genre

Hi class,

Before we jump into our thriller class viewing, we are going to have one last look at some  codes and conventions of the thriller genre.

Take a look at these clips to get an idea of what sorts of things to be looking for and analysing when we watch our movie next week.

Embed these clips into your own blog and write a short blurb with a few key codes / conventions used that you took note of.

Analysis of opening sequence of 'A quiet place'

 

AS Opening sequence 'Perspective' 

Week 2 classwork - Reception theory

 Hi class

Today I want you to watch this short clip on Stuart Hall's RECEPTION THEORY, read the notes in the link below and make some notes. 

You are going to create a slide share that explains each aspect of his theory. Include an example that illustrates each of the different 'readings', Stuart Hall explains and include pictures. What are some examples of where an audience may choose to adopt each of the 'readings'?  

Link to read through

Some notes;

Reception Theory 

Quick revise

Reception theory as developed by Stuart Hall asserts that media texts are encoded and decoded. The producer encodes messages and values into their media which are then decoded by the audience. However, different audience members will decode the media in different ways and possibly not in the way the producer originally intended.

Stuart Hall states that audience members adopt one of the following three positions when they decode the text:

Dominant, or Preferred Reading - how the producer wants the audience to view the media text. Audience members will take this position if the messages are clear and if the audience member is the same age and culture; if it has an easy to follow narrative and if it deals with themes that are relevant to the audience.

Oppositional Reading - when the audience rejects the preferred reading, and creates their own meaning for the text. This can happen if the media contains controversial themes that the audience member disagrees with. It can also arise when the media has a complex narrative structure perhaps not dealing with themes in modern society. Oppositional reading can also occur if the audience member has different beliefs or is of a different age or a different culture.

Negotiated Reading - a compromise between the dominant and oppositional readings, where the audience accepts parts of the producer's views, but has their own views on parts as well. This can occur if there is a combination of some of the above e.g. audience member likes the media, is of the same age as you and understands some of the messages, but the narrative is complex and this inhibits full understanding.

Many factors could affect whether the audience take the dominant, oppositional or negotiated reading.

• Age

• Beliefs

• Culture

• Gender

• Life experience

• Mood at the time of viewing

Thriller genre study

Hi everyone

Your next blog assignment, create a SLIDESHARE for the following research project;

Thriller sub-genres-

• Research 6 thriller sub-genres.
• You will define the core content, themes, techniques and conventions that are characteristic to each sub-genre.
• You will also give examples of common methods used to achieve the desired effects.
• List 1-5 appropriate movies that land in the category of the sub-genre you are discussing.

Here are some examples of similar research projects (although not the same brief, yours needs to have the requirements above but good to get some info from all the same).

Thriller Sub-Genre Slideshare 1

Psychological thriller slideshare

Crime thriller slideshare

Here is a good article to use for research on some thriller sub-genres.

Here is another good article for research that breaks down thriller sub- genres.

I would suggest looking at previous students work on this to get a good gage as to what grade they got for the amount of work they put in. Remember, this is for marks and is research for your preliminary task 1 which we will begin work on next week!

T-Bianca 

Week 1 homework - Sherlock Clip

 Hi,

We're kicking off with an analysis project, as follows below.

Use the Sherlock clip in this post for our task and have this handed in by next week Thursday.

Watch the extract several times and assess how the sequence manages the bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods.  (Focus particularly on finding the main / initial shift in tone)

If we haven't already done so, finish your written notes on how the mood is set up in each case by the following micro elements:

• Camera: shots, angles, movement, composition.
• Editing: within each section and crucially, between them, to make the 'bridge'.
• Sound: dialogue, music, effects, atmospheric establishing sound, diegetic v non-diegetic contrasts.
• Mise-en-Scene: how is this different for the two contrasting storylines; how is mood and atmosphere created in each case through lighting, colour, performance and other aspects?

Remember that your notes need not be exhaustive; for example, you would only record types of camera shots and their resulting effects, rather than the number of times each shot type is used and their corresponding timecodes in the extract.

Finally, use your notes to write a short response about how the technical elements combine to construct mood and tone.  Responses should be one full side in length, so you will very likely not be able to cram in everything you've observed.  Select your best material for the task.

Let me know if you have any questions and have fun :)

- T Bianca

Week 1 - Wed - Thurs: angles and shot types

  

Today you're going to upskill in the area of shot types and angles used in filmmaking. This is going to be beneficial both for the representation aspect of the course as well as your own filmmaking endeavours.

Watch the videos below, file the handout that comes with it and then complete the activity on your blogs outlined in the second handout.

Introduction to Media Video Clip

 Wednesday Class Clip 

Welcome to 2022 Media Studies!

 Hi Media Students of 2022!

I am so excited to have you on board for what will be your favourite subject...I'm sure ;)

This is our CLASS BLOG! You will find everything you need for homework assignments, class work links and resources, somewhere on this blog page.

Have a look/ click around and make yourself familiar with the layout.

Then here's your tasks for when you're told to start on them;

1. Create a Gmail account (if you don't have one yet)

2. Create a Youtube account via the Gmail account

3. Create a blogger account and start your AS Media Studies blog. 

- email me the URL 

- name your blog with your name and last name 

- Make the title in your blog AS Media Studies 2022

- choose a design for it that you like 

It's going to be a great year!
T- Bianca