Imagine: And Then There was Television

THE BEGINNING OF TELEVISION: DOCUMENTARY

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-wTcZTzKNw&list=PLD511F39E7FF8C5BC&index=3

John Logie Baird- engineer, obsessed with the idea of moving picture  
John Reith- broadcasting empires stared up 1922

both took classes in engineering in Edinburgh 

First demonstration- Selfridges London 1925 

1938- Reith leaves BBC

Gerbols- German propaganda minister saw TV as advantage 

British Tv broad casts from Alexander palace 

Story captures in film: 'The Fools on the Hill'

INTRODUCTION:

'television is a specialised industry' 

TV in the 21st Century-

television industry is a fractured industry

The way in which we watch TV is totally different being able to 'binge' watch a series

Shows that used to be made to be watched weekly are now streamed and are able to download to watch at once

-all thanks to digital technology 

BBC: To inform, to educate, to entertain

HBO completely different business model, they by pass regulation therefore can show more explicit content eg Game of Thrones     

WE ARE LIVING IN A WORLD OF DIGITAL CONVERGENCE

Consumer- enjoys the product, watches the videos 

Prosumer- makes the product, eg you tubers 

-co production between channel 4 and AMC 

Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster that began transmission on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA),^[1]the station is now owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation, a public corporation of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport,^[2] which was established in 1990 and came into operation in 1993. With the conversion of the Wenvoe transmitter group in Wales to digital on 31 March 2010, Channel 4 became a UK-wide TV channel for the first time.

The channel was established to provide a fourth television service to the United Kingdom in addition to the licence-funded BBC One and BBC Two, and the single commercial broadcasting network ITV.

Channel 4 original selling point was being the intellectual arty site compared to BBC and ITV

All4

More4

Film4

E4

4seven

4Muisc

VICE

KISS

Magic 

Transnational production- Humans is made by AMC and Channel 4

Humanity in Humans

What is Humanity?

What is the difference between a sinth and human?

Allegore- where a media product uses a characters, place or event to represent real world issues 

Gender performativity- KEY THEORY 10) HUDITH BUTLER:

-Identity is a performance, constructed through a seris of acts 

-biological differences is sex but gender is defined in the ways we walk, talk, dress etc

-outlined and reinforced through dominant patriarcale ideologies

-Therefore there is no gender identity behind theses expressions  

Gender= the conventions of your gender, hegemonic norms of what it means to be male and female  

How is gender constructed in HUMANS

When Laura comes home and finds the house tidy, she instantly assumes that her husband has not tidied up so raies her suspicions  

Tobys attention to Anitas figure reinforces the male gaze theory and how as a woman she is sexualised

bell hooks = Feminism is not just about gender and equality but it is for and effects everyone  

Where is partriarcl oppression in HUMANS

Bloke in the brothel, portentously rapes Niska 

Anita being shouted at because she is a robot, female and not white 

Joe has dominets over Anita coz he is the primary user 

The sales man is selling a woman 

Simon is super masculine replacing Pete the detective 

More on humans

ALLEGORY
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

"Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey" (metaphor) 

ZEITGEIST

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.

"the story captured the zeitgeist of the late 1960s"

Slavery

=Synths cannot say no, they are built to serve and get no reward for it

'your juts a stupid machine' 

Polysemy

=coexistence of technology and humans

Slaves to society, slaves to technology 

= Annita goes to check on Sophie she is taking over the mother role

Prostration

= if synths don't have feelings would they be treated as humans

no pain receptors therefore they are objects- consent is removed 

Sci-fi deals with issues that cannot always be presented as they are too sensitive or to big of an idea to deal with 

Steve Neil- Genre- repetion and difference- genre conventions

THIS IS AN ALTERNATIVE PRESENT

Humans is an example or 'hard scifi' it fits in with what we know 

HOW IS HUMANS SCIFI

• unnatural bright green eyes
• robotic actions/speech
• synthesised music
• ahead of our time technology 
• costume 
• scientific elements, lab scenes 

NARRATIVE:

binary opposition of Annitas reaction to Lauras reaction

binary opposition of ethnicity

slow zoom into Lauras face emphasis reaction

two seconds of silence showing shock   

Laura blanks Annita 

Annita is taking on stereotypically female roles

  

 

Diametric opposition = Two complete opposites 

Humans scene Analysis

HUMANS 

-modes of address, many audiences/view points created through family
-audiences questions values and responses 

• Genre codes and conventions 
• Genre theory 
• Genre fluidity
• Camera work - framing and composition shot types, angle, position, movement 
• Lighting and colour
• Editing – pace, type of edits, continuity
• Narrative construction, related to narrative theory
• Sound – dialogue, music
• Mise-en-scene – setting and location, props, costume/dress, hair/make-up 

Scene: Odi malfunction


CINIMATOGRAPHY and LIGHTING/COLOUR

focus change (depth of field/focal point)- Anita to laura coming up behind her  
filming actors through the mirror- Anitas reaction to laura (connote4s horror films)
quick transitions showing flash backs- change in mood and lighting 
bright superficial lighting vs warm homely lighting- house vs supermarket 
high angles, low angles showing status (shot/counter shot)- George talking to detective  
extreme close up shows emotions- detective being sorry for George (binary opposition) 
high angle mid shot of Odi on the floor among the mess- shows Odis fragility
extreme close up on Odis lips- uncomfortable shot
surgical lighting- when repairing Odi could make reference to mad scientist


SOUND and MISE-EN-SCENE

robotic noises when activating synths- digital recharge (like a phone dying) 
bussel of supermarket background noise- bases the scene in everyday life 

crescendo in music creating a climax in scene 'fatal error' 
Oids smudge of blue under nose- shows disheveled and broken appearance
All scenes have a blurred background- focus on characters 

HUMANS INTRO

This english adaptation of the Swedish "Real Humans' is partially British eg. setting of Kings Cross 

Majority of people don't enjoy watching subtitles

 

Use of recognisable iconic actors 

Character that occurs again and again is an Archetype 

Key msie-en-scene the coloured eyes of the robots 

Automation of labour = robots being used to do manual labour  

• What science fiction codes and conventions are evidenced? Are these utilised in a typical or atypical way?
• What groups are represented? What ideological perspective-Teenagers, working class/ middle class families, the elderly, scientists, clearly defined stereotypical characters so audience can relate quickly  
• Who is the primary target audience for this show?
• All science fiction holds a mirror to society. What real world allegorical themes are dealt with here?- development of AI
• What character archetypes are utilised in this show? To what extent does the narrative rely on them?
• What intertextual references/referential codes did you notice? How do these potentially reward the viewing experience?

Magazine breif

Brief

Create a front cover and double page feature article for a new specialist culture magazine to promote your artist or band to the target audience.  Length: 3 pages

Essential elements - front cover

• Original title and masthead for the magazine; strapline 
• Cover price and barcode 
• Main cover image to establish the identity of the new artist or band 
• Main cover line relating to the new artist or band plus at least 2 further cover lines 

Essential elements - double page feature article

• Feature article (approximately 300 words) to promote the new artist or band. The article should include an interview with the artist or band. 
• Headline and stand-first, sub-headings, columns 
• One main image and at least 2 smaller/smaller/minor images (all original and different from the images on the cover)
• Pull quotes and/ or sidebar

In order to achieve an 'A' grade, you must demonstrate the following over both pieces of the cross-media production

• Use media language to demonstrate intertextuality and/or generic hybridity
• Convey a complex representation of a social group using media language
• Subvert and challenge typical representational stereotypes
• Present an ideological context typical to an independent music label
• Create a magazine that demonstrates clear stylistic, thematic and ideological links to your music video 

Your coursework is marked in exactly the same way as your essays are marked – through your expert use of media language. Just so you're absolutely clear, this is what I am going to be looking for when assessing your magazine:

• Codes and conventions 
• Layout and design
• Composition - positioning of masthead/headlines, cover lines, images, columns 
• Font size, type, colour 
• Images/photographs - shot type, angle, focus
• Mise-en-scene – colour, lighting, location, costume/dress, hair/makeup 
• Graphics, logos 
• Language – headline, sub-headings, captions – mode of address
• Copy 
• Anchorage of images and text
• Elements of narrative

Inspiration mag covers

Own magazine

TITLE: Gospel 

GENRE: high end fashion 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Women, age range 15-25, middle class

IDEOLOGICAL FOCUS: Life style, designers, youth, edgy 

KEY REPRESENTATION: fashion industry, alternative youth 

LINKS TO MUSIC VIDEO: Face paint

PEN PORTRAIT OF BAND plus analysis of magazine double spread

NAME OF BAND- RefraQ

AGES- 17/18

COSTUME- simple block colours eg. black, white or denuim 

MAKEUP- metallic face paint eg. red, silver, gold

STYLE- psychedelic, edgy, youth 

PROPS- grets, zoot

KEY IDEOLOGY- live life, stay waved

Headline/title- 'one to one with RITA ORA' takes up half page

stand first/kicker- The uks hottest music star...

No pull quotes

red and black body (text)

Main image- takes up background x2 pages of artist 

Captions- in red in slanted handwriting font  

Ideology- Rita Ora is cool with chic street style

Costume- mostly black, leather jacket, beanie, denim shorts and black trainers  

Anchorage- mise-en-scene of back street with red whit and black is aggressive/cool

Setting- heading looks like graffiti, Rita is clearly outside sitting against a wall 

Composition- single image, her skin tone contrasts the monochrome background

Mode of address- direct out to audience, shouty

Layout- Headline very large at top (her name) artist in back ground, text either side 

Lighting- bright high key, as if taken on a flash camera at night 

Magazine pre-production

PROFESSIONAL

Layout is a very simple composition, consists of mast head center top, portraite of model, cover line at bottom with authors name.

All font is is black but in a variety of sizes due to its importance eg. title largests.

Title is also two words joined together however still with capital letters, result is pretentious but effective as the name becomes easily recognizable and edgy.

Majorty of text is centred on the page apart from the single subheading in capitals 'UNIVERSAL' which is to the right of the models collar. This sets it appart from the other text meaning the audiences eye is quickly drawn to it.

The image takes up majority of the background and consists of androgynous looking model, facing slightly to the left with minimal makeup, slicked back hair and very simple black wire mask over face.

the mask fits the shape of the face and is the most intresting aspect of the image.

Image itself is slightly blurred, cretaing the illustion of the mode fading into the white background.

The colour scheme of the front cover is mainly black, brown and white meaning the lettering and the models facial features come off the age in quite a harsh way.

The high key lighting gives the impression that the image was shot in a studio however with no detailing of the models name or an article linking to the image the audince are left with a lot of mystery.  

Personaly the mise-en-scene reminds me of a ghost withe the faded background and the frail and pale man/woman.

Mode of adress feels quite quiet as the text is small and less shouty than thte titel.

the triplet of phases give the reader a very little bit of insight into what is going to be inside but do add some anchorage for the very monochrome image. The words hint at a new age the the image looks very modern so could be insiuting futuristic trends.

This could also add elements of narrative for the reader to explore by redaing on.

I think their primary audince is older fashion orinated people, maleor female not specfific. the fact there s no clear price insiuates that the magazine is expeince an does not contain childish content.

We can also assume that poeple are willing to spend more money not evening know what the magaine acully contains as it does not seem to need to specify for its audince.

STUDENT MADE

Layout is very similar to prevoius magazine with the a portrateof model taking upmajority of background, mast head in top left with subheading belwo and around as too not obscure the model.

In this magaize the bar code and price are visible at the bottom right.

All text is is white so as too stand out aginst the paste blue background and is in the more slanted facy font to look femiene.

There is a mixture of font sizes with he mast head being the lagest. It is also an acronym making the title not immedity obvious and ambiguous, the reader wil instantly be guessing what the letters 'WFW' stand for.

The image of the female model is simpleand attrective, her pose of havin her hands up as if just brushig her hair behind her ears is natural and girly.

her long hair is down over her shoulders and she wears a moderate but natrual amount of makup giving a girl next door impression an someone the female reader can relate too.

She wears a plaingrey blue sweat shirt wich blends in with the back ground making her face stand out more. This is a simlar effect to the prevoius magazine.

personally i do not like the rough photoshop job done s it is obvoius that the image has been pasted on a coloured background, i think it hould have just been taken in a studio if the producer wanted that classic plain style.

The picture is however anchored with ethe subheadings floating around it.

The quick catchy phases speaking directly out to the audince 'best outfit for you' combined with ethe direct adress of the model looking forward feels as if she is speaking out the the women reading the front. 

Also her non imtimdating expression and simple outfit might entice the reader as she is not seen as a unachiable super model fret but more of a friend.

The use of numbers '25 new beauty and fashion ideas' makes it easy to see before you even open the magazine who it is aimed at and what it will contain.

Triplets are also used to add that catchy elenmt adding emepshis to content.

'the looks, the trends, the fashion' basically is saying the same thing three times on the other hand it adds weight to the idea of discovering yur unique look and makes the reader excited to read on.

I belive there primary audince is young owmna age range between 14-25 and their secondary audince being mums buying for daughters.

MOCK EXAM

Key assessment three – 80 minutes

Component 1 A

'In what ways do music videos encode viewpoints and ideologies? Make reference to Formation by Beyoncé and Riptide by Jack Vance.'  [30]

-representation and textual analysis 

what is ideology? the morals and the message behind something 

talk about mise-en-scene, shot types, camera angles, actors as it is all encoded with in the aesthetics 

-constructed by the producers

why? to convey or inflict their beliefs to the audience as well as make money 

THEORISTS! reference and name them in every question

Barthes--------- Semiotics= Hermeneutic, Proairetic, Symbolic, Intersexuality 

Levi-Strauss--- Binary Opposition and structuralism 

Hall------------- Representation= stereotypes 

Hall------------ Readings= Proffered, Negotiated, Oppositional

Gauntett------- Identity and pick and mix

Van Zoonen--- Feminist theory= Male Gaze, sexualisation of women 

hooks---------- Feminist theory, patriarchal hegemony  

Gilroy---------- Ethnicity and postcolonialism (racial hierarchy still exists) 

shot types and framing:

short, long, medium

depth of field (shallow = background blurred)

behind- positioned as antagonist

in front- positioned as audience  

direct mode of address- when character looks straight at camera  

Component 1 B

'Explore the ways in which production, distribution and circulation have shaped the newspapers you have studied. Make reference to The Daily Mirror and The Times.' [15]

Curran and Seaton-------The media is controlled by a small amount of companies which is bad as it limits variety, creativity and quality. We should have social diverse patterns of ownership can create more varied media products. 

Hesmondhalgh----------- The cultural industries- vertical and horizontal integration 

Livingstone and Lunt----- Regulation of media eg. film (BBFC) or newspaper (ipso). The increasing power of global media corporations and technologies transforming production, this has placed traditional approaches to media regulations at risk

The Daily Mirror is a British national daily tabloid newspaper founded in 1903. It is owned by parent company Reach plc which used to be Trinity Mirror until this year.
The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times (founded in 1821) are published by Times Newspapers, since 1981 a subsidiary of News UK, itself wholly owned by News Corp.

-Tabloid= traditionally more working class focusing on soft news (celebrity gossip and scandals) known as red top and generally cheaper
-Broad sheet= traditionally middle class with a lot of writing and lacking in pictures, more formal and intellectual topics   

Ipso is the independent regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. print news paper tends to specifically be aimed at older people as with the rise of the internet young people get news online 

(Example of conglomeration with all the news papers coming together)

Title	Published	Political Orientation
Sunday Express	Sunday	Right-wing, Eurosceptic
The Sun	Daily	Right-wing, conservative
The Sun on Sunday	Sunday
Daily Mirror	Daily	Centre-left

Print VS Online 
PRINT- Employment opportunities, satisfaction of physical product, creates sense of community, waste of paper, more expensive   
ONLINE- audience response immediately, more convenient, less expensive, constant current news, can access it anywhere  

Component 2

'To what extent has sociohistorical context influenced representations in the magazines you have studied? Make reference to both Adbusters and Woman.'  [30]

1- underline key terms in question 
2- find immediate reaction/opinion  
3- plan PEA (point evidence and argument)
4- reference specific articles
5- introduction DAC (definition argument context)
6- conclusion, sum up of everything  

binary opposition, fem theories, sexualisation, hypo needle, pick and mix, semiotics, representation 

Women= weekly women's lifestyle magazine published by IPC
Adbusters= independent Canadian, published 6 times a year by Adbusters Corp.