Audience essay feedback and learner response

1) Copy and paste your feedback from the email in full - WWW, EBI and LR.

Marianna, GCSE Media blog feedback – Audience Essay feedback  (December 2019):

Marianna, it is great to see you keeping up with the heavy workload of Media Studies – it shows how dedicated you are to getting the best possible GCSE level. It would be great to see you contributing more in lessons and trying to adopt media terminology in your verbal and written work.

WWW:

·     Some good examples provided on how the internet has effected the three traditional types of media industries e.g. music, film and television and print.

·    Some subject terminology identified in your writing e.g. audience, on demand, consumers, industry

EBI:

·   You need to work on your written expression – making sure your sentences are clear and get your point across.

·    You should have been able to state 2 (rather than 1) advantages and disadvantages of the internet on the media industries.

·   Your disadvantages are not strong enough – you need to think about the bigger problems the internet poses for producers.

LR:

·    Check SPAG throughout essay.

·   Re-write your introduction – explain the general advantages the internet has provided for audiences and the general disadvantages for producers.

For each industry, mention at least 2 advantages and disadvantages that the internet has had on audiences and/or producers and use accurate media terminology

2) What was the word count for your essay?

My word count for my essay was 500+.

3) What was your strongest paragraph? Why do you think it was better than others?

I think my strongest paragraph was the 'changes that happened in the Music Industry'. This is because the advantages and disadvantages were more varied and had more useful to the other paragraphs.

4) What was your weakest paragraph? Why do you think it wasn't as good as others?

I think my weakest paragraph is the 'changes in the Film and TV industry'. This is because the advantages and disadvantages were basically the same, the film and TV industries have the same points in advantages and disadvantages.

5) How can you improve your extended writing in GCSE Media Studies in future?

In my extended writing for GCSE Media Studies in the future, I could improve by practising at home and looking over key factors to add in my essays.

6) Write ONE thing you have learned about the internet, audience and industry from completing this essay.

I have learnt that I have to connote more stuff than expected.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

1) How many films are there in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?

There are 23 films in the MCU.

2) How much money have the MCU films made in total so far?

The MCU films made $356 million in North America and more than $1.2 billion worldwide in total so far.

3) Why did Marvel create the Avengers films?

Marvel created the Avengers films because In 2007, Marvel was recovering from bankruptcy and had sold off the film rights to some of the company's most popular characters like the X-Men and Spider-Man.

4) What will Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe involve?

Phase Four features all of the Marvel Studios productions set to be released in 2020 and 2021. It is the first phase in the franchise to include television series, with Marvel Studios developing several event series for the streaming service Disney+ in addition to the feature films that it was already set to produce.

5) What will happen with Doctor Strange and who is the main star?

Doctor Strange will return for a sequel at "some point in the future" and the main stars are  Kevin Feige and Benedict Cumberbatch.

6) Who owns the rights to Spiderman and why is the character now appearing in Marvel films?

Marvel has licensed the rights to Spider-Man to Sony for nearly two decades, an agreement they forged prior to Disney's $4 billion acquisition of the comics company in 2009.

7) Which company owns the rights to the Fantastic Four and the X-Men?

Disney's $71.3 billion acquisition of 20th Century Fox means, among other things, that Marvel will now own the rights to the characters from the X-Men, as well as the Fantastic Four series — rights Marvel sold in the late '90s to avoid bankruptcy.

8)What has Disney announced regarding TV shows on their new streaming service Disney+?

Disney has also announced plans for several new Marvel TV series, including one based on Thor's adopted brother Loki, on their new streaming service, Disney+, so there'll be plenty more Marvel content to watch in future.

Grade 8/9 extension tasks-

 What did the Guardian think of the film?

The Gaurdian thinks that the film is a "daringly spiritual popcorn movie". They also said that there’s a sharp wit to the screenplay, which credits the audience with enough smarts to catch the punchline to a joke that was set up a full hour before.

How has it survived so long and why is the Marvel Cinematic Universe so important to the recent success of the brand?

It has survived so long because Marvel films over recent decades is very closely linked to Marvel's 80 years of history, its vast experience in storytelling, and the development of their characters.  It is important to the recent success of the brand because in the 1990's, Marvel - and other companies - were printing millions of copies of titles.

Ownership and control

1) Why did Facebook buy Instagram for $1bn in 2012?

Facebook brought Instagram in 2012 because It proved that Facebook could build multiple products at the same time, and also sent a message to other entrepreneurs that Facebook was the best place in Silicon Valley to drive massive growth.

2) What are the benefits for media companies of vertical integration?

The benefits for media companies of vertical integration is having control over the supply chain and the ability to offer lower prices while increasing market control.

3) What are the benefits for media companies of horizontal integration?

Benefits for media companies of horizontal integration is that they can help companies increase in size, reduce competition and expand into new markets. It can also allow  to boost profit and allow companies access to consumers.

4) What is a subsidiary?

Subsidiary is a smaller company that is owned or controlled by the conglomerates.

5) Give three examples of media companies that have used synergy to maximise the profit from a brand 

Three examples of media companies that have used synergy to maximise the profit from a brand are Disney which makes movies but then also has related stage shows, theme parks, merchandise, soundtracks and events. Frozen has songs, toys, and the film. Lastly for toy story there's toys, the film, theme songs, and merchandise.

6) Read this BBC article on Disney buying 21st Century Fox. List 10 companies that are part of the Disney media empire

10 companies that are part of the Disney media empire is ABC, Touchstone Pictures, Marvel, Lucasfilm, A&E, The History Channel, Lifetime, Pixar, Hollywood Records and Vice Media. 

7) Why did Disney buy Fox - what are the benefits?

Disney’s acquisition of Fox will enhance its portfolio with popular franchises and branded content. 

Industry and audience power essay

Essay question: “The internet has given audiences much more power than ever before.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

It is evident that the internet has given consumers much more power than before. Examples to support this is now that because we are in the new digital media age and more creators become smarter, they have come up with ways for the audience to watch television on demand. This means that the audience could catch up with their shows instead of watching it live on TV. One disadvantage is that the more people aren’t viewing the TV, they might have to shut down programs on the TV.

Changes that happened in the music industry is that now days, the audience could access music anywhere instead of the radio such as YouTube, Spotify and more. Also, people are now making albums at home on their computers that sound as good as studio albums. One advantage for this is that it could cost less for consumers and that you don’t need to pay rent on huge studio space. Another advantage is that you could go viral without a promoter. That means your music is able to have a potential reach of half of the world with a click of a button, and the best part is, it’s free. One disadvantage is that people get addicted to it and spend more time on their technology listening to music or making music that they won’t spend as much time going outside and spending time with families. Another disadvantage is that the business side of music is struggling to generate enough revenue because of the new technology. Most of the people who are part of making a record are paid in royalties, and anytime music changes hands without money being involved, those royalties can’t be paid—which is why so much has been done in recent years to try and reduce music piracy.

Changes that happened in the film and TV industry is that you can watch your favourite programs in colour which was introduced in the 1960’s. One advantage is that it saves time and makes the audience leave their work to go home and watch TV not on a scheduled time but to open up their laptop and watch it freely whenever you want. Another advantage is that you can also watch your shows anywhere such as Tablets, laptops, phones and more, and in any websites such as 123movies and Putlocker. One disadvantage for this is that people get addicted to it and kids wouldn’t do their homework but just go on their phones and watch their show. Another disadvantage is that because there are so much illegal streaming websites that thousands of people use to watch movies, such as 123movies, the movie company won't get paid that much. 

Changes that happened in the newspaper industry is that some people are no longer reading newspapers, but are now accessing their technologies in order to read the news instead of going on TV. One advantage for this is that people don’t have to wait for the news to come on at a certain time but can now search it up. Another advantage is that Reader can read news any time whenever he wish and able to read information again and again.One disadvantage for this is that print industries are slowly dying and losing money. This has a huge impact on them because maybe in the near future there no longer will be newspapers. Also, people could put fake news online and anyone would easily believe what it says but if they watched the news on TV they would know if it’s real or not.

In conclusion, I agree with the fact that the internet has given consumers much more power than before and that the audience have quicker access to watching shows, listening to music, reading the news and any other form of entertainment. This is because I think, and other people think, accessing stuff online is easier and quicker.

Audience Effects Theory

1) Write a definition of a passive audience: 

Passive audience- is an audience that observes an event rather than actively responding it.

2) Write a definition of an active audience:

Active audience- argues that media audience do not just receive information but are involved in making sense of the message within their personal and social contexts.

3) Write a definition of the hypodermic needle theory: 

Hypodermic needle theory- is a model of communication suggesting that an intended message is directly received and accepted by the receiver.

4) Write down a media product for each category of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory and WHY it fits that particular audience use/gratification:

INFORMATION/SURVEILLANCE: BBC NEWS

>Why: In the BBC News, you learn new things everyday with information you didn't yet know

IDENTITY: MEAN GIRLS

>Why: In The Mean Girls, the audience that gets bullied can relate to it and also how it's set in a Highschool some girls get pushed into caring about being popular

DIVERSION/ENTERTAINMENT:  COOKERY SHOWS

>Why: Shows like cooking can make people feel like they're competing and they would feel the tension because they would want to know who wins

RELATIONSHIPS: TVD

>Why: In The Vampire Diaries, both brothers like the same girl

5) Re-watch the clip from Blue Planet above and write a paragraph analysing how elements of the clip offer the audience pleasures or gratifications

It gives the visceral pleasure. This is because of the music and how calm it is, also because when they show the waves and water it's so peaceful. Another pleasure is voyeuristic pleasure. This is because of how the camera is underwater catching all the sea creatures underneath.

Reception theory

1) What is the preferred reading of a media text?

The preferred reading of the Harry Brown trailer is that young people are portrayed to be dangerous and in gang related activities. Also, always out with their friends doing stuff they're not meant to be doing. e.g. drugs, violence 

2) What is the oppositional reading of a media text?

The oppositional reading of a media text is that young people are usually because of the environment they've been brought up in and their families, and also the clothes they wear such as tracksuits- they might be seen as threatening.

3) How does the Harry Brown trailer position the audience to respond to the teenage characters in the film?

The Harry Brown trailer position the audience to respond to the teenage characters in the film as all teenagers are violent and are in gangs when some of them aren't. They are mostly portrayed as the trouble makers.

4) Why might young people reject this reading and construct an oppositional reading of the trailer?

Young people reject this reading and construct an oppositional reading of the trailer might be because they think that not all teenagers are related in violence and some of them are really good people who were brought up in a friendly environment.

5) Write a 150+ word analysis of the McDonald's advert using preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings.

The preferred reading of the McDonald's advert is that people who don't have enough money for proper food should eat this burger. The title says "a meal disguised as a sandwich" which means that if you eat this burger it would basically be like a ordinary meal and it would make you full.

The negotiated reading is that the social class would probably be lower class ranging to any age. This is clearly because if someone with a higher status wanted to eat a meal, they'd go somewhere with proper food; a burger from McDonald's isn't proper food to eat when your starving.

Lastly, the oppositional reading for the McDonald's advert is that people would tend to go for the burger meal disguised as a sandwich because of their profile status. The advert is obviously directed at people who aren't in the higher social classes and that the burger is there to fulfil people's needs and make them full quicker, that's why they called it a meal.

                         

GCSE Media assessment: learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential)

Excellent work, Marianna!                                                    15/25

You need to use media terminology whenever possible!  Grade- 4

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the mark you achieved for each question:

Q1; 1/1 - I demonstrated knowledge of the theoretical framework of media studies

Q2; 1/1 - I demonstrated knowledge of the theoretical framework of media studies

Q3;  1/2 - I didn't include an example
Q4; 2/2 - I wrote the specific demographic of individuality and group and who it's aimed at
Q5; 1/2 - I didn't reinforce the image and title
Q6; 3/3 - Effective explanation of conventions of film poster
Q7; 2/2 - I included the background setting and the child's facial expression 0
Q8; 2/4 - Some appropriate and effective references and mostly appropriate and effective use of media terminology throughout
Q9; 2/8 - Limited appropriate references to the Water Aid advert and little, if any, use of media terminology throughout

3) Re-draft your answer to Q9 and type it out in full. Use the mark scheme to identify anticipated content you can add to your response and make sure your typed re-draft is a top-level answer of at least three paragraphs.

Charities use pictures of children in their advertising because children are associated with innocence and purity which will generally appeal to the audience's emotions. Also, they add children in their advertisement because young children, who are less fortunate than others, are stereo typically associated with vulnerability so that the audience would feel sympathy and donate money to the certain charity. This would connote the fact that our generation of kids who are penurious are dying from starvation and thirst when they should be out doing normal children activities every other kids are doing, and that they don't deserve what's happening to them and their families.
Furthermore, charities are trying to aim this at the audience who are parents and have children themselves. This is because children make people want to protect them and children are seen as inferior.

Camerawork analysis

1) Three Camera Shots:

-The opening zoom out distinctly shows a full view of a young boy jumping into the swimming pool. This shows that it's probably the summer holidays and that he's having fun.

-The dolly shot at 0.04 shows a view of a bunch of people having fun in the pool and the calmness of the scene.

-The backwards tracking shot at 0.39 evidently shows the intensity of the scene because Billy is made to seem as the superior character because all eyes are on him, This leads the audience to wanting to know why eyes are on him?

2) Two Camera Angles:

-The middle shot at 0.54 shows Billy and the girls in the background in full view. This scene perfectly shows that most females are staring at Billy because they find him attractive, and shows that Billy doesn't really care if they find him attractive because he's used to the stares.

-The extreme zoom in at 1.01 shows how intense the scene is. It shows that Billy is angry at the same kid that jumped into the pool because he was running. The extreme zoom on the boy also shows that Billy is specifically aiming it at the boy and that the boy feels scared and intimidated by Billy.

3) Analyse the Camera Movement:

-The camera movement at the start is calm, slow and relaxed and fits the perfect atmosphere for summer. This shows that summer is meant to be a relaxed and stress free  holiday.

-This all changes when the women at the sunbed start waiting on Billy to come. The camera movement starts moving even slower and the scene intensifies.

-Coming close to the middle of the scene, the camera starts to go between the little boy and Billy which shows that Billy and the little boy are in a form of communication and that Billy is telling the young boy off.

Blog Feedback and Learner Response

Marianna GCSE Media blog feedback – October 2019

Work expected:

·  Introductory questions

·  Key Concepts film poster analysis

·  Fruit bowl task (Photoshop)

·  Denotation and connotation

Post this in a new blog post on your Media blog called ‘October 2019 - Blog feedback and Learner Response’ then complete the LR tasks/questions below.

WWW:

·         Consistency in your blog posts makes your blog look very professional. Well done!

·         Completing work with great detail – shows that you really think about your work and care. Excellent work!

EBI:

·         Attempt extension tasks – these will steer you towards a higher level in Media Studies.

LR:

Complete and improve the following work urgently:

1) Key Concepts film poster analysis (blog)

·         Audience: what groups of people would be interested in watching this movie just by looking at the poster?

·         Representation: only focus on the WHO (people) being represented and HOW they are being represented – is this stereotypical of this genre or subversive?

2) Denotation and connotation (blog)

·        Complete the extension - https://mediamacguffingcseyear1.blogspot.com/2019/09/denotation-and-connotation.html

1)key concepts film poster analysis-

Audience:

This looks like the film could be targeted to a mixed gender audience. The age rating for Insidious might be 15 because of the certificate. The groups of people to be interested in this movie just by looking at ate poster are a mix of young adults female and males.

Representation:

The focal picture shows a young boy (perhaps 10-12?) who looks scared and worried. This is represented to show that he is possessed. This is stereotypical amongst the horror movie theme that the kids are being haunted.

2) Denotation and connotation;complete the extension-

This advert is particularly powerful in terms of its use of connotations and analyse because the French ministry of Health wanted to spread the word about the growing problem of childhood obesity, warning parents that "obesity starts at a young age". The print ad is plain but effective: it shows a fat belly on top of an ice cream cone. The creator/s of this content used bright and cheerful colours for the background but still manages to send a message to young kids and carers. The connotations for the ice cream cone with a fat belly on top is so that the belly can symbolise an ice cream and that that's how obesity starts, by kids eating sugary food such as ice cream.

Mise-en-scene Stranger Things Analysis

Watch the opening of television drama ‘Stranger Things’, a science fiction story set in the 1980s when four friends get wrapped up in a dangerous alternate universe.

Props:

For denotations, I can see bikes, a board-game, an old TV, rucksacks and a barking dog. The connotations behind the bikes is that it's a use of transport that the kids use to get back home. The connotations behind the board-game shows that they are still little kids playing board-games and that the whole game is foreshadowing the events that are about to occur. The connotations behind the the old TV indicates that it's set in the 1980's because the dad was trying to get it to work and the TV's in our generations are more high tech, The connotations behind the rucksacks shows that they are students in high school. Lastly, the connotations behind the dog barking is that the dog was only barking to show that there is a sign of threat near him and the dog was barking to signal that there is danger. The effect on the reader would be that the audience would know what the writer of the series wanted them to understand and know what the props mean.

Lighting:

For denotations, I can see green lights, a dark atmosphere and flickering lights. The connotations behind the green lights is that in the beginning of the clip, the green light came up to show danger and a somewhat monster and during when the young boy was at home peeking out the window the same green light came to show repetition. The connotation behind the dark atmosphere is to show the eerie and spooky side of the series, also to increase tension. The connotations behind the flickering lights is to also build tension. The writers done this so that the audience could feel scared.

Actions:

For denotations. I can see running, riding bikes and climbing the stairs. The connotations behind the running is to show that the kid is scared and trying to get out of there as soon as possible. The connotations behind the kids riding the bikes is to show the the kids were trying to get home and that they're children. The connotations behind climbing the stairs is that when the mum, came in to speak to Mike, he was rushing to see what his mum wants. The writer of the series made the action so that the audience can realise they're only kids who are acting normal but then have to go through adult things.

Denotation and Connotation

1) Write an analysis of the WaterAid advert above using denotation, connotation and analysis. What does the advert communicate to the audience?

In this media text, the denotations are: a young boy wearing a blue top who looks upset, beside him there's a clay wall, in the background you can see a house and some trees and lastly bold text. Connotations of the young boy who is not smiling is that he hasn't drank any water because of the area he's living there hardly might be any rain. The connotation of the blue top he's wearing is that it indicates life and health. The connotations of the bold text, "Dig toilets Not graves" infers that loads of people are dying from the lack of water and so they need to dig graves but there's less digging of toilets because no one is drinking water. The producers want to convey to their target audience that if people donate a few pounds to the company, they'll be able to dig more toilets so people can drink water and not die.

2) Now choose your own choice of advert from Google images. Save it to your documents, insert it into your blogpost and write an analysis using denotation and connotation, explaining what the advert is communicating to the audience.

In this media text, the denotations are: a little girl, the background is all grey and finally the bold, red and black text. The connotations for the little girl, Amy, is that she is upset because she is one of the 80,000 of people who is homeless and has to wake up on Christmas day without a roof over her head. The connotations for the grey background specifies that it's really depressing, lonely, sad and dingy; the company included the grey background to overpower the fact that grey is a dull colour and can fit in with the mention of kids being homeless on Christmas. The connotations for the bold, black text is to catch the eye of the reader to continue reading, also the colour black represents death and fear. This means that the people who are homeless are feeling scared because they have no where to live and some of them probably have kids. The connotations for the red, bold text symbolises danger and financial needs of survival and self-preservation. The producers/creators of the advert want to convey to their target audience that if people donate £3, they will try help the homeless families so the little children will have their Christmas back and can live their normal lives. Also, so that they can be saved and won't die in the streets but as an old age.

Extension- Print advert research: Read this design blog on some of the best print adverts of all time. Choose one advert that you feel is particularly powerful in terms of its use of connotations and analyse why it is so successful.

This advert is particularly powerful in terms of its use of connotations and analyse because the French ministry of Health wanted to spread the word about the growing problem of childhood obesity, warning parents that "obesity starts at a young age". The print ad is plain but effective: it shows a fat belly on top of an ice cream cone. The creator/s of this content used bright and cheerful colours for the background but still manages to send a message to young kids and carers. The connotations for the ice cream cone with a fat belly on top is so that the belly can symbolise an ice cream and that that's how obesity starts, by kids eating sugary food such as ice cream.

Key Concepts Film Poster Analysis

Language:

The title and tag-line, release date and the information about the company and director and follow the main aspects and conventions of a film poster. The effects created here is to show the audience when the movie was released and also if they wanted information on the company and director if they were interested on more horror/mystery movies like Insidious.

Industries:

This film was produced by Blumhouse Productions, FilmDistrict, Stage 6 Films, Alliance Communications, IM Global, Haunted Movies and The Astral Films who are all associated around the genre horror. It was administered by James Wan who is an Australian Film Director, Screenwriter and producer and is well known for directing the horror film Saw and creating Billy the Puppet.

Audience:

This looks like the film could be targeted to a mixed gender audience. The age rating for Insidious might be 15 because of the certificate. The groups of people to be interested in this movie just by looking at ate poster are a mix of young adults female and males.

Representation:

The focal picture shows a young boy (perhaps 10-12?) who looks scared and worried. This is represented to show that he is possessed. This is stereotypical amongst the horror movie theme that the kids are being haunted.

First Blog Task

1) Which part of the course are you looking forward to most?

The part of the course I'm looking forward to the most is starting on new projects and learning different skills each time.

2) What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in Media?

The knowledge and skills I hope to be learning in Media is my editing and computer skills.

3) What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media?

The grade I'm hoping to achieve in Media is 5, and if not 5 then I'd like something higher.

4) What was the last TV programme or film you watched?

The last film I watched on Netflix was 'After' and the last series on Netflix was 'The Vampire Diaries'.

5) Why do you think that TV programme or film appealed to an audience?

The film 'After' appealed to the audience because at the end of the film it was left on a cliffhanger and I think that would leave the audience wanting to know what will happen next, and for the series 'The Vampire Diaries' the whole series would leave the audience excited because there's always drama.

6) What technology have you used to access the media in the last 24 hours? (Radio, TV, phone etc.)

The technology I have used to access media in the last 24 hours was my phone.

7) What device do you use most to access the media?

The device I use the most to access media the most is my phone, my PS4 and my laptop.

8) Why was the casting of Jodie Whittaker a significant moment in the history of Doctor Who?

The casting of Jodie Whittaker was a significant moment in the history of Doctor Who because the main character 'The Doctor' has always changed into a different man, but when he changed into a woman, Jodie Whittaker, it shows that woman can be an important role model and leader.

9) What aspects of this scene do you think an audience might enjoy? List at least three things and explain why the audience would enjoy each aspect.

The three aspects of this scene that the audience might like is the bit where The doctor was giving a motivational speech to the new Doctor. This is because the song in the background made it moving, and what he was saying was really nice. The second aspect of this scene the audience might enjoy was the bit where he was turning into the new Doctor. This is because the audience were left anticipated on who it might be. The final aspect is at the end when the machine went wrong and she flew out. This is because the audience would want to know why this happened and what will happen next.

Extension question: What can you spot in Doctor Who that you will find in most television dramas? (E.g. characters, dramatic music etc.) These are called key conventions - list as many as you can think of. 

The curiosity of what will happen next, the dramatic music in the background and when the characters talk they make it suspenseful so that it could add on to the drama.

Extension question 2: What would a Doctor Who fan ('Whovian') particularly enjoy about this scene?

They would enjoy the scene where the new Doctor is revealed because they've been waiting to find out.