unseen analysis. unseen analysis: focus categories film language

UNSEEN ANALYSIS

UNSEEN ANALYSIS: FOCUS

CATEGORIESFILM LANGUAGE

3 INGREDIENTS WHEN WRITING ANALYSIS

DESCRIBE THE CONCEPT/CODE

GIVE EVIDENCE

ANALYSE THE EVIDENCE

EXAMPLE 1

The purpose of this trailer is to persuade the audience to pay money to view the feature film. By highlighting the actors, director and special effects, the trailer aims to make the film stand out in the market place. The special effects dominate the trailer and invite the audience to go and indulge in the high quality experience.

EXAMPLE 1

The purpose of this trailer is to persuade the audience to pay money to view the feature film. By highlighting the actors, director and special effects, the trailer aims to make the film stand out in the market place. The special effects dominate the trailer and invite the audience to go and indulge in the high quality experience.

EXAMPLE 2

The cultural code of the main character’s suit indicates he is a smart professional and businessman. His efficient manner anchors his character role a successful business man.

EXAMPLE 2

The cultural code of the main character’s suit indicates he is a smart professional and businessman. His efficient manner anchors his character role a successful business man.

CATEGORIES: GENRE

Identify the genre/sub genres – link to audience/institution

Analyse how the trailer reveals these genres: Characters Settings Props/mise en scene Narrative events

CATEGORIES: PURPOSE

Identify and explain purposes Persuade (enigmas/USPs/emotional

attachment/special effects/story) Inform Entertain Profit

Unique selling points Link to audience/institution

CATEGORIES: TONE

Describe the tone(s). There may be several tones created.

Analyse how this tone is created: Use of sound (dialogue/music) Narrative events Themes/topics Types of characters

CULTURAL CODES

These are signs, codes or techniques that the audience understands because of their culture.

Cultural codes are meanings shared by members of a culture. This word “culture” can apply to other groupings, such as gender, age, race, social class, specialist interest, club.

CULTURAL CODES

In Media Studies, this refers mainly to the mise en scene: Setting Characters (costumes, expressions, body

movement) Props/icons Dialogue

Colours and sounds can also be interpreted according to our culture, and are therefore cultural codes.

The cultural codes of the sword, armour and the Colosseum in the background anchor the genre and style of the film. These codes suggest that the film will be an action-oriented historical epic set in Rome. The huge size of the main character suggests his importance and dominance. The way he dwarfs the Colosseum and is framed by the golden sky makes him look powerful and godlike. His expression is serious and determined. His stance is defensive: he is ready to fight, but not the aggressor, suggesting that he is defending his life or honour.

EXAMPLE 1

HOW TO ANALYSE CODES

Describe the code accurately using media terminology

Analyse the effect/meaning/connotations of the code to show what they reveal about the film’s style, story, characters and themes.

HOW TO ANALYSE

Avoid listing connotations. “He uses a gun which shows violence,

danger, crime, death, psychological damage, rage and disregard for human life.”

“The prop of the gun shows that he relies on violence to achieve his goals and further establishes the genre of crime.”

TECHNICAL CODES

Camerawork Editing Lighting and colour Sound

Analyse what these codes reveal about the story, character, style and themes of the film.

ANCHORAGE

When one code fixes the meaning of anther code.

For example: a caption fixes (or anchors) the meaning of another

When scary music anchors the villain as he approaches his victim.

ANCHORS

There are different ways to anchor the meaning of an image: Use of text/caption Voice-over Use of music/sound Camerawork Editing Use of mise en scene (props, setting,

weather, costumes)

WHY DO MEDIA TEXTS USE ANCHORAGE?

Anchorage = preferred meaning. The audience are given the filmmaker’s intended meaning.

No anchorage = polysemy. The audience interpret it themselves.

Explain three different ways you would anchor the shock of this character.

What codes could you add to: Make the shot more realistic Create sympathy for the villagers