MIGRAIN index

1) Introduction to Media: 10 questions
2) Media consumption audit
3) Language: Reading an image - advert analyses*
4) Reception theory
5) Semiotics: icons, indexes and symbols
6) Genre: Factsheets and genre study questions
7) Narrative: Factsheet questions

Genre: Categorising texts

1) What example is provided of why visual iconographies are so important?

Iconographies are really important because the iconographies work together to indicate the genre. An example that was provided was a news broadcast, it tells us that someone sitting behind a desk isn't a genre alone. Lighting and shadows are added to create the genre e.g. low-key lighting is often associated with horror/thriller films.

2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre? 
An example that is provided was a tabloid newspaper and a broadsheet newspaper. The things that were used to often suggest the genre of it is the font that is being used, the use of language (whether it is basic language or sophisticated language) and how it is laid out. In this case the tabloid newspaper is The Sun and the way they've laid out their newspaper is putting the main headline on the front page and used the text in a big size. They haven't put too much information around the front page image, they've left on the information for the second page whereas, in a broadsheet newspaper it has the main headline and text all around it telling us whats going on so this tells us that tabloid is using basic language and not too much information on the front page so only the headline can standout whereas the tabloid newspaper uses more sophisticated language and could be targeted towards business men/women.

3) What is the difference between character representation in action movies and disaster movies?
In a action film, the protagonist is often isolated and is seen to do everything alone whereas in a disaster movie the protagonist is often with a group of people and isn't isolated and doing everything alone.

4) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell? 

The different ways films can be categorised is:

Period or Country, e.g. US films of the 1930s

Director / Star, e.g. Ben Stiller Films

Technical Process, e.g. Animation

Style, e.g. German Expressionism;

Series, e.g. Bond;

Audience, e.g. Family Films

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

One way genre is used by audience is prior knowledge. This is if the audience has seen something similar or a part 1 to something so they have a rough idea of what is going on.

Another way genre is used by audience is if they are able to compare it to something else.

The third way genre is used by audiences is when the audience use their knowledge to reject a text.

6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

One way genre is used by institutions or producers is production.

Another way genre is used by institutions or producers is by attracting an audience.

The third way genre is used by institutions or producers is marketing texts.  

7) What film genre is used as an example of how genres evolve? What films and conventions are mentioned?

The film genre that is used as an example of how genres evolve is the gangster genre has massively altered over time which has kept the audience intrigued. Over time, the iconography has changed so the genre has not become stale or uninteresting for the audience to watch. Some examples of this are Scar face, Reservoir Dogs and the Sopranos.  These focus on conflicts within the gangster community such as rivalry with opposing gangs etc. 

Superheroes: A Genre Case Study

Read Media Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A Genre Case Study and answer the following questions:

1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.
The X Men Franchise
The Avengers 
Spiderman
Guardians of the Galaxy
Agents of Shield

2) What examples are provided of how the Superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years? 
The examples that have been provided of how the superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years is how they have made successful TV series out of them today. In this case one of the TV series is Arrow and The Flash.

3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?
The way Schatz's theory of genre cycles cab be applied to the superhero genre is that

My Own Genre Analysis

General

1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
The reason I chose to analyse 'Fast and Furious' is because it has been a successful film over the years and there are many parts to it which keeps the audience engaged with the film.

2) In what context did you encounter it?
I first encountered 'Fast and Furious" when I saw the trailer to the movie trending on YouTube. At first I thought it must be something outstanding if it is trending and then I continued on to watching the trailer and I was intrigued and engaged with the film. That is when I knew this is something I must watch.

3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?
I know that it had a very strong positive influence on my interpretation of the text as it made me really passionate and enthusiastic about the film. Overall, the trailer did its job to attract new audiences rather than the same audience thats why it is one of the most successful films.
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
The genre I initially assigned to the text was a action genre.
5) What is your experience of this genre?
My experience of this genre is exceptional as most films are thrilling and there is always unique storyline. It allows the audience to connect with the film as if they're in the film themselves. The majority of films I watch is action and every time there is a new action movie out I am always down to watch it as I know it will be engaging and not boring.
6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
The basic themes that is associated with action films are Revenge, Power, Sacrifice etc.
7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
This genre is very typical because there'll also be a villain that will come and disrupt the protagonist and that will be the disequilibrium and the new equilibrium will be either when the antagonist is put away in prison or killed. 
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
I always expect this genre to be thrilling and I always expect there to be violence however, I expect the problems that go throughout the movie to be sorted out by the end.
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?
10) What generic labels have others given the same text?
Companies such as Rotten Tomato and IMDB have said "The Fate of the Furious opens a new chapter in the franchise, fueled by the same infectious cast chemistry and over-the-top action fans have come to expect."
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?
A convention that a action film provides is that there is always a fight that occurs between the protagonist and the antagonist and it is always a life or death situation.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
In "Fast and Furious" there is always a massive fight that occurs through out the movie and you can always see the build up to it. In Fast and Furious this is shown by the cars that is used in the film and the special abilities the cars have. For example sometimes the cars might have bulletproof windows and guns attached to the car, the car may also have parachutes. This is the build up to the massive fight that takes place and it shows the audience that the protagonist is prepared to take on whatever is coming their way.
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
The text often departs towards the ending of the film because there is often a emotional ending which causes you to feel sympathy for the characters which is completely opposite to the actual genre.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?
A emotional ending is often associated with Romantic films however these emotional endings occur in action films as well. For example, in Fast and Furious there was a emotional ending as a tribute to Paul Walkers death which caused many people to feel sympathetic and to cry.
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
In Fast and Furious there are always supercars and modified cars that are being used.

Mode of address
1) What sort of audience did you feel that the text was aimed at (and how typical was this of the genre)?
The audience that this film is aimed at is a audience that loves cars, racing etc. It is also aimed at a audience who loves fighting and violence.
2) How does the text address you?
The text addresses me as a Teenager/ Young adult who has a passion for supercars and how they're modified for special use.
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
It assumes I am a teenager who loves the build up of how cars are used and how they are modified to go to war/battle and it also emphasises the strength of the cars.
4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
I assume it is targeted towards males because in the film it is mostly the male that is the protagonist so it may target males so we look up to the protagonist. The age it is targeted towards is teenagers 13-18. The ethnicity it is targeted towards is most probably American's as the movie takes place in America however the film takes place in many countries so there is not a solid ethnicity it is targeted towards. 
5) What interests does it assume you have?
It assumes I have a interest in supercars and violence/fighting.

Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
This film has many parts to it so it refers to the first Fast and Furious.
2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
This film resembles other films such as "XXX", "2 Fast 2 Furious", Etc.
3) What key features are shared by these texts?
The key features these films share is the build up to a large fight, the fighting taking place and the aftermath to the fight.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?
The major differences between them is that the protagonist have their own special ability or sometimes they are working in a team whereas in a different film they are working alone.

MIGRAIN: Reading an image

1) Analyse this RBK 50 Cent advert using the key media language you learned today: denotation, connotation, colour, pose, framing, composition, size, type of shot, subject matter, setting, lighting.

The connotations of this advert is 50 cent telling people to be their selves and do what they have a passion for and love today because tomorrow isn't promised. He says "Take advantage of today because tomorrow isn't promised" This would be touching to people because they know he's been shot 12 times and he was at very high risk of dying and the only regret he would've had is not being himself and not taking advantage of what he had. The top down lighting and black and white filter connotes that there is always light at the end of a tunnel meaning that if you do what you love and be yourself there will always be something special at the end. 50 Cent was a criminal when he was younger but then he started doing what he had a passion for which was music now he is a successful rapper. This clearly demonstrates that there is light at the end of an tunnel. The fingerprints and the quote "i am what i am" convincingly illustrates that 50 Cent was being himself and did what he loves and had a passion for to be where he is today. The use of the medium close up shows his emotions. It shows that he is not scared despite the fact that he has been shot 9 times. The use of the old font suggests that you are never too old to do what you want. The use of the stencil font connotes that being yourself is simple and its never too hard.
The Hegemonic reading of this advert poster is that 50 Cent is trying to tell the audience to be themselves instead of trying to be somebody they aren't. The negotiated reading is that the producer is trying to tell the audience to be themselves and be happy as tomorrow isn't guaranteed however the audience's individual view might be that if they are being their self might get them nowhere in life. The counter-hegemonic reading may be that if you be yourself like 50 Cent you could potentially end up dead as 50 Cent has been shot 9 times.



In this advert poster there is a extreme close-up of Colin Kaepernick. Colin Kaepernick was sacked from the NFL because he protested against police brutality. While everyone was singing the national anthem before a NFL match started, Colin Kaepernick knelled down. The extreme close-up shows the customer Colin Kaepernick's emotions so the customer's sympathise for him. The use of the black and white filter emphasises that everyone is equal and should be served equally. In America the police are seen as racist as they only attack and shoot black people, this is why the protest has started. The quote "Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything" is emphasised a lot by Colin Kaepernick as he sacrificed his career to start this protest. The use of the stencil font highlights that it isn't difficult to prevent police brutality from taking place. The lighting in this advert poster is only towards Colin Kaepernick's face. This is done so the customers only focus on his face and his emotions. The Nike logo and their slogan "Just do it." is put in the bottom at a small size because Nike is a global brand and it isn't hard for customers to recognise their brand. The Hegemonic reading of this advert poster is that if you believe in something you should go for it even if you have to make sacrifices throughout the way. The Negotiated reading is that the audience will do something they believe in but they wouldn't do it to a extent where they put their family and life at risk.
The counter-hegemonic is that people will lose their careers if they do what Colin Kaepernick is doing and they be seen as a bad person by others.

Reception Theory

1) Analyse this RBK 50 Cent advert using the key media language you learned today: denotation, connotation, colour, pose, framing, composition, size, type of shot, subject matter, setting, lighting.

The Hegemonic reading of this advert poster is that 50 Cent is trying to tell the audience to be themselves instead of trying to be somebody they aren't. The negotiated reading is that the producer is trying to tell the audience to be themselves and be happy as tomorrow isn't guaranteed however the audience's individual view might be that if they are being their self might get them nowhere in life. The counter-hegemonic reading may be that if you be yourself like 50 Cent you could potentially end up dead as 50 Cent has been shot 9 times.



 The Negotiated reading is that the audience will do something they believe in but they wouldn't do it to a extent where they put their family and life at risk.
The counter-hegemonic is that people will lose their careers if they do what Colin Kaepernick is doing and they be seen as a bad person by others. The Hegemonic reading of this poster is to show that if you believe in something to do it and the shot that is used is an extreme close-up so the audience can connect with the audience at it almost feels as if Colin Kaepernick is looking at you through the poster.

Film Noir Research

• High-Key Lighting
• Low-key Lighting at times with back lighting.
• Black and White
• Set in the 1900s

This fits the Film Noir genre because it is black and white. There is also props which are associated with the Film Noir genre and this case it is the fedora. The lighting that is used is high-key lighting to vividly show both the characters face however towards the end when they are kissing there is a shadow. The shadow suggests that them kissing may not be right or could lead to something bad.