Exam Revision....

Animated Film....

2009-05-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

1. What techniques are used to attract the target audience for this animated film?

The clip starts with a disruption as we can clearly see some of the characters are trapped in a dungeon. The dungeon is a typical location and is a symbolic and historical code that helps to anchor the genre, as fairytale.

In the dungeon we are introduced to a character who is clearly a villain and maybe the main antagonist. The dress code is very telling, the red and regal outfit is a signifier that could connote blood and power. The style of the outfit is a cultural code and connotes that the film is probably set in ancient Eygypt. The villain has a deep tone of voice and has very formal mode of address, again connoting that he is some kind of powerful, regal villain.

We are then introduced the villains helper, a bird that speaks. Personification is common in animated films and this technique suggests that the primary target audience is probably children.

The music bed in the opening scenes is non-diegetic and is both sinister and playful, this connotes that although the evil is at work, good times may be round the corner.

The lighting in the opening scenes is low key to help connote darkness and evil but saturated colours are used in the animation to create that bright exciting feel that animations made using CGI(computer generated imagery) often have.

We are then introduced to Alladin, who at this point can be seen as a damsel-in-distress but will of course become the hero, he is our main protaganist. A high angle shot of Alladin shows him cowering on the dungeon floor, this shot helps connote his helplesness and the following low angle shot of the man who opens the dungeon door, gives all the power to the huge villain.

Back in the original dungeon we are introduced to the princess and her helper, both common characters in a fairytale genre and both dressed in costumes that are again cultural and historical codes that help anchor the time and place.

The main antagonist then shows his magic abilities by flying across the room, this is a gesture code which anchors the genre as fairytale or fantasy and helps give the text a high level of generic versimilitude.

We are then introduced through a long shot to a sword, the sword is once again an historical code and the diegetic sound of the sword being sharpened is foreboding and makes the audience feel uneasy, all the time increasing the power of the disruption.

The narrative is multi-strand as aside from the issue of the battle of binary opposites, good versus evil, other narratives are apparent, such as the conscience of the bird, trust and romance.

The text satisfies our need for diversion(uses and gratification theory) and for some audience members, particularly children the characters and their plights may resonate very strongly, for example; trusting your friends, initial feelings of romance, being persuaded by evil, listening to your conscience. So on some level, the audiences need to be able to personally identify with the text is being satisfied.

Finally the characters and the themes have been chosen very carefully in order to allow its young primary target audience to create personal relationships, through discussing the film or even taking on character roles when indulging in creative play with their friends.

2. Create some ideas for your own animated film aimed at young children by completing the following tasks....

Think of an appropriate title
List the characters involved
Create a storyboard that briefly explains the narrative of the film
Explain your ideas for the film

Title: Hungry Hippos

Characters:
Harry the Hippo = Hero (Voice-over= Tom Hanks)
Terry Tortoise = Helper (Voice-over= Jack Black)
Henrietta Hippo = Damsel-in-distress ( Jennifer Aniston)
Hardy Hippo = Villain (Al Pacino)
Freddie finch and the finches = Villain's helpers (Lee Evans = Freddie)

Storyboard: Click to enlarge

Explanation of ideas:
My film will include the traditional equilibrium, as we are introduced to characters of Harry and Henrietta and will then enter into a disruption as the villains are introduced. The main antagonist is Hardy Hippo who is always trying to steal Henrietta as she is the famous princess Henrietta who is heir to the throne. Her Father is about to die, leaving her great wealth.

The disruption happens when Hardy and his helpers the evil finches hatch a plan to kidnapp Henrietta, however the resolution comes when Harry aided by his sidekick and helper terry the tortoise muscle in and save the day.

The voice-overs for the characters will be the people mentioned above, as they are star vehicles and would help attract both the primary target audience of children and the secondary target audience of adults.

The non-diegetic music bed for the fight scene will be fast paced and connote excitement and the locations will be set around a huge lake that is part of a jungle, the locations and inclusion of other animals will give the film a high level of generic verisimilitude.

Some of the characters will be the people of the local tribe, their dress will be important as it will be a cultural code that anchors the location of the film, their head dresses and spears being symbolic codes that make us think of Africa.

The genre of the film is family adventure and the characters will help anchor the genre. By using personification, including animals that can talk and using gesture codes that we associate with humans, the film will appeal to its target audience.

The narrative will be multi-strand as it will include various themes, including, love, honour, trust and flight.

A variety of camera shots will be used and to start with there will be plenty of low-angle shots of Hardy the Hippo, to show he is the villain and very powerful. A series of two-shots of Harry and Henrietta will be used to illustrate their blossoming romance. A variety of close-ups will also be used to show the funny facial expressions of Terry the tortoise who is always scared but too slow to get out of trouble.

The text satisfies our need for diversion (uses and gratification theory) and for some audience members, particularly children the characters and their plights may resonate very strongly, for example; trusting your friends, initial feelings of romance, being persuaded by evil, listening to your conscience. So on some level, the audiences need to be able to personally identify with the text is being satisfied.

Finally the characters and the themes have been chosen very carefully in order to allow its young primary target audience to create personal relationships, through discussing the film or even taking on character roles when indulging in creative play with their friends.

3. Chose one of the characters from the clip and explain how they might appeal to the target audience.

I have chosen to look at Harry the Hippo. Harry is the hero of the film, the protagonist, therefore the main character, the one that people remember.

Harry is created by using CGI and through the technique of personification, this makes Harry into a real person almost.Harry's facial expressions and gesture codes help connote a sense of safety and calmness he is funny and clumsy but brave and bold.

Harry is played by Tom Hanks, who is a star vehicle with a tone of voice is quite high and non-threatening, juxtaposed against the villain of the piece, the evil deep voiced Hardy (Al Pacino). Harry is quite cute and cuddly and would appeal to the young target audience.

The nature of Harry's adventures and the themes of the film would hopefully resonate with a young audience and young boys in particular may be able to personally identify with his plight.

The idea of growing up and the dangers you face in doing so will run very heavily through the film and and young people may be able to identify with this or indeed form personal relationships on the back of this film. Young people may play out scenes from the film or talk about their favourite parts with Harry in.

Harry would also appeal to the target audience through forms of merchandise, many young people may want to cuddle Harry up before they go to sleep or see him on their lunch box or wallpaper.

4. Animated films are very popular with children and families. How do organisations sell animated films to family audiences.

First of all the content of the film is very important, family orientated themes help to attract the target audience, stories of bravery, morality and truth, help attract families who want their children to learn certain values.

The narratives and scripts are also multi-layered, polysemic, so they appeal to both the primary and secondary target audiences creating a variety of preferred readings, including adult innuendos that children would not pick up on but also visual slap-stick comedy that children love.

The characters are also really important, as the voice-over is normally read by star-vehicles. This leads into the the uses and gratification theory, animated films satisfy our need in several different ways.

Diversion - because they are funny and emotional
Personal identity - we can identify with the plight of the characters
personal relationships - we form relationships by talking about our favourite, film, charcater, song etc.

All these needs that we have talked about in the uses and gratification theory are all then satisfied again and again once the film has been seen and has entered our psyche.

Once people have seen the film, the real marketing of families begins. Many of the multi-national organisations that create animated films are based in Hollywood and not only do these organisations own animated films studios, they also own many other forms of media.

For example, Warner Bros own, radio stations, TV stations, other film studios etc.
This allows them to promote their animated films through many different forms of media, through trailers, reviews, interviews with the voice-over stars etc; all broadcast through various channels that appeal to their specific target audience, for example on the looney tunes channel.

These organisations also have the ability to create masses of merchandise that appeals to family audiences. Massive companies like Warner Bros also own music labels, video game companies, board game creators and publishing companies, when companies buy out other companies in different areas, other than film, this is called vertical integration.

These huge companies then provide a huge range of merchandise to appeal to all the family and this merchandise is branded, so as soon as you see a certain colour, location, catchphrase or character emblazened across the duvet, lunch box, toy, tie, stationary, t-shirt, video game, poster, special edition DVD, bicycle, go-cart, Mcdonald's happy meal, packet of sweets, cuddly toy, fairground ride, CD, you know what film it is from, this is called media synergy.

Disney take this one step further and there is a theory called Disneyfication that suggests that Disney creates a sugar coated world that encourages us to buy into that 'happy feeling' and in turn buy their merchandise.

Disney even own huge theme parks where you can spend your entire holiday giving Disney money and then when you get home you can look back on that happy time and buy more Disney merchandise because that is what you need, to keep you happy!

Need to Know for Animated film....all 4 questions......

Signifiers and connotes

Historical/symbolic/cultural/dress codes

Camera Angles: Establishing/long/close-up/two-shot/tracking/high-angle/low-angle

Juxtaposition: old/new..... good/evil....formal/informal.......rich/poor......powerful/weak.

Mode of address: informal/formal.....direct/indirect

Enigmas

Music Beds + Diegetic/non-diegetic sound.

Propp: Hero/villain/helper/damsel-in-distress

Tordorov: Equilibrium/disruption/resolution

Uses and gratification theory

Surveillance
Diversion
Personal Identity
Personal Relationships

Type of animation: Anime/CGI

Themes/narrative: Love/bravery/morality/truth/good vs evil

multi-national organisations

voice-over stars

merchandise

vertical integration.

media synergy.

Possible Q1's......

What common conventions of animated film are apparent in the clip?

Choose two different types of sound from the clip and explain why they have been used.

Choose two of the following and explain how they are used in this clip

Camera shots
Music
Dress

View the clip. How are images and sound used to attract the audience?

What techniques are used to attract the target audience for the animated film?

Possible Q2's.........

Plan an animated film aimed at teenagers

Think of an appropriate name
Write a brief summary of the main storyline
Create a storyboard to explain your ideas
Explain how you would market the film

Plan an animated film for an audience of your choice by completing the following tasks...

Suggest a title
Explain your target audience and why you have chosen them
Sketch two of the main characters and explain their role
Explain some of the key selling points of the film
Explain some of the problems you might face in producing the film.

Possible Q3's

What are the typical features of animated films that aimed at children?

Why are the themes of animated films important?

Why are animated films popular with families?

Possible Q4's

Briefly explain two ways in which animated films are marketed by film companies.

What strategies do film companies use to audiences to animated films?

Choose two of the following and explain why they are used when promoting animated films.

Celebrities
Music
Merchandise
Slogans

Online News

2009-03-30T05:46:00.000-07:00

>Example exam and answers......

1. Have a look at the homepage below and explain the techniques used to attract the target audience.

Newsround website (Note homepage will change as linked to live page)

The Newsround website has a primary target audience of teenagers and young people, so a lot of the news on the website is soft news, news that is not too serious or too daunting for young people.

The website uses a variety of techniques that are commonplace on news websites. Firstly the colours are bold saturated colours, that connote excitement and energy.

The website also has an iconic banner that incorporates the logo for the website and the CBBC logo, that is probably a hyperlink to the CBBC website.

The website has a search bar on the top of the page allowing users to search other areas of the BBC website.

Within the iconic banner we see several icons that are again probably hyperlinks to other areas of the newsround website. We can tell that the website is encouraging users to be interactive as all the icons are connoting interactivity, through taking part in games, or quizzes or even chatting with other users. User participation is obviously strongly encouraged and this is evident through the link to the 'presspackers' section, an area where young people are the reporters, participating in actually creating the content of the website.

On the left hand site of the website there is an index and archive which houses a variety of videos and pictures, both important visual signifiers used to attract a young target audience.

The furniture is arranged into three columns with some boxes coloured differently from the background, making the layout easy to navigate around.

There is a main story on the homepage surrounded by a variety of nibs and plugs, no story is explained in detail, they are all just little enigmas that are hyperlinked to more detailed information. Having a variety of stories is important on a website like newsround as different age groups will be attracted to different types of stories.

The content of the website is varied and suitable to young people and in considering the uses and gratifications theory, the website offers a level of diversion to its users, as it has games and chat rooms. The website also satisfies the users needs for surveillance, as it is providing a huge variety of information.

The chat rooms give the users chance to interact, in turn forming personal relationships. One of the stories has headline that is a rhetorical question and a link to a chat room, posing the question, 'what does your family row about'. Users may well emapathise with other users responses in turn feeling a level of personal identity.

The variety of stories on the website naturally link to commonly known 'news values'. For example the news stories regarding the rare frogs and the man skydiving into a volcano have an obvious level of uniqueness as they are unusual stories.

None of the stories visible on the homepage have a high level of negativity as this would not attract a young target audience.

Several of the stories would come under the news value of currency as they are stories that are popular and widespread at the moment, for example, Liverpool slipping up in the title race. The Liverpool story has a high level of currency as the season is coming to and end and the question of who will win the title is big news.

One of the sports stories poses another rhetorical question, asking who will be the new captain of the British Lions rugby team. The picture shows a possible candidate, it could be argued that the new captain could be a hero or a protagonist. The media like to create heroes and villains, protagonists and antagonists as these characters help create narratives in the news.

2. Design a homepage for news based website targeted at a teenage audience.

Task 1: Suggest a brand name and web address for the site.

Task 2: Sketch out how you would like the homepage to look and annotate your drawing.

Task 3: Briefly explain your layout.

Task 4: Explain how you have constructed your website in a manner that appeals to the target audience.

1. www.streetwise.co.uk........The name connotes that young people will get to know the word on the street, this is appropriate language for teenagers.

2.

3. The layout is clear and concise and is designed to be easy for the user to navigate around.
At the top of the website there is an iconic banner that contains the title of the site and the strapline.

The title is ‘Streetwise’ the word street is a signifier that is associated with the language of young people and is juxtaposed with the word ‘wise’ that connotes users will become more knowledgeable as a result of using this website. The strapline is a signifier that connotes that the news on the website is fresh and immediate. The red writing that connotes fire, heat and excitement is juxtaposed against the cold blue background.

On the left of the website there is an index that is made up of subtitles that are hyperlinks. We can tell that they are hyperlinks as they are underlined, they are also rollover buttons and the text changes colour when the cursor rolls over them.

The search bar at the top is easily visible and accessible so users can navigate there way around the site by typing in keywords.

On the right hand side there is an advert, adverts help fund the website and this particular one is aimed directly act that primary target audience of teenagers.

In the centre of the page is the main story, a headline leads in to the main body of the story and the story has various news values, including proximity, (closeness to home) uniqueness, (unusual) negativity (could be bad news if it gets worse) and currency (it is a story that is popular at the moment).

There is a picture underneath the main story that acts as a visual trigger and draws the attention of the user.

In the bottom right hand corner there is an archive of video links, the words are again rollover buttons and are hyperlinked to the relevant videos. The stories have news values of uniqueness and the Girls Aloud story uses star vehicles to attract the readers.

The box at the centre in the bottom contains breaking news, giving a feeling of immediacy. The headline below the breaking news is an example of a nib (news in brief) this is of course a hyperlink to the relevant article.

The final piece of furniture contains a link to sign up for the latest podcasts. Podcasts are very popular with young people and this facility means the news itself becomes mobile.

4. The website will appeal to the target audience because it encourages user participation with the online polls, your views section and even a chat room. There is also a hyperlink to a games section where users can enjoy themselves.

Users can watch videos of the news in addition to seeing pictures, this visual stimulus is important for younger users who are use to fast navigation on social networking sites.

The content of the website is designed to suit the needs of a young audience and in considering the uses and gratification theory, the site offers a level of diversion by giving the users the opportunity to watch unusual videos and play games.

The site also addresses the audience’s need for surveillance with a variety of news with various news values.

The stories on the website are ones that young people can personally identify with, as everyone is in fear of getting swine flu and some people may be entering year 9 may miss out on exams.

The videos and various articles on the website also satisfy the audience’s need to form personal relationships as they are stories that interest young people and cover issues that tare popular.

There is also a chat room where people can form personal relationships through discussing the issues covered on the website.

Question 3: Explain why the news values are appropriate for the target audience.

There are a range of news values that apply to news stories, most hard news stories have a level of negativity, they are serious and are presented through a formal mode-of-address.

The stories on the newsround website are not often negative because the primary target audience is younger people. There are various stories on the newsround website that would come under the news value uniqueness. Uniqueness means stories that are unusual, a little bit different, the stories with a news value of uniqueness are often less serious and presented in an informal mode-of-address. An example from the newsround website is ' Man skydives into active volcano' this story is unusual but not negative.

Another news value is currency, this applies to stories that are popular at the moment, an example of this is the story about Liverpool drawing a football match. The race for the Premier League title is big story at the moment so it has a lot of value. The use of a star vehicle is also apparent in this story, we can see a picture of Fernando Torres who is a very famous football star and will appeal to the target audience.

There is a story at the bottom of the website that is about the possible new British Lions rugby team captain, this story has a news value of recency as it is a story that is happening at the moment.

Other values that can be considered are the values that the users put on the stories they are reading. The uses and gratification theory helps us understand how users observe the stories.

There are 4 parts to the theory and they are all evident when we look at the newsround website.

The stories on the website are informal and provide diversion for the users, as do the games that are accessible.

The information on the website satisfies the audience's need for surveillance and helps them gather information.

The stories regarding families will provide a level of personal identity for some of the target audience as they can identify with structure the family or the lack of a family.

The chat room function allows users to interact and discuss topical issues, in turn forming personal relationships through the website.

Question 4: Why are news websites becoming more popular than newspapers.

There are several reason why news websites are becoming more and more popular.

1. Websites are visually more exciting, they include a wide variety of pictures and increasingly a huge range of videos/ links to tv channels and flash elements.

2. Websites are bottomless, they can host a massive amount of information, far more than any newspaper, satisfying our need for surveillance.

3. Websites are organic, they keep growing with new branches of information but they archive some of the old information so you can refer back to it.

4. Websites are can publish breaking news almost immediately, they can publish stories that have an ultimate news value of immediacy.

5. Websites are far more interactive, and encourage user participation. Users can post comments, customise their own version of the homepage, chat with other users, enter competitions and play games.

6. You can view online news sites whenever you want and you can replay information over and over until you understand it.

7. You can access information quickly (at the click of a button) and find things that you are interested in.

8. Websites contain a variety of hard news and soft news.

9. You can absorb the information in your own time whereas newspapers are daily, so encourage you to buy one every day.

10. THEY ARE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Example questions for revision

1. Choose one of the websites linked below and explain how the content and structure has been developed to attract the target audience?

Newsround
BBC News

Who are the target audience?
What techniques have been used (structure) videos, pictures, nibs, interactivity, iconic banner, logo, strapline, index, archive, colour etc?
What about the content? Does it enable user participation? Uses and gratification theory?(surveillance/diversion/personal identity/personal relationships) News values? (Proximity, uniqueness, star vehicles, currency, simplicity, recency)

2. Create a homepage for a news website aimed at teenagers by completing the following tasks....

Name of site and URL
Design your homepage and annotate
Explain the structure of the website
Explain why it is appropriate for the target audience.

Who are the target audience?
What techniques have been used (structure) videos, pictures, nibs, interactivity, iconic banner, logo, strapline, index, archive, colour etc?
What about the content? Does it enable user participation? Uses and gratification theory?(surveillance/diversion/personal identity/personal relationships) News values? (Proximity, uniqueness, star vehicles, currency, simplicity, recency)

*********Notice the same techniques used for question 1**************

3. Using examples, explain two ways in which news websites target young people.

Who are the target audience?
What techniques have been used (structure) videos, pictures, nibs, interactivity, iconic banner, logo, strapline, index, archive, colour etc?
What about the content? Does it enable user participation? Uses and gratification theory?(surveillance/diversion/personal identity/personal relationships) News values? (Proximity, uniqueness, star vehicles, currency, simplicity, recency)

1. Websites are visually more exciting, they include a wide variety of pictures and increasingly a huge range of videos/ links to tv channels and flash elements.

2. Websites are bottomless, they can host a massive amount of information, far more than any newspaper, satisfying our need for surveillance.

3. Websites are organic, they keep growing with new branches of information but they archive some of the old information so you can refer back to it.

4. Websites are can publish breaking news almost immediately, they can publish stories that have an ultimate news value of immediacy.

5. Websites are far more interactive, and encourage user participation. Users can post comments, customise their own version of the homepage, chat with other users, enter competitions and play games.

6. You can view online news sites whenever you want and you can replay information over and over until you understand it.

7. You can access information quickly (at the click of a button) and find things that you are interested in.

8. Websites contain a variety of hard news and soft news.

4. Suggest two reasons why news websites are important for the survival of newspapers.

More and more people have access to the internet.
Websites are available all over the world, they transcend national boundaries and people. abroad will not have to wait two days for a newspaper carrying old news.
Newspaper companies can cut down on printing costs.
Websites help create synergy for the brand of newspaper companies.
People trust their favourite brand of newspaper and want it available online.
Advertisers want to be able to access large numbers of people and advertising funds newspapers and newspaper websites.
Advertisers can target specific audience who are accessing specific pages on a news website, for example, The NME music magazine could advertise on the entertainment section of the website.

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1. Take a look at the newspaper front covers on the right hand side of the page, choose one and explain how it is structured in order to attract its target audience.....

Mast head
Graphic
Headline
Main image
Plugs/puffs (snipets of news)
Columns
Captions (text to anchor the meaning of photos)
Staplines (
Bylines (Who wrote the article)
Dateline
Web address
Typography (style of text)
Layout / design

What about the content? Does it enable user participation? Uses and gratification theory?(surveillance/diversion/personal identity/personal relationships)

News values? (Proximity, uniqueness, star vehicles, currency, simplicity, recency)

2. Create a newspaper front cover aimed at a teenage audience.

Think of a suitable name
Design and annotate the front cover
Explain your design
Explain how your front cover will appeal to a teenage audience

Mast head
Graphic
Headline
Main image
Plugs/puffs (snipets of news)
Columns
Captions (text to anchor the meaning of photos)
Staplines (
Bylines (Who wrote the article)
Dateline
Web address
Typography (style of text)
Layout / design

What about the content? Does it enable user participation? Uses and gratification theory?(surveillance/diversion/personal identity/personal relationships)

News values? (Proximity, uniqueness, star vehicles, currency, simplicity, recency)

Music on Television: Example Exam

2008-01-22T06:54:00.002-08:00

Q1. Explain how the editing and presentation in the clips above are typical of music programmes on TV.

The codes and conventions are similar in both extracts, they both have able presenters, who form a relationship with the audience, modern, exciting sets, popular live performers, live audiences, which represent the target audience, a range of camera shots and angles to help us see our star vehicles close up, with Jools Holland appearing to use a single camera set up and Transmission using a multi-camera set up.

People.......
In both shows the presenters are important, introducing the audience to the guests in an excitable tone of voice. The presenters on both shows are informal, dressed in smart casual clothes and communicate with their target audience through a direct mode of address. This process of communication is important because it makes the audience feel like they are there, in the studio and that the programme is directed at them.

Location......
The sets for live shows play an important role in creating the mise-en-scene for the programme and help create a good atmosphere in the studio.

The set for Transmission is very similar to a night club, with open space dance floors surrounding different stages and an are where the interviews take place, consisting of modern sofas. The set is a signifier which would appeal to the target audience for the programme, modern exciting and similar to the night club culture, meaning the show has a high level of cultural verisimilitude.

The set for Jools Holland is slightly different, creating a different mise-en-scene. If Transmission is hoping to attract a young audience who are very much part of the clubbing scene and in to modern music, then Jools Holland is trying to attract a slightly older audience. Each band has their own stage and are asked to play more than just one song and the audience is positioned in standing and seating areas around the edge of the studio, giving the feel of a bar or a classy music venue.

Objects...
Both shows concentrate on the instruments played by the artists as they want to be viewed as shows interested presenting in quality, live music.
The piano on the Jools Holland show is a signifier which connotes quality and prestige. Often interviews take place at the piano and Jools will play a song with a guest.

Dress...
The presenters of both shows are dressed in a smart casual manner and this is a signifier which connotes that both shows are making an effort but they are not too formal.

Camera Shots and Editing
The first clip introduces us to the acts that are going to be appearing on the show, the camera pans around the studio and the performers collectively play a song which acts as a diegetic music bed to accompany the voice-over, provided by Jools Holland.

In the second clip we have a close-up of the presenter addressing the viewers and giving them a little bit of information about the next guest. We then see a range of camera shots used to grab the attention of the audience. A close-up is used to show the performer playing his violin allowing the viewer to appreciate the technical ability of the artist. A close-up of the artists face is a popular shot in the sequence and gives the audience the chance to see the emotion of the artist. A crane shot is also used to show the stage, followed by a low angled long-shot which zooms in slowly on the stage, positioning the audience at home as a live audience member.

Lighting......
Transmission is set up to have a nightclub feel, so uses low-key lighting and spotlights to highlight the star artists when they are on stage.

The lighting for the Jools Holland is slightly different, brighter, high-key lighting, giving a feel of a gig rather than a nightclub.

Effects:
There are no specific effects used in the Jools Holland clip but the use of smoke machine in the Transmisson clip is obvious and anchors the genre of the programme.

Uses and Gratification.......
Both shows provide a level of diversion for the viewer, allowing them to access live music and see star artists can lift the mood and music itself is a form of diversion.

people may also form personal relationships as a result of watching these shows, they are scheduled late on a Friday, after the pubs have closed and therefore encourage people to sit around with their friends watching music and drinking, much like the studio audience.

Viewers find out information about the artists on the show through lengthy introductions by the presenters and interviews. This is a form of surveillance for the audience, as they finding out new information and learning more about the personalities of the artists.

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2. Plan a music programme aimed at 10-14 by completing the tasks below....

Give the programme an appropriate title...
Choose a selection of settings or sets and explain your reasons...
Choose a time and channel or appropriate form of distribution..
Create a storyboard for the opening sequences of your music programme
Explain your ideas..(PLODCAMEDLEG)

1. Eyespace

2. My programme will be set in a studio that is designed to look like a school. The presenters will be dressed as stereotypical old fashioned teachers, with dark rimmed glasses and cardigans, will interview a variety of guests in the headmasters office.
There will be various locations that replicate a real school, including a main hall, where artists perform live, the headmaster's office for interviews, a gym, where star artists are set a variety of tasks. A music room where artists warm up, almost like a green room.
My primary target audience will be able to personally identify with the locations and my secondary target audience would also be familiar with the layout of a school.

3. The genre of music that will be played on my programme is RnB, therefore, I think it would be wise to place it on a channel that attracts young people, as young people would be my primary target audience.
I could broadcast the programme on T4, channel 4's strand of programming aimed at young people. If I wanted my programme to be seen by a smaller but more specific audience, I could turn to narrowcasting and choose one of the Sky digital channels that specialises in playing rnb music.
I could even broadcast my programme on the Internet, as a pre-recorded programme that could be played on myspace, youtube or a specialist website.

4.
Click to enlarge.....

5.
PEOPLE
My presenters will be dressed as teachers but in a modern style, to attract my primary target audience. There will be a man and a woman and one of them will be a well known celebrity who would act as the star vehicle for the show.
The mode-of-address will be informal and the presenters will communicate with the audience through adopting a direct mode-of-address.
The guests on the show will be artists from the rnb genre and there will be a weekly slot for up and coming new acts.

LOCATION
As mentioned above

OBJECTS
There will be a number of key signifiers will connote the fact that the studio is meant to be a school, including, gym apparatus, a headmasters desk, a blackboard and a cane. These objects will help to acts as historical codes, creating the preferred-reading that the school is from a different era.
The school objects will be juxtaposed against modern objects that connote that the programme is about rnb music, such as modern cars with blacked out windows and plasma screens.

DRESS
The presenters will be dressed as teachers but the guests will be dressed in stereotypical clothes that rnb artists would normally wear, such as vests, gold jewellery, mini-skirts, leather etc...

CAMERA SHOTS
I would use a multi-camera set up as the show will be fast paced and will need to incorporate a variety of camera shots. I will have cameras amongst the live audience, so I can use low-angle shots of the artists and position the audience, making them feel like they are part of the live crowd. I will use close-up shots to highlight the emotion of the artists and the physique of the performers. I will also have cameras behind the stage broadcasting long shots of the crowd, helping the audience at home to get a flavour of the atmosphere in the studio.

EDITING
The editing will be continuous, as it is a live programme and fast paced in order to grab the attention of the target audience and fit in with the music.

LIGHTING
I will use a mixture of low-key lighting, when guests are being interviewed and undertaking tasks and high-key lighting for the live performances, to create a gig like mise-en-scene.

EFFECTS
I will use a smoke machine to help create an atmosphere in the rooms where performances take place.

GRAPHICS
I will use a modern 3D font in the titles for the programme and the same font for the captions that will appear on the screen when artists are performing, the font will help anchor the genre of the programme.

NARRATIVE:
The programme will be multi-strand, as it will have games, interviews, live performances etc...
The presenters will use enigmas to keep the audience watching.

USES AND GRATIFICATION THEORY
The programme will be fun and create a diversion for the viewers, helping them to have fun and forget about more serious issues. It will also quench the viewers need for surveillance, as it will provide them with lots of information about their favourite artists, through interviews and captions that will accompany their performances.
Hopefully people will watch the show with their mates and form personal relationships as a result of enjoying and talking about the content.

Comics: Example Exam

2008-01-22T06:54:00.001-08:00

Below is a practice exam with some model answers, this will help you when you are undertaking the practice exams. (Click on the images to see full size versions)

5. Choose one of comic strips. Explain why the strip appeals to its target audience?

Layout........

I have decided to concentrate on the Dennis the menace comic strip. The target audience for the comic would be young children and the strip is set out in a traditional comic format, which keeps children interested, they know the format, they don't have to read too much and there is plenty of colour.

Comic language.....
The codes and conventions which we expect to see in comics of this genre are apparent in this strip. The strip is set up using frames within panels and the characters speak within speech bubbles. We can see that thought bubbles are also used, if we look at the second panel and the last frame, we see Dennis thinking 'Huh' as he is scheming, a common technique used for characters such as Dennis, which helps the reader enter the mind of the character. The technique of using a text box in the corner of a frame to express time, (2nd panel 1st frame) 'soon' keeps the pace of the story up, ensuring the story is attention grabbing for a younger audience.
The use of movement lines is also important in comics as it explains to the reader how quick or slow a character or an object may be moving. We can see in the first frame, that Dennis is rushing up to his Mum, rudely asking for more and when his neighbour slams his window the image is again detailed with movement lines to highlight the slam. The word slam is also used in this panel, bright orange in colour to stand out, this an example of using a sound word, or an onomatopoeic word and it helps anchor the genre.

PLODCAMEDLEG
The people in the comic strip are typical of characters you would expect to find in the life of a young boy. Dennis himself is a stereotypical naughty young boy and therefore would to other young boys who show off and carry out pranks, or would like to anyway. Dennis also has a pet, gnasher (the only one that understands him) who could be seen as the helper, helping Dennis, who is the villain, as labelled in Propp's theory. As the story develops, the neighbour becomes the Damsel-in-distress.

The Locations are again stereotypical locations you would expect to find in a young boy's life. A kitchen, where he gets his food and his street where he causes havoc.

Quite often we see objects that are used to carry out practical jokes and in this strip, we see Dennis uses some drinking straws, this is a typical convention of the genre, using everyday objects to carry out practical jokes.

The dress of the characters is also very important and helps creates a high level of generic verisimilitude. The mother is wearing an apron, the nerdy neighbour is wearing glasses and the main antagonist, Dennis is bright and bold, juxtaposed against the softer dreary background. Dennis is always dressed in black and red which becomes a symbolic code and helps create a visual trigger for the character. The colours black and red are important signifiers, red commonly connoting danger and black, connoting death or evil, it could be said that they represent the colours of the devil, with Dennis being, 'a little devil'.

The panels are mostly made up of long shots or medium shots of the characters, again this is typical of the genre as there is normally plenty of action happening within each frame.

The writing in the strip is all in capital letters and the sentences are simple and short, helping inject pace into the narrative and ensuring it is easy to read.

Narrative...
The narrative is simple and single-strand which is suitable for younger children. The strip starts with a disruption as we see Dennis upsetting the equilibrium by being rude to his Mum. Dennis then responds by upsetting his neighbour, this in Dennis' mind is a resolution because he was hungry and he got to eat and he got to upset someone else.

6. Create a new comic, aimed at young children, by completing the following tasks.

Task 1. Choose a title for your comic.
Task 2. Decide on the characters who will be in your comic.
Task 3. Design a basic comic strip.
Task 4. Explain how your comic will appeal to a young audience

1. I will call my comic the 'Adventures of Angry Andy' as hopefully the alliteration will appeal to the target audience, it is easy to understand and remember for a young audience but it also work as a bit of an enigma. The genre will be fantasy/sci-fi as this is popular with young people.

2.

Andy as the hero and the protagonist, as every time he gets angry he saves somebody or something.
Magic Molly as his helper, who uses a bit of magic if things go wrong.
Devilish Dave will be the villain or antagonist, who attempts to take over the town of Tamworth the capital of Mercia.
Andy will have various friends including, Sarcastic Simon, Tall Tim, Judge Judy and Dumbdog, all of whom will take it in turns playing damsel-in-distress, or helper.

3.

4. My comic will appeal to a young audience in a variety of ways including using codes and conventions that are appropriate to comics and the genre of the comic.

Layout...
The target audience for the comic would be young children and the strip is set out in a traditional comic format of frames within panels, which keeps children interested, they know the format, they don't have to read too much and there is plenty of colour.

Comic Language
The codes and conventions which we expect to see in comics of this genre are apparent in this strip. The strip is set up using frames within panels and the characters speak within speech bubbles. We can see that thought bubbles are also used, when Dumbdog is thinking. The technique of using a text box in the corner of a frame also helps explains the change of place and time, or in this case highlights that something is happening at the same time.

I will also use movement lines which are important in comics as it explains to the reader how quick or slow a character or an object may be moving. I will also sound words, or onomatopoeic words which help grab the attention of younger readers and anchor the genre.

PLODCAMEDLEG
The people in my comic are very important and as already explained they follow Propp's theory of including a hero, villain, helper and damsel-in-distress. I will try and subvert stereotypes by making the geek the hero and the villain having a good heart.

The locations I will use will help my target audience identify with the stories. I will use locations such as schools, bedrooms, sports pitches, cinemas etc...

I will use objects that anchor the fantasy sci-fi genre, such as a wand for magic molly and a tardis for dumbdog's kennel.

My characters will be dressed in bright colours and fashionable clothes to connote excitement and appeal to a young audience. Devilish Dave and his helpers will wear more outlandish costumes, this will signify that they are form another world, which will anchor the sci-fi genre.

I will use long shots and medium shots for the majority of the time as the comic will be fast moving and each frame will incorporate a lot of action. I will use close up shots to show facial expressions which will help build tension.

I will make sure that the font is bold and that I use brighter colours when using sound words. I will also use punctuation lavishly to highlight a certain point, a statement of shock !!!!! or a rhetorical question??!!!???

Narrative....
I will ensure that the narrative is single-strand so my target audience can understand it and I will try and use an equilibrium, disruption and resolution in each story. Sometimes I may leave a story on a cliff-hanger but not often, as people read comics because they have fast paces short narratives.

Uses and Gratification Theory....
My target audience will use my comic as a form of diversion form real life, as the stories will be fictional and the characters unrealistic in some respects.
I hope that my readers will be able to personally identify with some of the characters as they are based on stereotypical young people and animals, until of course they access their special powers.
I hope that my target audience will create a personal relationships as a result of reading my comic. I will set up a website with fan clubs for specific characters and a chat room where young people can share their thoughts on the comic and suggest future narratives.

7. Explain why you think comics are popular and why people buy them.

People buy comics because they are cheap and children in particular cannot afford expensive forms of entertainment. Comics are also portable and can be read anywhere at any time.

Comics have been around for many years now and as a result certain issues have become collectable. Collectors like to have full sets of their favourite comics.

Comics appeal to people of all ages and and can be purchased on the internet, in specialist shops, newsagents, supermarkets and comic fayres.

Genre...
There are many different genres of comics and this level of variety helps comics remain popular and attract a large and varied readerships. Comics appeal to all age ranges and with comics aimed at young children, to erotic comics aimed at adults only.

Layout...
Comics are structured in a way which makes them easy to read and accessible to readers of all abilities and ages. Often they are set out in frames and panels and include incredibly detailed images which add to the atmosphere of the comic and anchor the genre.

Comic Language...
Characters speak within speech bubbles and think in thought bubbles, they also use movement lines and sound words. This style of writing, is fast paced and means you have two ways of understanding the text, through words and pictures.

PLODCAMEDLEG....
The people or characters in comics become really important to the readers. Often a singular hero and villain are created and then other characters beef out the narrative. The charcters are developed and become famous, often these characters move across into the world of film and television.

Locations also become famous in comics and readers fell like they know the locations where the action is taking place, we all know Gotham City and The Daily Planet.

Comics rely heavily on their visual art and specific artists become famous for designing specific comics. The characters and the costumes they wear, the weapons and objects they use and the places in which they live and work or play are very important to the reader.

Narrative...
The narratives are normally quite short and are resolved by the end of each strip. Sometimes storylines are left on a cliff hanger, encouraging the reader to buy the next edition to find out what happens.

Uses and Gratification Theory......
Comics are a great form of diversion for their readers, with super-hero characters and troublesome young antagonists.
People often personally identify with characters in comics, often readers want to be like their favourite character and they wish they could do in real life, what they see in the comics.
People form personal relationships through being associated with specific comics, the majority of this communication and in turn relationship building is now done via the internet, through chat rooms and fanclubs.

Lastly comics are portable and you can carry them and read them anywhere. Comics are also a physical commodity and people like to own them and collect them.

How have comics managed to survive the digital age?

Beacause of TV and Film
One of the reasons why comics have survived so long is because many comics have made the transition to the big and the small screen. Many of the characters we know today derived from comics, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Wonderwoman, Judge Dread, X-men, Flash Gordon etc.
Batman and Robin made the leap to TV years ago carrying across the heroes and villains and even the sound words like 'Kapow' made it onto our screens. Superman is now on TV regularly, starring in Smallville and Flash Gordon has now been turned into a TV series. These TV programmes help keep these characters alive in turn helping these comics and the organisations that made them remain popular.

Manga comics have also become very popular in recent years, a product which is uniquely oriental, which has become a huge success in the west and is very poular in its animated format.

TV programmes are often made into comics or annuals that are written in a comic format, often they are programmes that are aimed at children, like the BBC's, Dora the Explorer.

Companies like DC and Marvel have had their characters immortalised by film and as a result are now thriving, enabling them to produce more comics.

The Internet....
The internet has also helped comics survive as it has made comics available electronically, so people do not have to go out and buy a comic.

Famous organisations and specific comics have their own websites, which often have a variety of hooks to keep their target audience interested aside form the comic strip, The beano website has games and competitions helping to give their young target audience an interactive experience.

The internet has also given comic enthusiaists a way to communicate, organisations a place to sell their comics and collectors a place to find and purchase special editions and valuable copies.

Merchandising.....
Once the chracters, objects, costumes and locations that originally derived from comics become famous, toys, figures, T-shirts, computer games, DVD's and all forms of merchandise, help keep the mythology of the stories in the public eye and provide much needed revenue.

Comics: Practice Exam Papers

2008-01-22T06:49:00.001-08:00

Example Exam 1

1. Choose one of the Comic Strips; briefly explain how it appeals to an audience.

2. Storyboard a short comic strip (approx 5 frames) using the appropriate conventions.

3. Explain how comics appeal to different audiences.

4. Give 2 reasons why comics have managed to survive the digital age.

_________________________________

Example Exam 2

1. What features of the comic strip help identify the target audience?

2. Create a new comic aimed at primary school children by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

3. List every thing you would expect to see on the front cover of a comic.

4. Give 3 reasons why audiences might read comics, using at least one comic as an example.

____________________________________

Example Exam 3

1. What are the typical conventions you would expect to see on the front cover of a comic?

2. Show how one example of each of the following is used in comics to attract an audience:
a. Language
b. Layout
c. Use of colour
d. Fonts

3. Describe the typical layout of a comic strip

4. Describe how you would market a new comic aimed at children

__________________________________

Example Exam 4

1. State 2 features of the front cover that make it fit the comic genre.

2. Create a new comic aimed at adults by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

3. Describe how different text is presented in comics.

4. Describe how you would market a new comics aimed at teenagers

__________________________

Example Exam 5

1. Identify and describe the presentational devices used.

2. With detailed reference to at least 2 comics, explain why you think that they are so popular with a particular audience and less with others.

3. Create a new comic aimed at teenagers by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

4. Explain how different comics fulfil the different needs suggested by the uses and gratifications theory.

_________________________________

Example Exam 6

1. Provide a short analysis of the comic strip using the relevant media language.

2. Create a new comic aimed at primary school children by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

3. State 3 things that comics have in common using at least 2 different styles of comics as examples.

4. Identify common stereotypes within comics.

_________________________________

Example Exam 7

1. How do you think the readers are expected to react to the comic?

2. Does the comic represent reality, if so, how.

3. Create a new comic aimed at adults by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

4. Make suggestions on ho and what you would research prior to producing a new comic.

_____________________________

Example Exam 8

1. What do you think the preferred reading of the comic is?

2. Story board a short comic strip (approx 5 frames) using the appropriate conventions.

3. Show how one example of each of the following is used in comics to attract an audience:
a. Language
b. Layout
c. Use of colour
d. Fonts

4. Evaluate the role of the regulatory bodies within the print industry and the effect they have on the publishing of comics.

_____________________

Example Exam 9

1. Choose one of the Comic Strips; briefly explain how it appeals to an audience.

2. Write a treatment for a new comic aimed at teenagers.

3. Create a new comic aimed at teenagers by completing the following tasks:
a. Create a title
b. Create a list of characters
c. Design a front cover
d. Explain how your comic will appeal to your target audience

4. What industry regulations would you have to consider when producing a comic.

_______________________________

Example Exam 10

1. List every thing you would expect to see on the front cover of a comic.

2. Analyse and interpret the relationship of the content of the comic to the target audience.

3. Show how one example of each of the following is used in comics to attract an audience:
a. Language
b. Layout
c. Use of colour
d. Fonts

4. Explain how different comics fulfill the different needs suggested in the uses and gratifications theory.

Music on Television: Practice Exam Papers

2008-01-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

Example Exam 1

1. What features of this extract identify it as a music programme?

2. Explain how camera work and editing are used in the extracts you have watched.

3. You are developing ideas for a new music programme aimed at teenagers. Complete the following:
a. Suggest a name for the programme
b. 2 possible studio designs
c. Briefly explain why you have chosen these settings.
d. Create a storyboard showing your title sequence (6 -10 shots)

4. Briefly explain 2 ways in which pop music acts are marketed.

___________________________

Example Exam 2

1. Explain how the title sequence tells us about the kind of programme we will be watching.

2. Make suggestions for a new pop music programme detailing:
a. Your approach to the programme
b. How you would research the project\when and where you could broadcast the programme.

3. Give three reasons why audiences might watch music programmes using at least 1 programme as an example.

4. Is the Internet having an impact on music programmes on TV? Give reasons behind your thoughts.

___________________________

Example Exam 3

1. Choose 2 ways in which the extracts are typical of music programmes.

2. You are developing ideas for a new music programme aimed at teenagers. Complete the following:
a. Suggest a name for the programme
b. 2possible studio designs
c. Briefly explain why you have chosen these settings.
d. Create a storyboard for a segment of your programme (6 -10 shots)

3. Explain how music programmes fulfil the needs suggested within the uses and gratifications theory.

4. Discuss the relationship between broadcasting and the music industry.

_______________________

Example Exam 4

1. The title sequence tells us about the programme we will be watching, choose 2 examples from the sequence and explain how they help introduce the programme.

2. The extract is made to create a feeling of ________ and ________. Show how it does this by explaining 2 examples from each of the following:
a. Use of camera (shots)
b. Lighting
c. Editing / transitions
d. Special effects / CGI

3. How do you think the viewers at home are expected to react to the programme

4. Explain how you would market a new pop music act.

_______________________________

Example Exam 5

1. State three things that music programmes have in common using at least 2 programmes as examples.

2. You are developing ideas for a new music programme featuring RnB music. Complete the following:
a. Suggest a name for the programme
b. 2 possible studio designs
c. Briefly explain why you have chosen these settings.
d. Create a storyboard showing your title sequence (6 -10 shots)

3. Explain how music programmes can appeal to different audiences.

4. What industry regulations would you have to consider when producing a new music programme.

_________________________

Example Exam 6

1. With detailed reference to 2 music programmes, compare how they use conventions of the music genre.

2. You are developing ideas for a new chart music programme. Complete the following:
a. Suggest a name for the programme
b. 2 possible studio designs
c. Briefly explain why you have chosen these settings.
d. Create a storyboard a segment of your programme (6 -10 shots)

3. Identify and describe the presentational devices used in the extract.

4. Evaluate the role of the regulatory bodies within the industry and the effect they have on the broadcasting of music programmes.

______________________
Example Exam 7

1. What are the typical conventions of a music programme.

2. The extract is made to create a feeling of ________ and ________. Show how it does this by explaining 2 examples from each of the following:
a. Use of camera (shots)
b. Lighting
c. Editing / transitions
d. Special effects / CGI

3. Analyse and interpret the relationship of the content to the target audience.

4. How and what would you research prior to producing a new music programme.

________________________

Example Exam 8

1. Produce a short analysis of the extract using relevant media language

2. Write a treatment for a new music programme aimed at teenagers.

3. Make suggestions for a new pop music programme detailing:
a. Your approach to the programme
b. How you would research the project\when and where you could broadcast the programme.

4. Briefly explain 2 ways in which pop music acts are marketed.

____________________________

Example Exam 9

1. Identify and describe the presentational devices used within the extract.

2. Write a treatment for a new music chart programme.

3. The extract is made to create a feeling of ________ and ________. Show how it does this by explaining 2 examples from each of the following:
a. Use of camera (shots)
b. Lighting
c. Editing / transitions
d. Special effects / CGI

4. What do you think the preferred reading of the programme would be and explain why?

___________________________

Example Exam 10

1. Produce a short analysis of the extract seen using the relevant media language.

2. You are developing ideas for a new music programme aimed at teenagers. Complete the following:
a. Suggest a name for the programme
b. 2possible studio designs
c. Briefly explain why you have chosen these settings.
d. Create a storyboard for a segment of your programme (6 -10 shots)

3. Is the Internet having an impact on music programmes on TV? Give reasons behind your thoughts.

4. Discuss the relationship between broadcasting and the music industry