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Going For Gold

Barthes Code

What he is basically saying is that a text is like a tangled ball of threads which needs unravelling so we can separate out the colours.

Once we start to unravel a text, we encounter an absolute plurality of potential meanings.

We can start by looking at a narrative in one way, from one viewpoint, bringing to bear one set of previous experience, and create one meaning for that text.

You can continue by unravelling the narrative from a different angle, by pulling a different thread if you like, and create an entirely different meaning.

Barthes also decided that the threads that you pull on to try and unravel meaning are called narrative codes and that they could be categorised in the following five ways:

• Action/proiarectic code & enigma code (ie Answers & questions)
• Symbols & Signs
• Points of Cultural Reference
• Simple description/reproduction
• Narrative Structures

Uses and Gratification

This approach focuses on why people use particular media rather than on content.

It is also well known as the understanding of mass production.

The theory concentrates on the audience, instead of the actual message itself by asking ‘what people do with media’ rather than ‘what media does to people’.

Personal Identification, being able to recognise the product in front of you, role models that reflect similar values to yours, aspiration to be someone else.

Information, being able to acquire information, knowledge and understanding.

Entertainment, what you are consuming should give you enjoyment and also some form of ‘escapism’ enabling us to forget our worries temporally.

Social Interaction, the ability for media products to produce a topic of conversation between other people, sparks debates.

Often known as PIES, as the abbreviation, this is used to break down and see the differences to how people use their feelings as an act upon different types of media.

A lot of the public criticize the theory as they believe that nothing has control over the media and what it produces, especially the public. And that it is too fair on the media and they do not want to be help responsibility for what the media produce.

However the theory is more relevant to sky and internet uses. This is because they enable users to have much more freedom and control over what they consume in relation to the pre-internet and analogue TV.

For example, if I was sad or down I would most probably watch a sad love story such as ‘the notebook’ or ‘something borrowed’ as it makes me feel happy and they’re, personally, really good films which capture you in and can block everything bad that’s going on in my life and allow me to relate to the bad things and problems of the characters lives. Watching a movie with a genre matching your mood can let you relate to it and help you realise you are not the only person with, in this case, bad things happening to you and that it always gets better.

If I was happy or in a good mood, Id more probably watch something like 21 jump street or either of the hangover movies. This is because they are both hilarious and would keep or even uplift my already good mood to better. If I watch them they make me feel good because they both make me laugh so much.

When I’m bored I’d most probably watch a rom-com, including ‘knocked up’ and ‘how to lose a guy in 10 days’ this is because it would entertain me whilst I was bored, however they aren’t to full on like comedies or romances but a mixture of both. As I enjoy this genre it is something that I would watch in my time, even though im bored it is something I take pleasure in.

Images and Analysis

This image represents our genre 'Social Realist British Drama' becasue it clearly shows a young girl who is not coping. This could be after a horrible inccedent such as a broken relationship, bullying, depression and many others. It is in a simple setting, a public toliet, hence the low budget scentery. However the lighting is bright in this image, and shouldn't be. As it is represents a bad period the lighting should be dim and sybolise the mood and genre. The expression on her face shows she is confused and most certainly upset. Her head is downwards, this shows she is emabrassed and possiblt thinking about the situation which has just happened. The body language being used shows she could possibly be angry and hiding herself from anybody else in the room or about to walk it. However it also shows she could possibly need something to lean on as no one is there for her. Concluding I think this image is good at representing the genre however there are some improvements that would make it better.

This image also is very good at representing the genre as it, again, is in a low budget setting, a public school. This links into the age because it is clearly teenagers in school. It shows two girls laughing and getting on and another girl standing on her own. The body language shows she is clearly sad, she is looking down and playing with her hands, this also shows she could be nervous or intimidated. The other two girls look comfortable and are happy, becasue of this it contrasts and creates the correct atmosphere which fits into the genre. Even though the lighting is bright it fits into the scene as you can guess, a school. Becasue of the low budget it wouldn't have lots of special effects. I like this image as it fits into the genre and is a natural, well photographed image with everythign in the scene.

Analysis of Opening Scenes

Similarities and Differences of three opening scenes – Se7en, Austin Powers and James Bond Gold Finger

Different features of an opening scene, even within 2 minutes of the start of the movie can distinguish what genre the film is. The music, images, font and dialogue all add up to create a specific atmosphere.  For example the movie ‘Se7en’ is filled with fast screen shots which give nothing about the film away apart from the small snippets of scenes, however not revealing any characters or a plot. The music is intense and builds up to create a spooky atmosphere. It makes the audience feel uncomfortable and on edge. There is also small noises of screaming and danger but no relation to the images which adds mystery and curiosity for the viewer. The structure of the music goes with the screen shots and ads strength to the genre as well as the mood and pace. They add impact for the audience which is key to grip them into the film and make them want to watch on.  Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me completely contradicts the horror genre because everything is the complete opposite however still has the same affect on the audience – grips them in and clearly represents what genre it is. And in this case, comedy. You can tell this from the bright multicoloured bubbly typed fonts which the credits are displayed on… Completely dissimilar to Se7en where the font is curly and edgy adding a creepy effect. The setting and actions are conventional because there are people all around and the setting, a hotel, is used as an advantage to create the genre of comedy. Props are used to cover up private areas of the main character, Mike Myers which makes it comical within the first few seconds. They also represent personality qualities and display he is a light hearted character therefore making the audience want to see more.          The final movie of the three is also completely different, it’s neither comedy or horror, but a genre of romance and action which is juxtaposed through the scenes, car chases and shooting (the action) that is projected on a gold naked lady and having the slow, sexy song ‘Gold Finger’ made pacifically for the film (the romance). The song also portrays the “sexy” agent (James Bond) through the lyrics and no dialogue is not needed. Because of the mixture of genres, the opening scene drags on slightly more than the other two and also because it is an extra one minute long and less is being shown in this opening scene compared to the others. The juxtaposition creates mystery and obscurity to the scene.

Film Analysis

Se7en

-         quick screen shots

-         build up to title of film, music becomes more intense

-         music starts slow

-         unpleasant noise (crying,  screaming, weapons) – builds up drama

-         strange, twisted images – mysterious, enigma

-         credits – class actors viewed first

-         make the audience feel uncomfortable

-         no dialogue

-         structure of music/dialogue fits into theme, scary song lyric

-         close ups, doesn’t give anything away, creates atmosphere

-         mood and pace of shots fits into genre

Austin Powers

-         fast, bubbly music

-         small snippets of dialogue,  comments

-         hotel setting, fast moving

-         good use of props

-         naked, humour, light hearted

-         actions represent personality

-         credits, bubbly multicoloured fonts creates positive and funky feeling of the film

James Bond (Gold Finger)

-         mysterious

-         slow paced

-         simple and clever, however clearly thought through

-         lyrics relate to film (song made for the film)

-         slightly dragged on

-         certain scenes projected onto gold body, builds up genre

-         setting up music to portray “sexy” secret agent (James Bond)

-         juxtaposition, action being viewed (drama) however slow sexy song as well as gold naked lady (romance)