Men act and women appear - John Berger

When talking about representation (and especially the representation of men and women) John Berger is a useful voice to include in your discussions and essays.

Berger made four 30-minute films for the BBC in 1972 which later became the core of his book Ways of Seeing. In it Berger writes:

"One might simplify this by saying: men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at. This determines not only most relations between men and women but also the relation of women to themselves." (Ways of Seeing, p.47)

In your MS3 research investigations or your MS1 discussions of representation, you will find Berger's position here has been absorbed into most cultural and feminist criticism to the point where it is assumed or taken for granted (see for example, The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf for an example of this).

You should be aware though, of the limitations of Berger's perspective. Although wide-ranging in its references and survey of the visual arts, and a really useful starting point, Berger's work is perhaps not as useful as Laura Mulvey's multi-layered and more comprehensive 1975 essay "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema".

We'll examine Mulvey in more depth in another lesson and blog post, but there's nothing stopping you from reading her work and making up your own mind.



Further References:

John Berger

https://www.brainpickings.org/2012/09/28/ways-of-seeing-john-berger/


John Berger and Laura Mulvey

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cjas/dominguez1.html


This Is Not Sex: A Web Essay on the Male Gaze, Fashion Advertising, and the Pose

http://www.uvm.edu/~tstreete/powerpose/index.html


Bibliography

Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. New York: Penguin Putnam, 1972.

Mulvey, Laura. Visual and Other Pleasures. New York: Macmillan, 1989.

Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women. New York: Harper Perennial, 2002.

MS1 Exam Revision Sessions

As mentioned during the half term session on MS1 (to those who were there!) I run additional revision sessions  weekly on the lead up to the exam. Although I thought I would run these from next week, I can actually start this week!

So this week, afterschool in T1 until 4pm I will run a revision session. Also reminding Year 13 Resit candidates that we have an additional revision lesson that is compulsory Tuesday's lesson 2- Year 12's are also welcome.

Reminder that you guys should be following our department on Twitter for useful tweets relating to your exams!

@MediaStAlbans

RESIT candidates!!!

Wishing you all the very best for your exam tomorrow, praying that the stuff we've focused on comes up and that you all apply the knowledge and don't forget to plan your answers! Also remember to have breakfast, drink water (bring some to your exam!) and get some sleep!

Good news is you've all studied so do your very best!!!

See you in the morning, 

Mrs M

MS1 RESIT- Example Texts

I know that you are finishing off your little revision booklets and I thought I would share some interesting print texts as most people seemed to be lacking print examples. I would like to see the booklets again but fully complete on Monday along with your mock answers (see post on MOCK EXAM).

The texts below have been selected for a variety of reasons from interesting representations, target audiences or audience responses and some for all of the above. 

I would like to highlight a few...

• GQ received HUGE amounts of backlash via Twitter from the 1 Directioners as a fan base regarding their representation of the band on their special editions covers (there was one for each member) particularly Harry's as they felt he was misrepresented- it is worth noting that they (fans) are not actually the target audience for GQ!

• Pain and Gain could be used for  National and Regional Identities (as the DVD cover is very much americanised), Issues for representation of Crime as this was based on true events and gender. Also the victim has written an article explaining his version and complaining about the misrepresentation of the events and his character in the film.

• TIME, The Guardian and Rolling Stone all feature very different representations of the Boston bombing (event). Rolling Stone were heavily criticised for their cover of one of the bombers as it was claimed that they had glamourised and glorified him. 

• I particularly like the representation of Prince Charles on the Daily Mail, a lovely one to use for both events and age!

• The Impossible (2004 Tsunami) and Zero Dark Thirty (Hunt for Osama Bin Laden) are both based on true stories of real life events and could be used in an interesting way to discuss events. Their marketing also uses this to specifically target their audience

I also like the rest but feel they quite self explanatory. Hope this helps! 

EXTRA REVISION SESSIONS MS1

Hey guys,

I am sorting a few things to hopefully provide a few more sessions during the days so we may also have sessions Lesson 2 Monday and Lesson 1 Tuesday when I should have Year 11 who are doing their mocks. Will have to let you know first thing on Monday.

Sessions that WILL be happening:

• Monday lesson 1

• Monday lesson 6 (you could bring your lunch)

• Monday after school (this means no FILMCLUB)

• Tuesday lessons 2 (as normal) & 3

• Wednesday after school 

Also Mrs Davies and I are swapping lessons on Tuesday so you'll be with me lessons 5 & 7 where we will do some revision tasks and the rest of the class will be working on corrections for their Research Investigations

Can I please stress that if you have timetabled lessons when I am running a revision session you must attend your timetabled lesson! As a result the after school revision sessions, Tuesday lesson 2 and Tuesday lessons 5 & 7 are vital that you attend. The other sessions will be for you to all bring your individual concerns questions etc and to have a space to revise and complete mock questions etc. 

Any problems or questions let me know.

Cheers, Mrs M

RESIT: MS1 Audio-Visual Revision Material

So I have put my thinking hat on, trying to get my head around what audio-visual material may come up and so far here are my thoughts...

TV material has been used frequently:

- Great Expectations means that historical drama would probably be ruled out for film too

- Rugby last year means that anything sports related is likely to be ignored

- News has been used a few years ago so may not come up.

Soooo I am hoping that this means either a film trailers, adverts, film or game extracts or music video. I would be surprised if music video comes up as there is not much coverage of the music industry within the course. It's been a big year for both the film and gaming industry so in an ideal world we would see a film trailer or advert for a game, which would play to your strengths having started studying gaming and advertising industry for Year 13 and focusing on the Film industry for coursework for Year 12 and 13.

As we know none of this is set in stone but it helps to be extra prepared in areas that are likely to come up whilst making sure you are prepared for all potential topics. 

I am posting links for some material that I hope is along the lines of potential exam material for you to practice question 1 textual analysis and make notes on the representations within the texts as well as  audiences, targeting and responses for questions 2 and 3. Please remember that extracts or the openings could come up rather than the trailers/adverts. 

• The Great Gatsby Film Trailer

http://youtu.be/TaBVLhcHcc0

• Bioshock Infinite Game Advert 

 http://youtu.be/XP1t9_EJL-Y

• Gravity Trailer

http://youtu.be/bXgOaeDfmRQ

• Tomb Raider Survivor Advert

http://youtu.be/6-1Xn0hZsIw

• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Trailer

http://youtu.be/keT5CRhhy84

• Sims 4 Advert

http://youtu.be/jSV-A6IDKWY

Hope this is helpful! Will post again tomorrow with some more revision tips and support! 

By the way, Happy New Year! 

MS1 Resit Candidates- MOCK EXAM

Please complete the mock exam below BY MONDAY 6TH JANUARY to ensure that I can mark it Monday and return it to you for Tuesday. Please stick to the suggested times as this will give you a better chance of seeing how prepared you are. On Tuesday we will go over the A grade response to this exam paper.

WJEC AS MEDIA STUDIES MS1

Media Representations and Responses

 

Sample Exam

2 ½ hours

 

Answer all three questions.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

·         The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.

·         You are reminded that assessment will take into account the quality of written communication used in your answers.

·         No certificate will be awarded to a candidate detected in any unfair practice.

 

You have two minutes to study the questions before the following:

Study the two Film Trailers for Sherlock Holmes (2010) and Nowhere Boy (2010) - 

EACH TRAILER WILL BE PLAYED 6 TIMES: FOR THE FIRST TWO PLAYS OF EACH TRAILER JUST WATCH. YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE NOTES FOR THE REMAINING 4 PLAYS.

 

THERE WILL BE A GAP OF 10 MINUTES WHEN YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE FURTHER NOTES.

 

BOTH TRAILERS WILL THEN BE PLAYED FOUR TIMES AGAIN WHEN YOU ARE AS BEFORE, ADVISED TO TAKE NOTES.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0hXhGt5XPg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzvS78qO0uI

 

1.

Analyse how narrative and audio-visual codes are used to construct the trailers.                 (40)

                                                                                                                                                                  

2.

(a) Choose one of the film trailers.  Suggest two different audiences and give brief reasons for your choice.        (6)

(b) Explore how the trailer you have chosen in 2a attempts to target audiences.             (9)

(c) In what ways do different audiences respond differently to the same media text? Refer to your own detailed examples.                 (15)

 

3.

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the different representations of masculinity in the media today.                 (30)

MS1 Representation

Hi all,

Hope you had a brilliant Christmas! I will be posting quite a few things this week, particularly in preparation for the MS1 Resit next week! I will post a mock on here to be completed FULLY and handed in on the Monday so that I can mark it for you and return it on the Tuesday. 

Anyway... I watched a very challenging, interesting and thought provoking video that summed up the representation of women in the Media in 2013. This was made by an American group called The  Representation  Project, their website is below, have a nose at their posts and resources etc. 

http://therepresentationproject.org/

MESSAGE-Year 13

So very sorry guys but I am not in as my little boy is poorly! 

SOOO...I should be in tomorrow and I know that many of you have WBAC this week but if you are doing the resit exam I  NEED to teach you guys on Thursday for the double instead of my year 12's. Can you please tell Ms Margerison? If you leave your booklets and any work to be marked on my desk I'll do it for Thursday.

Check out this link for a great media blog with plenty of info on theory. Can you familiarise yourself with this and your media theory booklets for Thursday and make sure you bring them in with pink booklets etc. 

http://media-radar.blogspot.co.uk/p/theory.html?m=1

  

Thursday's Resit lessons 5 & 7 are COMPULSORY if you are resitting MS1 so make sure you are there. Callum if you can join us too please?

For today's lesson work on your investigations. A BIG plea is that you use the booklets, examples and videos etc that I have provided you as it will be obvious if you have not. Reminder that deadline is Thursday.

Secret Santa is today and I'm sad to not be there but I have left a big Merry Christmas gift bag for you to leave your pressies in to swap them. Luckily my neighbour is delivering my pressie for the person I have. Hope it's fun! 

See you tomorrow!

Mrs M 

Resit Candidates- MS1 Media Theory

This link is to another Media teacher's blog and their post on a 'Rough Guide to Media Theory'. Please have nose prior to our lesson next Tuesday. Also have a peek at some of the other posts, they are really good! 

http://brianair.wordpress.com/film-theory/rough-guide-to-media-theory/

MS1 Resit Exam Overview

This document gives a great summary of the exam and some tips on timing and structure- we will discuss this further in the morning. 

A reminder that WJEC have confirmed that your exam will be audio-visual based.

http://www.slideshare.net/ddoggart/ms1-summary-of-exam

IMPORTANT! Year 13 Resit Candidates

Your exam is a month today! You must be at tomorrow's resit lesson, period 2. I will need all tasks set so far to be submitted so that they can be marked and returned to you for next week. I will be handing out essential revision tools tomorrow and setting an important task. 

Tasks set so far- 

- Representation examples (text for each type of representation) 

- GQ and Saga past paper answers in bullet point format

- Sims 2 and Kidulthood past paper answers in bullet point format

Tomorrow we are looking at theories and refreshing on exam technique. Please bring your Media theory booklets (the pretty one's), your pink revision booklet and any outstanding work.

Thanks, Mrs M  

Year 13 RESIT Group

Update for you all guys, is that I will be meeting with MS1 Exam resit candidates every Tuesday until the exam in January. Following the exam I will run the MS2 Coursework resit class from January to the end of April (if needed). This will help support you all fully whilst giving you the attention and time needed to improve your work. However if you are resitting coursework, it would be wise to begin improving your work in your own time, especially if you are applying to studying Media at University as you should include your coursework in your portfolio. If you work on your coursework before January and you want advice or your work remarked please speak to me.

Tomorrow will be for exam candidates so please bring the work set from last week on the blog.

Thanks, Mrs McCarthy

Year 13 Resit Task

Apologies all but as my little boy is unwell I am not going to be in today. 

Please can you use your time to ensure the following items are done for tomorrow's lesson with me where I can collect them from you. 

- Last weeks Resit task of bullet pointing your responses to the past paper on GQ and Saga magazines. Respond on your blog but also please print a copy. 

- On the common in the Year 13 2013 folder I have saved a PPT presentation called NEW Introduction to Representation. Either print a copy or save it to your memory stick. Complete the task at the end of the PPT. This task is due in next Tuesday. I am looking at your ability to select appropriate examples and discuss their representations as you would in the exam.

Coursework candidates:

- You should have a mood board of DVD covers and posters from your genre that are inspirational to you. Please post this on your blog by tomorrow.

- Ensure that you have posted and discussed your 2/3 examples to compare your production work to. Make sure that there are obvious elements that you can compare. 

- We will be discussing scripts and storyboards next week. Can you please watch the opening scenes of 3 films within your genre. Write a brief analysis of each and post on your blog by next Tuesday. You should discuss dialogue, setting, introduction to character, music and sound, establishing shots. If you are doing a story board consider shot type, shot duration and transitions. Those doing script please discuss how the narrative has been introduced and how has the audience been hooked. 

Please get these tasks done so we are able to move on next week.

Thanks, Mrs McCarthy

Year 12 MS1 Representation Task

Using the aspects of representation (Gender, Age, Events, Issues, Ethnicity, National & Regional Identity), you must select a text for each area that highlights an interesting type of representation. Ensure you use a variety of media forms for your examples and provide a detailed and thorough explanation as to what kind of representation the text provides .

RESPOND ON YOUR BLOGS, YOU MAY USE IMAGES TO SUPPORT YOUR POINTS. YOU SHOULD PRINT A COPY ALSO TO HAND IN, DEADLINE IS TOMORROW LESSON 7 AND YOU MAY USE LESSON TIME.

MS1 Resit Task

 

Write bullet points for each of the three questions listing as many ideas as possible.

THIS IS DUE IN NEXT TUESDAY LESSON 2.

Study the front covers for

GQ (December 09) and Saga Magazine (November 09).

1.

Analyse the front covers for both GQ and Saga magazines commenting on:

• visual codes

• layout and design

• language and mode of address. [40]

 

2.

(a) Study the front cover for GQ magazine. Suggest two different audiences for this

magazine. [4]

(b)

Study the front cover for Saga Magazine aimed at people over 50. Explore how this

audience has been targeted. [10]

(c)

With reference to your own detailed examples, explore how media texts target different

audiences. [16]

 
3. Using your own detailed examples, explore representations of age in the media today. [30]

Game Console Adverts Textual Analysis

So as you all probably know, November brings the release of not one but two new consoles! Both PS4 and X-Box One are eagerly anticipated in the gaming market and for both Year 12 and 13 the adverts below should be of great interest. For Year 13 as you are studying the Games Industry this is obviously relevent and for Year 12 and any MS1 resit students these adverts could be excellent examples to discuss in your exam.

Watch the videos and along with the usual analysis aspects such as visual, audio and technical codes, I would like you all to consider how the audiences are targeted and appealed to in each advert.

X-BOX ONE- INVITATION

PS4- GREATNESS AWAITS

 

PS4- PERFECT DAY

Year 12 Narrative Tasks

Introduction to Narrative

Task 1- Using stock images construct a photostory or a digital storyboard of your day so far.
Then consider:

• What aspects of the narrative have you selected and why?
• What have you selected and why?
• Whether your 'story' is linear or moves about in time.
• What camera shots you have used and their effect.

Year 13 Resits

Message for all Year 13 pupils who have chosen to resit AS coursework and/or exam. T1 has been booked every Tuesday lesson 2 and my time has been protected so that we can meet weekly. It is very important that you attend  although you may not always be kept for the hour, you will need to collect work and hand in work regularly.

Tomorrow (22nd October) we will be analysing the Exam report looking at BOTH MS1 & MS2 so please ensure you attend.

Thanks, Mrs McCarthy

SOMETHING TO ENCOURAGE YOU ...

Guide to Editing

BFI's Introduction to Editing

 

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/education/teachingwithfilm/introtoediting.html


Both classes have seen these videos before but it is good to have this link saved as it is an extremely useful resource. Year 12 this will help you with your textual analysis skills and support your coursework later this year. Year 13, please watch these videos again to help you prepare for your own filming and editing.