Production, Distribution and Exhibition - News Corp

Three other companies that News Corp own that could be used to market or exhibit a new film released by 20th Century Fox in the UK;

BSkyB - They could use Sky TV channels to market the film by showing it's trailers, showing interviews with the cast and 


The Sun -  Posters for the film could appear in The Sun newspaper, as well as reviews and written interviews or stories about the cast.


MySpace - They could feature trailers of the film on the website, or redesign the homepage to make it themed, and it could also be used for viral marketing campaigns.

Mass Audience

Some media texts that I use are films, TV, the internet and magazines. I watch films and TV mostly for entertainment, but sometimes also to get information (the news), for education (documentaries) and for social reasons (if I want to join into a discussion about a film or TV series that people I know have watched).

An example of where I have been influenced by media would be going to see a film after watching the trailer on the TV/ Internet or reading a review of it. Also, after seeing a documentary on a certain topic, I've either changed my opinion, or become more interested in that issue.

I think that mass audience theories are not as applicable in modern times because we have so much choice over the media that we use, that the audiences for particular things may not be so varied. Also through the internet, we can discuss the media text, giving the audience more power than before. In my opinion, the hypodermic needle theory is much too limited, 

Audience Theories

Hyperdermic Needle Model;

• This theory says that audiences take in the information that they see, and just accept it rather than questioning it. 
• From the 1920's, when media was quite a new thing

Film industry example;

Uses and Gratification Theory

• This theory states that people will use different media texts in different ways.
• There are 4 ways in which people may use these texts

1. Entertainment / Diversion - when people use the media text because they enjoy it, or as an escape from everyday life
2. Information - when people it as a source of information, or for education purposes
3. Social Relationships - using the media text as a part of their social life, or as another form of socialising
4. Personal Identity - when people can relate to the media text, or when it reflects their own life aspirations

Film industry examples;

Comedy films could be watched for entertainment, whereas a documentary film may be watched because the viewer wants to gain knowledge on the topic. Some viewers may watch a film because it reflects their own life or experiences, for example teenagers may prefer to watch a film with teenage or young adult characters, as it would be easier for them to relate to the characters. You may also go to see a film with your friends as part of a social activity and so that you can be part of the discussion.

Reception Theory

• This theory states that the same media text could be interpreted in different ways by different people
• Their interpretation could be affected by their life experiences or their culture/background, and people with the same culture are more likely to interpret it in a similar way
• A preferred reading is when the viewer takes the view of the media text that was intended by the institution or creator of the text.
• An oppositional reading is when the viewer disagree with the intended message of the media text

Film industry example;

Working Title Films & Their Success

Four Weddings and a Funeral;
Budget of $4.5 million and grossed $244 million worldwide, meaning a profit of $239 million. The film is a romantic comedy, and at the time of release in 1994 it was the highest grossing British film of all time.

Shaun of the Dead;
Budget of £4 million, grossed $13.5 million (£8.6 million). The film is a horror comedy, starring Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield and Simon Pegg and was released in 2004.

Johnny English Reborn;
Budget of $45 million, and grossed $8 million, meaning a loss of $37 million. The film is an adventure comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike and Dominic West and was released in 2011.

He's Just Not That Into You;
Budget of $40 million, grossed $165 million, meaning a profit of $125 million. The film is a comedy/drama/romance, starring Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly and Morgan Lily and was released in 2009.

Notting Hill;
Budget of $42 million, grossed $247 million, meaning a profit of $205 million. The film is a romantic comedy, starring Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts and Richard McCabe and was released in 1999.

Bridget Jones Diary;
Had a budget of $26 million, grossed $71.5 million, meaning a profit of $45.5 million. The film is a romantic comedy, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant and was released in 2001.

We have noticed a pattern in that the most successful Working Title films are romantic comedies or comedies of another type.

Representation of Disability in Secret Diary of a Call Girl

 How is the representation of disability created through the use of camera, editing sound and mise en scene in this clip from Secret Diary of a Call Girl?

In this clip from Secret Diary of a Call Girl, disability is represented by one central character (Blake), as well as the reactions of the other characters in the scene. In my opinion, this is a unique way of representing those with disabilities because we are shown three different perspectives, one or more of which may echo our own views or experiences. This immediately makes the audience sensitive to the issue being explored.

From the very first scene, we know that disability will be a big part of the storyline of the clip because of the camera work. As the female character (the call girl) opens the door, we are shown a shot of Blake and his dad, however the shot purposely starts too high up and quickly moves downwards until we see a medium shot of Blake. This is also shot from the woman's point of view, which demonstrates that she is having to adjust herself to the fact that Blake is disabled. In this scene, we discover that Blake is disabled through the use of a wheelchair - a universal and instantly recognisable symbol of disability.

In my opinion, the editing in the clip is used mostly to demonstrate Blake's reliance on others and his father's concern about the situation. After his father leaves the house and goes outside to the car, there are jumps cuts between each action rather than a continuous shot, which shows that time is passing very slowly for him. Also, the mis en scene - the enclosed space of the car, the fiddly actions of the father and the fact that we are seeing through a window - reflecting his feeling of being stuck in a situation he is not entirely clear about or comfortable in.  A connection between this and representations of disability go, would be that it allows the audience to notice an elevated sense of protectiveness towards his son due to his vulnerable position and we realise his reaction may have been different had he not been disabled. 


In addition to this, Blake's interaction with the call girl in the final scene and the way it's handled

Blackpool - Representation of Age, Family and Relationships

At the very start of the clip, the camera pans slowly from the floor upwards to reveal a couple sitting on a sofa. This movement of the camera from a low point, in combination with the fact that the shot is a medium shot and that the camera's moving slowly gives off the impression that the couple are quite average, normal or even boring. I think this is because it indicates that there is nothing in particular about them that stands out, or that we should focus on and also, the speed of the camera shows that there is nothing spontaneous or exciting about them. The non-diagetic music that is being played over this scene supports this belief, as it has a slow tempo, and the notes are dragged out. So far, in my opinion, they embody the stereotype of a middle aged husband and wife. As far as their relationship goes, it seems they are equals, due to the fact that they are both given the same type of close-up shot and that they talk to each other in similar tones of voice. However, the fact that they are sitting up straight, and slightly apart shows that they are either on edge about something, or are concerned with coming across 'properly' (well put together, and not too affectionate) to whoever is visiting.

Next, we see their daughter come into the house, and introduce her new boyfriend 'Steve' to them. During this scene, I think that the sound and mise en scene really affect the representations of the relationship between the characters. When Steve entered the room, I immediately notice a stark difference between him and the parents - whilst they are wearing warm, bright colours such as orange, pink and brown, Steve is clothed completely in black and dark blue. This shows the audience that he is the 'odd one out' in situation, and is an outsider in their household; it may also show the sense of reservation that the couple feel towards this man, which is also reflected in their shocked expressions. In contrast to this, the daughter is wearing a light grey top and black trousers, showing us that she has a connection to both her parents and Steve. The quiet, non-diagetic sound creates an 'awkward silence' type atmosphere, as does the flat tone of voice that the couple use, however Steve's tone of voice shows that he is confident and wants to impress.

During the conversation scene, more about the structure of this family is revealed. This is mostly due to the contrast between the tone of voice of the 'mum' and 'dad' characters, the woman's voice is much more gentle and open, whereas the man sounds skeptical and slightly irritated. This could hint at the fact that the mum is the one who gives her daughter more freedom, and wants to be accepting of her new boyfriend, or at least give him a chance. The dad, on the other hand is clearly hesitant to get to know Steve. This is a common representation of family life, the father who is very protective of his daughter and the mother who understands more what it is like to be a young girl.

As far as representations of age go, there is quite a diverse range, the camera seems to move more slowly around the two middle aged parents than it does around the daughter. This could show that they are more old fashioned, and are set in their ways. There is a larger range of camera angles and shot types when it comes to the daughter, and the editing is faster, making her seem more spontaneous and unpredictable - it seems that the usual representation of young girls is that they live fast and their parents don't really understand their choices in life. However, the diversity is increased with the fact that we have another older character, Steve

Representation of Gender - Primeval Clip Analysis

How is gender represented, through aural language, in this clip from Primeval?

From the beginning of this clip, we are provided with representations of gender through aural language - the very first thing we hear are two voices having a conversation, one female and one male.  The male voice sounds calm and in control, whereas the female one sounds panicky and flustered, this is then followed by another male character saying 'Let her go', indicating that he is not too concerned about the emotions of the woman. It could be argued these are quite stereotypical representations of the two genders - an overly emotional, distressed woman and two men that seem in control of the situation, and not too bothered, but in my opinion too few characters have been shown at this point to gauge the overall representations.

Shortly after this scene, these stereotypes are shattered when we hear the diagetic sound of a JCB truck, and on screen it is revealed that another female character is driving it. Although a male character - who I assume to be the protagonist due to the amount of screen time and close up shots he recieves - at one point shouts instructions at her, she seems to be completely confident in her ability to resolve the situation, or at least help him out. In the rest of the clip, this woman is shown to be strong through her association with the most loud and powerful diagetic sounds  - the sound of the JCB truck, the sound of the rifle being shot