Outcome 1: Representations
Describe the construction of specific media representations and explain how the process of representation reproduces the world differently from direct experience of it.
Task: Short answers and essay
Complete analysis on two media texts by answering the short answer questions.
Then complete the final report / essay on one film.
In class, you are to view two films and a television show.
You should then answer the short questions. (Note: the ACMI library collection has copies of all of these films.)
When viewing the two films you are to consider the ways in which the films used codes and conventions to construct representations of the young people portrayed.
This task will be marked out of 100. The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
Part A of this task is worth 20 marks, which will be derived from the short questions with the other 80 marks coming from Part B the essay.
You have four weeks to complete this task.
Answer on a separate sheet.
The following topics are covered in this assessment task:
— Representations of young people (teenagers) in film.
— The use of codes and conventions in the construction of meaning.
— Personal values that underpin the construction of representations.
— Historical developments in cultural values that influence representations.
TASK: INTRODUCTION
Much of what we understand about the world and others comes from the media. The mass media not only inform and entertain us, but also help to shape our world view.
Hence we need to develop our awareness of how the media representations create meaning.
Media representations involve the selection of images words and sounds. What we think and feel about characters depends on the way that the images, words and sounds are presented, related and ordered. Our media should be viewed with a critical eye because personal opinions and values influence the representations that are presented.
To better understand the nature of representations we will develop critical approaches to the production of meaning. This area of study explores the representations presented in films, and the way in which these representations may influence an audiences understanding about a particular group or culture.
In class, you are to view teen texts from the USA and Australia, making notes for the following questions. After the films are completed you are to form small groups and discuss the questions below. You must then individually answer the questions. Once feedback on the short questions has been provided you should then undertake the essay.
PART A – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions on two of the two films viewed.
Question 1
Explain in detail a scene in one of the movies that shows teenagers in a negative/positive light (1 mark)
Question 2
In the scene above provide details about the way in which sound was used. (1 marks)
Question 3
In the scene above provide details about the way in which the camera was used to engage the audience. (2 marks)
Question 4
Do you believe that the director was trying to make a point with this scene, if so what was the meaning? Explain the reason for your opinion and support your argument with appropriate examples. (3 marks)
Question 5
Overall were the representations of young people in film positive or negative?
Explain using examples. (4 marks)
Question 6
Focusing on one teenage social group, explain how they and their actions were represented as being detrimental to another social group. (1 mark)
Question 7
Dialogue is a powerful tool of the film maker as they can literally put words into the different characters mouths. Provide one quote from the film that had the effect of representing a character in a negative light. (1 mark)
Question 8
Costumes are often used to represent different characters, power, social status or even feelings. Provide one example from the films where the audience develops character information from a costume. (1 marks)
Question 9
How has selection and omission used to tell the story (to define the qualities of the main characters). What was purposefully shown and what was left out? (2 mark)
Question 10
In what way have the film representations developed your knowledge of young people in different countries and in different eras? Explain. (2 marks)
Question 11
What values are evident in the film? These could be attitudes towards women, men, parents and/or ethnic groups. (2 marks)
TOTAL MARKS FOR PART A: 20
Describe the construction of specific media representations and explain how the process of representation reproduces the world differently from direct experience of it.
Task: Short answers and essay
Complete analysis on two media texts by answering the short answer questions.
Then complete the final report / essay on one film.
In class, you are to view two films and a television show.
You should then answer the short questions. (Note: the ACMI library collection has copies of all of these films.)
When viewing the two films you are to consider the ways in which the films used codes and conventions to construct representations of the young people portrayed.
This task will be marked out of 100. The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
Part A of this task is worth 20 marks, which will be derived from the short questions with the other 80 marks coming from Part B the essay.
You have four weeks to complete this task.
Answer on a separate sheet.
The following topics are covered in this assessment task:
— Representations of young people (teenagers) in film.
— The use of codes and conventions in the construction of meaning.
— Personal values that underpin the construction of representations.
— Historical developments in cultural values that influence representations.
TASK: INTRODUCTION
Much of what we understand about the world and others comes from the media. The mass media not only inform and entertain us, but also help to shape our world view.
Hence we need to develop our awareness of how the media representations create meaning.
Media representations involve the selection of images words and sounds. What we think and feel about characters depends on the way that the images, words and sounds are presented, related and ordered. Our media should be viewed with a critical eye because personal opinions and values influence the representations that are presented.
To better understand the nature of representations we will develop critical approaches to the production of meaning. This area of study explores the representations presented in films, and the way in which these representations may influence an audiences understanding about a particular group or culture.
In class, you are to view teen texts from the USA and Australia, making notes for the following questions. After the films are completed you are to form small groups and discuss the questions below. You must then individually answer the questions. Once feedback on the short questions has been provided you should then undertake the essay.
PART A – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Answer the following questions on two of the two films viewed.
Question 1
Explain in detail a scene in one of the movies that shows teenagers in a negative/positive light (1 mark)
Question 2
In the scene above provide details about the way in which sound was used. (1 marks)
Question 3
In the scene above provide details about the way in which the camera was used to engage the audience. (2 marks)
Question 4
Do you believe that the director was trying to make a point with this scene, if so what was the meaning? Explain the reason for your opinion and support your argument with appropriate examples. (3 marks)
Question 5
Overall were the representations of young people in film positive or negative?
Explain using examples. (4 marks)
Question 6
Focusing on one teenage social group, explain how they and their actions were represented as being detrimental to another social group. (1 mark)
Question 7
Dialogue is a powerful tool of the film maker as they can literally put words into the different characters mouths. Provide one quote from the film that had the effect of representing a character in a negative light. (1 mark)
Question 8
Costumes are often used to represent different characters, power, social status or even feelings. Provide one example from the films where the audience develops character information from a costume. (1 marks)
Question 9
How has selection and omission used to tell the story (to define the qualities of the main characters). What was purposefully shown and what was left out? (2 mark)
Question 10
In what way have the film representations developed your knowledge of young people in different countries and in different eras? Explain. (2 marks)
Question 11
What values are evident in the film? These could be attitudes towards women, men, parents and/or ethnic groups. (2 marks)
TOTAL MARKS FOR PART A: 20