Gabi's Media Blog

Star Trek (the original series) http://youtu.be/hdjL8WXjlGI

Technical and Audio codes- In the opening to this show, we here a monologue spoken by the shows main character Captain Kirk. The monologue uses language associated with journeys and space “Space, the final frontier” and “Explore strange new worlds and to seek out new life, new civilisations”. This gives the audience a brief insight to the show before the episode has begun while keeping genre specific. The music featured in the opening is minimal during the monologue and consists of few notes played on a synthesiser. The texture then thickens to include brass instruments and a theramin creating the signature theme tune. The instrumentation is stereotypical of music used in sci-fi. It’s mysterious feel created by high pitched instruments and space themed foley sound effects create an atmospheric space feel. The visuals in the opening are minimal (due to the technology of the time) and include few special effects. Durning the monologue we are presented with a plain, black, star filled background which presents the audience with the shows space setting. We briefly see the starship enterprise ship fly past revealing the shows main flagship setting. The sans serif font of the title card presented in blue connotes a futuristic feel and is a key convention is presentation of sci-fi genres

Dr Who (opening) http://youtu.be/Rmsldy5lbUw

Technical and Audio codes- The opening of Dr Who features the shows key symbol, the TARDIS, traveling through different dimensions of space and time. We see this through the use of the monochrome swirling clock face which could connote time travel. The cogs seen during the first seconds of the opening give the feeling of a mechanical sense which could also link to the clockwork and time travel seen in later shots. Once the TARDIS enters the clock face, we see a transition to more spacial elements. A galaxy pattern provides the background for the credits while planets swirl around the names of actors. This suggests that the show will be set in space and also provides key genre conventions of sci-fi. The audio included in the trailer features the show’s signature theme tune which is instantly recognisable to the show. It uses high, pitchy strings with studio effects applied to create a mysterious and eerie atmosphere. The opening also features foley sound effects typical of the sci-fi genre such as laser gun shots and high pitched squeaks when the titles disappear at the end of the opening.

Representation- Many of Dr Who’s episodes rely on the classic Hero and sidekick structure within the plot. The hero of the show is The Doctor while the sidekick is usually one of his female companions (Amy, Clara, Rose ect). At several points in the show, the female companion is placed in a ‘Damsel in distress’ situation where she relies on the Doctor to save her. At other points in the show, the female assistant shows a more emotionally vulnerable side when talking to other female minor characters in the show while the Doctor is busy dealing with fixing more technical aspects like a broken TARDIS. This shows that in some aspects, the show relies on traditional gender roles to progress the story.

Torodov’s theory states that each film follows five different stages of narrative: Equilibrium, disruption, recognition, repair and the new equilibrium. This theory can be applied to the 1985 film Back to the future. The film begins by introducing us to the equilibrium of Marty Mcfly’s everyday life where his family life isn’t as fore-filling as he hopes. The disruption phase begins when Doc Brown (Marty’s scientist friend) Introduces his time machine which sends Marty back to the year 1955 after a dispute with Libyan terrorists. The recognition phase begins when Marty meets his teenage parents and realises that he has to return to 1985 otherwise he threatens the existence of himself and his siblings. He attempts to repair this disruption by finding when he finds the past doc brown and helps him to fix the delorean allowing him to return to 1985. The new equilibrium is the result of Marty’s encounter with his parents which changes his family life. 

Vladimir Propp’s character theory states that each film has 8 main character types that aid the narrative. These types are- 

*The Hero- Anna

*The false hero-Hans

*The Princess-Elsa

*The father of the princess- The king 

*The helper-Olaf and Kristoff

*The villan-Hans and Duke of something 

*The donor- Kristoff 

*The dispatcher- Anna

Conventions- Contained singing/sung score and dancing in the narrative story telling in comparison to regular narrative of film trailers 

In the video clip, Jimmy Carr represents regional dialects in a stereotypical and negative way for comedic effect. He conforms to several stereotypes of different parts of Britain including Scotland having a drink and drugs problem and being “Unemployed and relying on benefits” He also uses the same stereotype when talking about Liverpudlians calling them “Scousers” and saying “Dont worry, we wont take your benefits away” This conforms to the stereotype of Liverpudlians being presented as chavvy, uncultured and lazy. This Chavvy stereotype presented by Carr is also conformed in BBC’s Little Britain through the character of Vicky Pollard. In the clip, it is clear that Vicky is being presented as an uncultured, chavvy and rude teenager. A stereotype which many people have come to believe. https://youtu.be/bVjKVBf-AxI (Walliams and Lucas discuss inspiration for Vicky’s character)

Miley Cyrus- We can’t stop- Gender

In this video, we see Miley in many sexually provocative positions and revealing clothing as an attempt to break her link to disney. Ariel Leyv’s “Raunch Culture” Theory can be applied here as it can be argued that Miley is objectifying herself to sell records. However, Miley herself says  ”I’m just about equality, period. It’s not like, I’m a woman, women should be in charge! I just want there to be equality for everybody,”