GLADIATOR

How does this hero shot construct Maximus?

Representation in Gladiator

In class, we watch and analyse further AA clips, finishing with the magnificent opening of Gladiator. We study the camera work, editing, sound and how representation is constructed.

PREP: How is representation constructed in the opening sequence? 

Refer to 

• binary opposites,
• stereotypes,
• costume, 
• sound, 
• editing, 
• speech, 
• gesture and posture

The opening CU of Maximus running his hand through the corn: what kind of a man does he appear to be from the camerawork (CUs) and sound?

How does the armour of general Maximus lend him authority, dignity and power?
How does the Roman soldiers' armour make them appear compared to the barbarians?

 

ACTION ADVENTURE EXAM

PREP Watch the opening of Mission Impossible HERE for example.

Q.1 is a genre question. In this question, you will get 10 marks (3 for genre considerations and 7 for evidence from the text).

Q.1 Explain two ways  in which the narrative (the characters and events) in the extract fits the genre.  Use examples from the extract. You might consider:

• Define the genre of the extract (What kind of AA is it? How precisely do you know?)
• Can you use terms like spectacle, jeopardy and suspense, speed and motion, conflict and combat?
• What action happens in the extract? Is it typical?
• How does it make the audience feel? 
• Is there a hero? 
• What kind of hero is he? Is he typical? Good? How can you tell?

STUDYING THE IT CROWD

Watch an episode of The It Crowd.
Make notes on your blog along the same lines as you did for QI.

STUDYING QI

QI	Verbal humour important: ‘quite interesting’ facts more important to entertain than to get the right answer, QI has stated it follows its own philosophy, which is that everything in the world, even that which appears to be the most boring, is "quite interesting" if looked at in the right way; because of the show's expectation that hardly anyone would be able to give a correct answer without significant prompting, it instead encourages sheer interestingness, which is how points are mainly scored
	Answers designed to expose myths:  things you always thought were true; laugh yourself clever
	Mainstream audience pleasures
	Regular panellists: Stephen Fry QI Master, ‘magic’; very clever chairman;
	Alan Davies comedian, familiar face, ‘the bloke next door’ rushes headlong like a puppy into the wall of ignorance."
	Variety of panellists The show's other panellists mainly come from a stand-up comedy background
	Banter between panellists
	Funny buzzers: Davies's buzzer is usually more humorous than the others
	panellists are apt to branch off into frivolous conversations, give voice to train of thought, and share humorous anecdotes from their own lives
	In some episodes, the panellists are given an extra task to complete during the course of the game. Those who do the best are often awarded extra points
	http://www.qi.com/tv/

 

PREP Select an episode of QI to watch. Make notes on your blog under the title QI on the following: 

• for the episode you watched, state the series (this will be a letter), channel, day and time of broadcast
• state the genre of the programme
• state the names of the host and pannelists
• as the host, how does Stephen Fry relate to the other panelists? Consider if the term 'genial' applies.
• what is 'quite interesting' about the extract that you watched?
• what makes you laugh in the episode?
• how is Stephen Fry's erudition (the extent of his knowledge) shown?
• are the audience passive consumers or active participants?
• what is the role of Alan Davies and how does he contribute to audience pleasures?
• how far does the programme fulfill its Public Service Broadcasting remit to inform, to educate and to entertain?
• how is the audience positioned: as omniscient or powerless?

B 322 ‘Institution’ question

Your homework today is viewing TV comedy: The InBetweeners and QI.
You need to know what the exam tests, so below is a specimen exam paper. 

• You can see why this exam is about an 'institution' (a TV channel) and about 'audiences' ( who watches the TV comedies that we've chosen as case studies, and why they do). Our case studies are deliberately different.
• So you need to know about BBC 2 and 4, and Dave for QI (channel brand & ethos)
  
• About E4 for The InBetweeners
• About each programme's appeal
• About who watches each programme (teenagers? family? adults only)
• Each programme's day, time and channel
  

CONSTRUCTION: FILMING IMMORTAL BELOVED

Good work filming the wedding scene today in the Mansion: great shots, perfect costumes with sunlight onto the set, good concentration. Next step: blog with pictures; capture and edit; devise the voice over.

CONSTRUCTION: NEWS ITEMS 'BLOOD IVORY'

Blood Ivory
You will be using current journalists' articles to create your voice over and make your work realistic. What other articles can you provide for this?Today we discuss the voice over for Blood Ivory as well as how to use your news articles visually.

Immortal Beloved
We capture and start editing the recent filming. We plan Wednesday morning's 'wedding' shoot with the Stasi costume.