... Notes on how media texts appeal to different audiences...x

Introducing audience

• 
  Some people have seen media audiences as being easily manipulated masses of people
  who can be persuaded to buy products through advertising.

• There have been many fears that the media can have an effect on the audience’s behaviour, for example acting more violently.

Historical Background

• 
  If you were living a hundred and fifty years ago photography, film, television,
  radio and computers as we know them would all have seemed like fantasies.

• The media has an unprecedented power to affect us in negative ways. Many people go through the same things that are produced in the media, however don’t have anyone to tell them bad or good things about it.

The Audience as “Mass”

• 
  According to many theorists, particularly in the early history of the subject, when
  we listen to our CDs or sit in the cinema, we become part of a mass audience in many ways
  like a crowd at a football match or a rock concert but at the same time very different because
  separated from all the other members of this mass by space and sometimes time.

• 
  Sociologist Herbert Blumer (1950): Herbert Blumer described mass media in 4 ways. Firstly he says that social strata play a part on mass media for example: it may include people of different class position, of
  Different vocation, of different cultural attainment, and of different wealth.

Secondly Blumer says that the mass is an anonymous group.

Thirdly there exists little interaction or change of experience between members of
the mass. They are usually physically separated from one another, and, being
Anonymous, do not have the opportunity to mill as do members of the crowd.

And fourthly the mass is very loosely organised and is not able to act with the unity of
a crowd.

Defining audiences: the mass market

For many obvious reasons, media producers and institutions like to consider audiences in
groups.

... Self Evaluation..x

... Self Evaluation ...

1] Attainment: 2- My reasons for this are because i dont feel i have been to most lessons i should be going to due to personal reasons. However i have made my effort to get all the work done i missed.

2] Effort: 2 - I Have given myself a 2, as i put effort into doing work and participating in lessons, however i think i could be putting much more effort in this A Level Course.

3] Punctuality : 1- This term i have put a huge amount of effort on turning up to my lessons on time.

4] Submission and quality of homework: 1- Reasons for this are beacause i always give my homework in on time and is to its best ability, especially my blog.

5] Ability to work independently: 1- Most of the work this term that was set was to work independently and i think i did well doing this.

6] Quality of writing: 2- In the Last essay i got back, my quality of writing was not up to its standards, however this is going to be improved.

7] Organisation of Media folder: 1- My Folder is all in order.

8] Oral contributions in class: 1- Throughout the Media Language Bookelt, i contributed a lot during class, much more than last term.

9] Contributions to your practical production group: 1- I Stick to the deadlines set, and make effort towards the group due to the fact we are a group. However the Individual Needs have been sucsessful.

.. N . B . S ... x

Speed 2 : Cruise Control

During the extract the mise en scene links to every aspect of media language in many ways. Firstly the costumes used. The costumes used in this film represent the characters more and give an idea of who the character is and what their personality may be like. For example the use of the little boy being played is dressed in a casual orange striped top. This shows the audience that he may be an innocent child just minding his own business, this therefore creates an enigma for the audience as they are now worried if anything bad is going to happen to the child. Moreover when the shot of the boy is shown a close up shot is used to also emphasise the character’s facial expressions as this creates tension and anxiety for the audience. . As the clip is being followed along the same track throughout the clip a use of a tracking shot has been used as it follows the action along tracks laid for the purpose which is obviously whether or not the ship actually crashes into something big and if the characters survive or not.

.. Film Language Essay...x

Speed 2: Cruise Control...

The film clip I am going to be analysing is called: Speed 2- Cruise Control. I watched this film clip up to 3 minutes and 30seconds.

Throughout this clip of the movie a use of all different aspects of film language have been used. Firstly I will be talking about the lighting of this clip. The lighting used throughout this clip is low and high key lighting. Throughout the beginning of the film clip a use of high key lighting is used to show the beautiful place the film is shot in and also the whole scene. Moreover even though the film is set in a beautiful place a use of low key lighting is used on the characters faces in the clip that are in danger. Reasons the director may have used low key lighting on the scared characters faces is to show the characters facial expressions as this makes the audience feel more of what the actual characters are feeling themselves. The chiaroscuro creates an intense atmosphere and feeling for the audience.

Secondly I Will be talking about the sound used throughout the clip. The use of the diegetic sound being used is easier for the audience to understand what is going on in the clip. The importance of what the characters are saying is important to the character as they understand the clip more and feel like they are actually there in the scene. As the clip that I viewed is an anxious one for characters to watch the director made sure that also the diegetic sound of the actual boat and crashing and the voices of people screaming were also used so the audience can feel the pain and scariness that the characters are feeling. Moreover whilst all the diegetic sound is being used a use of non diegetic sound is also being used at the same time. The soundtrack being used in the background is a slow paste classical music however gets louder and louder, the director therefore has used a use of parallel sound and this therefore emphasises the audience reaction and builds up their tension.

Moreover a use of cinematography has been used throughout this clip. Firstly the camera framing. In the beginning of the film clip a long shot is used of the boat so that the audience can see the whole frame which helps them understand what is going to happen. Moreover uses of close up shots are used on the actor’s faces to show their facial expressions and just how worried they are. The most shots commonly used in this film clip are long shots as the director wants to show the audience what exactly is going on and who or what cab get hurt during this film clip. Also low and high angle shots are used throughout this clip as it creates tension and anxiety for the audience. A low angle shot is used when the ship is coming closer to the screen and people are underneath it, this makes the audience feel like they are the ship and if these certain people don’t move something bad is going to happen, moreover the high angle shots used are to show the audience the full frame and too see everything around or near the ship.

In addition the camera movement being used is mainly the same throughout the clip. As the clip is being followed along the same track throughout the clip a use of a tracking shot has been used as it follows the action along tracks laid for the purpose which is obviously whether or not the ship actually crashes into something big and if the characters survive or not.

Also the style of editing varies throughout the film clip of speed 2. The director in this film clip used a various amount of jump cuts. Reasons for this is because he wanted the audience to be very focused on the ship and what is going to happen to it, however jump cuts the shot to a shot of a little boy watching the ship coming towards him this creates an enigma for the audience as they are wondering what is going to happen to both things. The director has used a use of continuity editing, as this helps the audience understand the scene more as from seeing a house and then the next shot seeing the ship crashing into the house this shows that the editing has been continuity edited. Also a montage is used as there is a timer in this clip of when the ship is going to actually stop, this creates an anxiety impression for the audience as they are wondering if the ship is going to stop in time and if the director is going to be able to show all shots and scenes in this time used.

Lastly I will be talking about the mise en scene used in throughout the film clip. Firstly the costumes used. The costumes used in this film represent the characters more and give an idea of who the character is and what their personality may be like. For example the use of the little boy being played is dressed in a casual orange striped top. This shows the audience that he may be an innocent child just minding his own business, this therefore creates an enigma for the audience as they are now worried if anything bad is going to happen to the child.

Moreover the props used throughout the clip have an effect, as there are many props being destroyed and damaged. The audience would think that the props in the frame are there for show as they are expensive things however getting destroyed by the crashing of the ship. The director has done this so that it shows that people may be in danger if the ship is doing this to expensive props. Also the prop of the timer in the ship is very important to the characters and the audience as this decides whether they are safe or not. This timer is repeatedly shown throughout the clip and also shown as a close up to emphasise the audience’s thoughts and actions.

To sum up all points the director has been very successful in this film clip as all of his editing and camera techniques have had a massive effect on the audience’s views and thoughts of the film. The director used a various amount of aspects of film language and has therefore been successful.

.. How Film Trailers Are Used To Attract An Audience?. - Ms Holliday

The Bourne Ultimatum

Throughout the trailer a use of non diegetic and diegetic sound is used. Throughout the beginning of the trailer diegetic sound is used, this is the dialogue by characters in the scene. From the start the audience is able 2 understand the film more clearly as they have an idea of what the film is going go be about as they have a chance to listen to what the characters are saying. An important phrase is used during the middle of the trailer which the audience hear the character say: “someone started all this and I’m going to find them”. This quote shows the audience that this is going to be an important part of the film. Moreover after this quote is used this is then when the non diegetic sound is used. The soundtrack used in the background of the trailer emphasises the whole trailer as the soundtrack is a fast up tempo beat it links to the genre being action and showing the audience a problem is going to happen or be solved.

The genre of the film is action. Reasons for this are because the use of the props used such as guns and motorbikes shows the audience that a lot of action is going to be used. Also there is a use of fighting shots so his also connotes to the audience that action is going to be used throughout the film. Moreover the main character used in the trailer is shown to be a character that is going to be chased by the government or going to save someone’s life.

The target audience for this film is aged 12- 21. Reasons for this are because young people are into action films. Also with the use of guns and action stunts this creates excitement for young people and makes them go and watch the film. The film however can also be targeted at an audience over 21 as the characters used throughout the trailer are mature adults and this therefore gives a chance for them to go and watch the film.

The trailer shows the audience that it is a film worth going to see in many ways. Firstly the use of the film being a trilogy has a massive effect on the audience going to watch the film. The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy. The Bourne Identity was the first one made had had a huge success so by having a third and final film which is The Bourne Ultimatum this gives the audience a huge impression that the film is worth going to see.

Conventions of Film Trailers...

=> Diegetic & Non Diegetic Sound

=> Edited Shots

=> Different Uses Of Shots

=> Date Of Released Date

... Analysis Of 4 Film Stills ... x

Analysing different camera angles and their effects.

Rush Hour ...

In this still image from Rush Hour, a medium shot is used, to show the audience the use of the characters actions and also parts of the mise-en-scene.
The medium shot helps the audience see a lot of things in the shot.
Firstly the characters facial expressions, the audience know the character must be a police traffic warden due to the clothing the character is wearing. So by the character having a funny facial expression it shows the audience a sign of comedy, as it also looks like the character is dancing in the shot, as he also has earphones in his ear. This connotes to the audience that instead of doing his job properly he is doing it his own way by dancing and signalling at the same time. Also as the medium shot is used the audience can see that the setting is set in a city, so this connotes to the audience that the film is likely to be set in the city.

You Got Served ...

In this still image from You Got Served a medium shot is used.
As the film is a dancing based film, the medium shot plays a massive effect on this still image. As the director is not focused on one character, he is focused on them all, so therefore a medium shot was used to show that everyone in the shot is important.
In addition the medium shot shows the characters actions as they are dancing and also their facial expressions showing that the characters are passionate and trustworthy towards their dancing.

Saw IV ...

In this still image of Saw IV a close up shot has been used.
As the still image is very gruesome a close up shot has been used to show the audience what is going on in the image. Also the audience can see the characters facial expression due to the close up shot showing blood. The close up shot may make the audience feel the same pain as the character is feeling as the blood connotes pain and hurtfulness the audience can see the character is in a lot of pain as his mouth is open he may be screaming for help or painfulness, so this close up shot therefore connotes to the audience he needs help or is getting killed.

Home Alone ...

In this still image of Home Alone again a close up shot is being used.
The close up shot is being used this time to show the characters facial expression and emotion.
As the character is a child, the close up shot used by the child covering his cheeks whilst his mouth is open indicates to the audience that the child may have done something wrong. Also as the child looks like he is in shock this can also connote to the audience that he may be scared or worried. The close up shot makes the audience want to know what the child has done or why he is worried.

... Cinematography ... x

Psycho...
16 June 1960...

And


Home Alone...
7 December 1990...



Psycho is a horror/thriller film that was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and was released on the 16th June 1960.

From the start of the extract the audience can see that close up shots are used through at least four shots of the beginning of the trailer. These close-up shots are: firstly a wet hand being scratched down bathroom tiles, secondly a pair of wet feet in a bath, thirdly a strange hand about to pull the shower curtain and lastly another close up shot of the shower curtain hooks being shaken and breaking.
This gives the impression to the audience straight away that the genre of the film is going to be horror as the close up shots are showing bad things happening, and also the use of the non- diegetic sound causes suspense which shows the genre of the film is horror.

Moreover after the close up shots have been used in the beginning of the extract, a use of long shots have been used to show where the film is set and the places that the events will be happening.
In addition a point of view shot has been used in the early beginning of the extract (just 11 seconds in) to show the audience the film is going to be about suspense. As the voiceover in the extract tells the audience that the house is a scene of crime place, there is a medium shot used of the characters face looking anxiously at the same house.
Also when the characters are having a conversation with each other a use of medium shots has also been used as this creates suspense to the audience, as they are thinking it is a horror film, but why are people so calm and civil towards each other.
Moreover once again close up shots have been used to show important stuff that the audience might need to remember during the film for example, close up shots are used on a envelope of money and a suitcase full of wealthy clothes.
There is also a long shot used in the extract of a old fashioned house, this connotes to the audience that this may be the place in film that the bad things are going to happen in, as the long shot showed the whole house in the shot.
Further on in the extract a high angle shot is used to show man holding a woman in his arms carrying her down the stairs. This high angle shot is used to show the audience the whole shot of the two characters and the setting around them.
Close up shots are mostly used throughout this extract to show the characters facial expressions, so the audience can tell the hero from the villains. And as a result a medium shot is used at the end of the extract to show a characters facial expression as he smiles, this is used so that the audience will remember this character as the villain, as his facial expression connoted to the audience he was the villain.

Home Alone is a family comedy film that was directed by Chris Columbus and was

released on the 7th December 1990.

At the beginning of the extract medium shots are used to show everyone in the shot from the family. This is showed so that the audience can figure out that the genre is going to be comedy family based.
Secondly a low angle shot is used to show the aeroplane taking off so that the audience can feel the same way they are feeling. After this shot is used, a long shot is used to show a wealthy huge house, this may confuse the audience as they just saw an aeroplane take off but now see a house. Throughout the extract medium shots are used, the director may do this because the paste of the trailer is quite fast, so by using medium shots it will show the audience everything in the frame.
Also when something funny or bad happens in the trailer medium shots are used so that everything in the frame is shown to the audience, in addition by the whole trailer having medium shots this creates an enigma for the audience as by no close up shots being used facial expressions are not shown.

Key Differences ...

More close up shots are used throughout the trailer Psycho, however in Home Alone no close up shots are used.

In the Home Alone trailer a low angle shot is used to show the aeroplane taking off, however in Psycho a high angle shot is used to show a character holding another character in his arms down the stairs.