Unit 1: media products and audiences

Narrative theories are used so they audience can understand the purpose for the story in a film or media product. The product I will be analysing is the trailer for Thor Ragnarok, released in 2017. The first narrative theory is a theory by Claude-Levi Strauss (1958) and his theory suggests that binary opposition and the idea that people or objects can go directly parallel and opposite each other fuels each character. This can be seen in the Thor Ragnarok trailer as Thor represents good and Hela represents evil. Hela can be seen representing evil when a shallow depth of field is used to highlight Helas sword as she is about to kill people of Asgard. The second narrative theory is by Pam Cook (1985) where traditional narratives have effects on he characters in films meaning when something happens or is about to happen it changes a characters actions.  This can be seen in the Thor Ragnarok trailer when Hela is about to kill people of Asgard and Thor has to retaliate to prevent Hela fr...

Trailer of choice: Thor Ragnarok  Mise en scene: 1. Props- Thors hammer was used as that is part of his identity  2. Location- Asgard, this shows the audience where the film is set and might give them a better idea of what the film will contain  3. High key lighting- Shows the audience what is happening 4. Costuming in the battle arena- Shows they are ready to fight Camera work  1. Close up shots to show facial expressions  2. Shallow depth of field of Helas sword to highlight the weapon and it is a close up to show what it is  3. POV shot to show a characters perspective  4. Establishing shot- Asgard- shows the location of the scene and the setting  Editing techniques 1. Flashback- Thor is speaking about what has happened and the trailer shows what he is talking about 2. Cross cut- Thor is fighting then it cut to him talking 3. 4. Sound 1. Non diegetic sound- Incidental music creates excitement  2. Diegetic sound- Dialogue so you can hear wh...

Questions I found hard: I found question 9 hard as I misinterpreted the question. I also need to work on editing techniques. Mise en scene 1. Colour 2. Costuming  3. Props 4. Hair and makeup 5. Lighting (high key and low key) 6. Blocking 7. Location Camera work 1. Close up shot 2. Panning movement 3. Tilt movement 4. Zoom in/out  5. High, low and dutch angle 6. Dolly and tracking Editing techniques 1. Cross cut 2. Flashback or flash forward 3. Split screen  4. Graphic match  5. Eye line match 6. Shot reverse shot 7. Continuity and non continuity 8. Chiaroscuro effect- Only a small bit of the screen is lighted which creates mystery Sound 1. Diegetic sound  2. Non-diegetic sound  3. Incidental music, theme tune music, sound motif 4. Dialogue, ambience, sound effects

Hypodermic syringe- People are passive so they believe everything that they see (Adorno and Horkheimer) media feeds false lifestyles.  Vance Parkard (1957) Hidden persuaders book is about the impact of advertising during the era of the rise of American consumers. Cultivation theory and desensitisation (Gross and Gerbner) if we keep viewing images and videos constantly we start to believe that about a certain group. (Black people being aggressive or women being attractive) Mean world syndrome. For (Anderson 2007) /against Ferguson (2012, 2020) Daniel Petric 2007 Moral panic theory- the public can be panicked when they see stories about a minority in a media product and then they assume the whole religion or culture is dangerous. Instagram- negative effects of body image BBC- strolling through instagram can make you feel bad about yourself Active audience theory- Uses and gratification theory, we use media products for our own products. Escapism- we use them for our own entertainment...

Genre- Steve Neale (1995) conventions meet the genres stereotypes, repetition and difference. Jason Mittel- genres are exploited by media products for profit.  David Buckingham (1993)- genres change as society and culture develops. Rich Altman (1999)- people use media products for their own pleasures (visceral, emotional, intellectual) Narrative-  Tvzetan Todorov (1977)- conventional structure, equilibrium, disruption and a return to equilibrium Claude Levi-Strauss (1958)- Binary opposition,  two opposing forces (good vs evil) Pam cook (1985)- Cause and effect, narratives follow a linear trajectory. Problem solved at the end Roland Barthes- Enigma code, mystery Propp (1928)- Character roles. Antagonist, protagonist Representation  Laura Mulvey (1975) Male Gaze, women in media products are seen through the eyes of a heterosexual male. Manuel Alvarado (1987) Racial representation, Ethnic minorities are seen as comedic, aggressive and exotic.  Stuart Hall (1997) pr...