Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Representations of 'The Law' - Home-learning and private study in lieu of next week's triple

You will examine and compare the way the "law" is represented in different dramas. Issues of representation to analyse: class/status/authority, gender, race/ethnicity as well as whether the representations are sympathetic, realistic etc... How do the producers position the audience in relation to the detectives / officers?

Start by going through the PPT and watch the opening credits for both shows.


TASK: Write a comparative essay (or produce a detailed Powerpoint or Prezi or any other relevant site/software, perhaps doing a detailed director's commentary voice-over analysing screenshots) analysing the representations of the ‘law’ in the 2 extracts from The Wire and A Touch of Frost.
This should be ready for the next time I see you (Wed 4th December).

Intro and credits, The Wire, series 1, episode 1.


Frost, Series finale, "If dogs run free".


Finally, make sure you read the article below. The section on The Wire should be very useful in particular:



REMINDER: Post a few notes on your wider reading!!! I need to see that you are doing it and gaining extra knowledge from it.

Class and Status - Spooks

Discuss the ways in which representations of class and status are constructed in the extract through the 4 micro-elements:
camerawork
editing
mise-en-scene
sound

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Work due in Wednesday 20th November

1. Completed work on Shameless
2. Comment on someone else's video on Representation of women (spread your comments)
3. Redrafted posts so far. Make sure your best is showcased (might include redrafting your documentary)
4. Notes / pics from reading, including the chapter on The Language of Film.
5. Tidy up your files!

Aim high. Work hard.

Kareem, let me know when you've posted...

REPRESENTATIONS OF SOCIAL CLASS - SHAMELESS

Exam Practice Task: Analyse how the producers construct representations of working class in the opening credits
You can watch the episode here
Make sure you address all 4 areas: 
- Camerawork; 
- Mise-en-scene; 
- Sound; 
- Editing. 
You should select 10 frames minimum to screengrab as examples for your analysis. I expect 700-1000 words. 

BEFORE YOU START WRITING AN ESSAY:
- What social class is being represented? How do you know?
- What are the usual stereotypes associated with this social class in the media?
- Are these stereotypes used here?
- How are the audience positioned by the producers? Why? (Think particularly about the use of camerawork and editing - as well as soundtrack - to create humour). 
VERY different representation here from what we are used to; usually, this social class is portrayed through realism / gritty representations.
- Screen grab key shots that you think will help you in your analysis.


Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Work due in

You should have completed your edit of the Ashes to Ashes extract - the re-creation. You should also have responded to the question set with screengrabs from the original extract/your own.

IN FUTURE, DO MAKE SURE ALL HOME-LEARNING/INDEPENDENT STUDY IS RECORDED ACCURATELY IN YOUR PLANNERS PLEASE.

The question set was to analyse the ways in which representations of gender are constructed in the extract through the usual 4 micro-elements.

You also need to start recording your wider reading (including wider 'watching' = relevant videos and tutorials, some of which on the blog, some of which you should find yourself) and keep notes on your blog. So far, you have read an article on feminism/post-feminism. This should be evidenced on your blog. If you have hand-written notes, take a picture and upload it but make sure you show me your work. 

At A Level, independent study is key and you will be getting further reading regularly from now on. FInally, since some of the tasks set require you to use the equipment / the macs, make sure you plan for that time in school during the week. You are welcome to use the pod whilst other classes use it if there is a computer available.


YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE A GAP OF A WEEK OR MORE ON YOUR BLOG!

 On Wednesday, we will start looking at representation of social class.

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Representation of Gender - One more video

Ashes to Ashes - Recreation and Analysis of Gender Representation

This is the extract from the episode you've looked at.

After recreating the extract, answer the following question in full:

How does the extract construct representations of gender through the 4 micro-elements:
- camerawork
- mise-en-scene
- editing
- sound.

Consider audience positioning as a key element of your analysis.
And here are some screengrabs to support your analysis.
A little bit more here behind the scenes:


PS: Some of your other posts really need developing and redrafting. make sure you do so by the end of the week to allow us to revise some of your grades UP. PC2 deadline for us next Monday.