The Simpsons

1. State programme, network, time slot

The Simpsons, TV3, 5pm Weekdays – Re Runs, 7.30pm Sundays – New Episodes

2. Using Vals and Tags outline directed audience

VALS would be Strivers and Survivors, These two VALS are either modest to active consumers of media, and most chances they would watch some Simpsons because of the amount of times it is played.

Tags would be Young hopefuls, Settled Seniors, Comfortable Full-nesters, affluent acquirers and the next generation. These would be because the creators of the Simpsons have made it so that the show appeals to various groups of people. Eg, high paid people or people that are comfortable.

3. Use characters as evidence to appeal to audiences

Bumblebee Man-Spanish

Dr. Hibert/Lou/Carl-African American

Fat Tony/Luigi-Italian

Apu-Indian

Üter-German

Groundskeeper Willie-Scotland

Rainer Wolfcastle-Austrian

4. Discuss methods that could be used to measure audience and how this could/would relate to this specific programme

Because The Simpsons is targeted at mostly all types of VALS and TAGS, there would be an equal amount of ways to measure audience. These vary from people meters to web surveys, clicks on demand, polls, competitions and more. Clicks on demand and people meters I think would be the most efficient ways of measuring audience. This being because it is a very modern world and people will be watching a lot on the internet and so a lot of data can be extracted from websites. People meters are more rare but they are also very accurate and you can find very reliable measurements of audience.

5. Use advertising techniques to provide evidence of audience

Advertising techniques used with this show is usually dinner ads and fast food chains. Because the immense population that the Simpsons reach they can afford to air their show at prime time television, which is around dinner time, you can expect all the food companies to advertise their specials at the time and the most renown ad is the 0800 838383 PIZZA HUT ad.

6. Discuss how audience evolves with this programme

Research

People Meter

Pros:
Quite Accurate
People want to have one.
Reaches all kinds of people

Cons:
Low Sample Size
People may not use the right account when watching TV

Web Surveys:

Pros:
Reaches a lot of people
Can do it in the comfort of your home
No Pressure to do it

Cons:
People may not be surveyed, they might think its a pop-up
People can lie about answers.

Clicks on Demand

Pros:
Links can be distributed all over the internet.t

Cons:
Potential to be inaccurate, Eg. people accidentally click on link
More people would watch it on T
People may only watch short amount of the program

Polls

Pros:
Reaches a large amount of people.
Direct information

Cons:
People Lie
Give false information

Competitions

Pros:
Lots of people will register

Cons:
People may be uninterested in the data collection and just interested in the competition.

People Meter

A people meter is a box similar to the size of a paper back book. A people meter includes a remote which you enter in information such as age and gender. A people meter stores data based on what channel you are viewing at what time. The people meter features a modem, this sends the data to the Television company, and it features a hard drive which stores the data before it is sent. The people meter is not given in abundance, only a very few, randomly selected households get to use the device. The people meter is used in many countries all over the world.

TVNZ Charter

Feature programming across all genres that informs, entertains and educates New Zealand audiences.

Shortland Street

Provide shared experiences that contribute to a sense of citizenship and national identity.

Inside New Zealand Documentaries.

Ensure in its programmes and programme planning the participation of Maori and the presence of a significant Maori voice.

Te Karere

Maintain a balance between programmes of general appeal and programmes of interest to smaller audiences.

News,/Police 10/7

Support and promote the talents and creative resources of New Zealanders and of the independent New Zealand film and television industry.

Shortland Street, New Zealand Idol,

TAGS

TAGS (Target Audience Grouping System)

Liberal Sophisticates- Well off and informed.

(Low consumers of TV).

My sister, high paying job, low consumer of TV, high consumer of internet(news, books, TV, videos), radio and DVD’s.

Young Hopefuls- Half of 15- 24 years. Low incomes.

(High TV and Radio).

Cousins, low income, go to university, watch lots of tv and listen to a lot of radio.

Settled Seniors- 57% are over 55, low income but good savers.

They are conservative and tend to stick to well known and familiar brands.

(TV and Radio; Newspaper, but not magazines).

Aunty and uncle, TV and radio, newspaper, don’t leave the house often.

Struggling Young Families- Centred around family, stick to a low budget.

(Low Media Consumers)

Sister and brother in law, new born baby, stick to low budget, watch a little TV and a little radio and low use of internet.

Comfortable Full-Nesters- Higher incomes, older, family orientated.

(Low TV, high DVD; High Media Consumers)

My parents, watch low TV (NEWS AND SPORTS), watch lots of DVD’s, lots of internet to do internet banking, and news.

Lonely and Dissatisfied- Primarily older, lonely, and seem to have no purpose.

(Low Media Consumers)

My grandmother, lives in rest home, listens to very little radio.

Affluent Acquirers- Young 15-39 age group, are active consumers in all forms.

(Low TV, High Radio; Huge Media Consumers)

Me, High radio, Immense use of internet.

The Next Generation- 10-14 age group, this category accounts for 9% of the group above the age of 10.

(TV Dominated and Very Active)

VALS

Thinkers- is a category of people who are motivated by ideals. Order, knowledge and responsibility are important to them. They are well educated. Reasonable incomes.

Values are: Durability, functionality, value in products.

My father, same values, durability, functionality and value in products. Responsible.

Believers- is a category of people who are motivated by ideals. Moral codes and established order are important to them.

Values are: Familiar products and tend to be loyal customers.

Me, I am very brand driven, established order is imperative.

Achievers- Motivated by the desire to succeed and are goal orientated, they are not big TV watchers and are time savers because they are always busy.

My mother, is quite busy most of the time, has small, daily goals which she strives for. Very rarely does she not achieve.

Strivers- Want to be something, but can’t quite get there, they are active consumers (as much as allows).

Me,

Experiencers- they are motivated by self-expression. They will try anything, go out and do anything. They are people that are enthusiastic and are Avid consumers.

Sister, very enthusiastic and outgoing.

Makers- Motivated by self-expression, practical work is a focus, tend to be suspicious and they are people that tend to be unimpressed by material possessions. They are more comfortable with basics rather than luxury gifts.

My father, lots of pratical work, unimpressed by material possessions.

Innovators- Large disposable income, and they are people who enjoy the finer things in life. They are successful and sophisticated.

My sister, enjoy finer things in life, successful, a little bit sophisticated.

Survivors- People with few resources are considered survivors. They will be loyal to familiar brands and are modest consumers.

Audience of films/television

AGE GROUP 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

FRIENDS 15-29

TOP GEAR

HEROES

LOST 15-29

RUSH

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, 15-49

SHORTLAND STREET, 15-59

HOME AND AWAY, 15,29

OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE, 20-39

AGE GROUP 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

BROTHERS AND SISTERS 15-19 30-39

FRIENDS 15-29

TOP GEAR 15-19 40-49

HEROES 15-29

LOST 15-29

RUSH 20-49

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, 15-49

SHORTLAND STREET, 15-59

HOME AND AWAY, 15,29

OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE, 20-39

TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE 10-29

SOUTH PARK 15-19

THE HILLS HAVE EYES 20-29

SAW 15-29

DEATH AT A FUNERAL40-59

RUSH HOUR 15-49

AUSTRALIA 20-49

TWILIGHT15-19

INDEPENDENCE DAY 30-59

TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE 10-29

SOUTH PARK 15-19

THE HILLS HAVE EYES

SAW 15-29

DEATH AT A FUNERAL

RUSH HOUR 15-49

AUSTRALIA 20-49

TWILIGHT15-19

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Elements of Climax Scene

Sound Effects. In this scene sound effects are a key component. The ringtone of the phone and the dial tone of the phone are playing while Latika runs to her car. This element adds a lot of pressure and it makes the audience feel as if it is a matter of life and death. The ringtone is also a strong, dull sound which also adds the the building of pressure. For example if it was a very loud and happy song then it would not have the same effect. The loudness of the sound effects is also key. The loudness is very distinct, this is another thing which adds to tension. Usually in a normal scene, a phone ringing would be a faint background noise but in this scene it is very evident.

Background Music. In this scene the background music is a key component. Actually it is the lack of background noise. When Latika runs to the phone. You don't hear any noises or any dialogue. You can see in the picture that the streets are completely packed but blocking everything out makes it seem like she is 100% focussed on getting to the phone. The lack of background noise also implements the sound effects. For example if you could hear the entire street talking and walking then the point of the clear, distinct sound effects would be harmed and not maximised.

Mise en scene. The Mise-en-scene in this scene was critical. This is because the audience need to feel the reality of the show the 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'. If the arrangement of things werent precisely similar to the actual show then it would not have had the same effect on the audience. It would have felt like a 'cheap' version.

Cinematography. The cinematography in this scene was quite good because the lighting was used well. For example in the show studio the lights were very bright and this shows that Jamal is the only which actually matters in the scene. Its as if the light is shining upon Jamal, This is further back up by the quote at the end of the movie "It is written". The light is also used well when you see Latika running for her phone. For example the light is quite bright but not too bright so it seems like it is just road lights. Also the light blocks out the unnecessary things, eg random street people, people in the show studio etc and only focuses on the subjects of the scene.

Sound Effects. In this scene sound effects are a key component. The ringtone of the phone and the dial tone of the phone are playing while Latika runs to her car. This element adds a lot of pressure and it makes the audience feel as if it is a matter of life and death. The ringtone is also a strong, dull sound which also adds the the building of pressure. For example if it was a very loud and happy song then it would not have the same effect. The loudness of the sound effects is also key. The loudness is very distinct, this is another thing which adds to tension. Usually in a normal scene, a phone ringing would be a faint background noise but in this scene it is very evident.

Background Music. In this scene the background music is a key component. Actually it is the lack of background noise. When Latika runs to the phone. You don't hear any noises or any dialogue. You can see in the picture that the streets are completely packed but blocking everything out makes it seem like she is 100% focussed on getting to the phone. The lack of background noise also implements the sound effects. For example if you could hear the entire street talking and walking then the point of the clear, distinct sound effects would be harmed and not maximised.

Mise en scene. The Mise-en-scene in this scene was critical. This is because the audience need to feel the reality of the show the 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'. If the arrangement of things werent precisely similar to the actual show then it would not have had the same effect on the audience. It would have felt like a 'cheap' version.

Cinematography. The cinematography in this scene was quite good because the lighting was used well. For example in the show studio the lights were very bright and this shows that Jamal is the only which actually matters in the scene. Its as if the light is shining upon Jamal, This is further back up by the quote at the end of the movie "It is written". The light is also used well when you see Latika running for her phone. For example the light is quite bright but not too bright so it seems like it is just road lights. Also the light blocks out the unnecessary things, eg random street people, people in the show studio etc and only focuses on the subjects of the scene.

First 5 Minutes of Slumdog Millionaire

The very first shot you see in the film is a close up on Jamal's face.
The camera is position over the policeman's right shoulder, looking
straight onto Jamals face. This instantly brings tension into the
movie, and you can straight away see the fear and worry in Jamals
facial expression. The effectiveness of this shot was that the
audience straight away knows that someone is in fear of something.

After the police chase the kids off the air field, the boys run away
and jump over a wall. The shot used to show them jumping over a wall
is a low angle shot. The camera is positioned very low, nearly on the
surface facing practically upwards. I think this shot has been used to
show how these kids are very free. The wall represents all the rules
and boundaries set and the kids jump over it without a second thought.
This would be very different for other people because they would try
to find away around the wall but these kids overcome it like it is
nothing. The effectiveness of the low angle shot was that it showed
how free the kids were and that they were in demand of themselves.

When the kids are running away from the police you see a shot off the
town they live. This is a birds-eye view. The camera is positioned
high in the air looking down upon the town. This shot is used because
so you can see how much the kids are making from what they have. This
shot shows how their town is a dirty and very poor but the kids are
still running around and enjoying themselves. The effectiveness of
this was that people saw how these kids were having such a good time
in the filthiest slums.

When the policeman was chasing the kids around town there were more
kids on the roofs heaving rubbish the the officer. The shot that was
used was a high angle shot. The camera was positioned just above the
kids' heads looking down on the officer. This shot was used to show
how inferior the policeman was compared to the tiny children.

Review of Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire. I thought this was a very good film in terms of
the way it was made. This plot I did not enjoy too much. I liked how
the film used music. It was foreign, but it wasn't too traditional and
quite modern and I think thats what attracted such a large audience.
The film cross overs from two periods of time, one when the lead actor
is young and one when he is older. This was a big risk as this could
have had a negative effect but instead it was pleasing. I liked it
because the ratio of film was fitting. For example there would only be
a short time where they would show elder Jamal but it would be very
intense and then it would cut to a longer, more relaxed scene of
younger Jamal. Another thing I liked about the film was the amount of
colour, which is another thing that attracted such a large audience.
The colours in the film were something you do not see in most movies
but it was not over the top colourful. In conclusion I think this was
a very good film in the way it was made and I think the main reasons
that this film attracted such a large audience was colour and music.

Elements: Close-ups

In the film 'Saving Private Ryan', in the the Omaha Beach scene, there
are many times when the Close-up shot is used. Some of these times
were when you saw Tom Hanks' hand shaking prior to the battle and many
times when the camera would close in onto someones face. The close-up
shot is used in this scene to show fear, nervousness and the lack of
confidence the soldiers have. For example the close up shot of Tom
Hanks' hands when they are shaking shows me that he is nervous, but it
also shows me that even though he is the leader of his group and that
he should be confident and boosting his soldiers, he cannot help but
to be frightened. The element of close-up shots impacts the scene
because it does not only show the fear of the team in a brief, passing
shot, it shows the fear in each and every individual. Showing fear in
every individual creates more meaning because you think of how each
soldier must have a family back home that he wants to see again.

Media Expectations 2010

From taking media studies this year i expect to be able to confidently analyse a film and to improve my editing and filming abilities. Although media studies is a quite a full-on subject and requires lots of knowledge on terminology etc, I am still expecting to get mostly merit and excellence marks. I also expect media studies to assist me in writing essays and analysing in English. I am greatly looking forward to media studies this year.

Media Definitions

Give a full definition of each technique

1) Extreme Close-up:
Emphasises a portion of the face, a small detail.

An example of this was in Desperate Housewives, When Susan and Mike were getting married, The camera zoomed in on Susans face, This was to show her facial expression which was happy.

2) Pace:

To increase the pace you decrease the length of the shot, to decrease
the pace you increase the length of the shot.

Desperate Housewives rarely uses pace, The shots a not too long and not too short, this keeps the scenes fluent.

3) Low angle shot:
Camera positioned low, looking up. Emphasises the size of the object in frame

An example of this was in Desperate Housewives, when Gabrielle's niece steps out of the taxi, the is positioned low, looking up to her. This shows that she is superior and of high class.

4) High angle shot:
Camera positioned high, looking down. Emphasises the vulnerability of
the object or person in focus.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Orson and Bree were in an arguement, the camera was positioned high looking down on
Bree. This shows that Bree was inferior to Orson and that she was in the lower position.

5) Music:
This usually ties in with the action. It can be used to let the
audience know what is about to happen or to affect their emotions. The
music heard at the start of a film sets the tone for the whole film
and is sometimes repeated at important times throughout. There are
many different types of music used in films:

Music is used when the theme song plays, this sets the tone for the opening scenes.

6) Sound Effects:
Noises other than the spoken voice.

An example of a sound effect in Desperate Housewives was a crash sound when Dave hit another car with his.

7) Pan:
Camera swivels slowly, giving a sweeping view of a wide area.

An example of this in Desperate housewives was in the first few seconds of the episode, The camera is set in the middle of the area and it swivels around giving viewers a good view of Wysteria Lane.

8) Zoom:
A smooth change in focal length to make the objects in the frame
appear to come closer or recede. The camera does not move.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when the narrator was re-introducing the characters the camera was zooming into the windows of their houses just to give a brief depiction of how their life was holding up.

9) Tracking shot:
Camera moves along a track on a dolly, keeping pace with a moving
object which is being filmed.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Dave was driving the car, the camera was following the car on its side along the road.

10) Performance (of actor/s):

How an actor performs the part of the film that is need. It includes how well the act, remember and fit into the character.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was the character of Gabrielles niece, He portrays the part of 'stuck-up hottie' very well.

11) Special effects (usually digital):
illusions created for movies and television by props, camerawork,computer graphics

The only special effects in Desperate Housewives was in the opening title.

12) Backlighting:
Illumination from behind

Desperate Housewives mostly used natural light.

13) Dialogue/script:
conversation between two or more people two or more people

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Lynette talked to Tom.

14) Mise en scene:
the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a scene.

An example of Mise en scene in Desperate Housewives was when Bree was in Carl's office, The office was arrange as a typical office would be, eg lamp, photos, desk, paperwork, chair, pens etc.

15) Cross-cutting:
Cutting back and forth between two scenes to create the impression
that they are happening at the same time. Again, this is often used to
point to a contrast.

Desperate Housewives rarely use cross cutting. Each scenes finished before the next one starts.

Give a full definition of each technique

1) Extreme Close-up:
Emphasises a portion of the face, a small detail.

An example of this was in Desperate Housewives, When Susan and Mike were getting married, The camera zoomed in on Susans face, This was to show her facial expression which was happy.

2) Pace:

To increase the pace you decrease the length of the shot, to decrease
the pace you increase the length of the shot.

Desperate Housewives rarely uses pace, The shots a not too long and not too short, this keeps the scenes fluent.

3) Low angle shot:
Camera positioned low, looking up. Emphasises the size of the object in frame

An example of this was in Desperate Housewives, when Gabrielle's niece steps out of the taxi, the is positioned low, looking up to her. This shows that she is superior and of high class.

4) High angle shot:
Camera positioned high, looking down. Emphasises the vulnerability of
the object or person in focus.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Orson and Bree were in an arguement, the camera was positioned high looking down on
Bree. This shows that Bree was inferior to Orson and that she was in the lower position.

5) Music:
This usually ties in with the action. It can be used to let the
audience know what is about to happen or to affect their emotions. The
music heard at the start of a film sets the tone for the whole film
and is sometimes repeated at important times throughout. There are
many different types of music used in films:

Music is used when the theme song plays, this sets the tone for the opening scenes.

6) Sound Effects:
Noises other than the spoken voice.

An example of a sound effect in Desperate Housewives was a crash sound when Dave hit another car with his.

7) Pan:
Camera swivels slowly, giving a sweeping view of a wide area.

An example of this in Desperate housewives was in the first few seconds of the episode, The camera is set in the middle of the area and it swivels around giving viewers a good view of Wysteria Lane.

8) Zoom:
A smooth change in focal length to make the objects in the frame
appear to come closer or recede. The camera does not move.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when the narrator was re-introducing the characters the camera was zooming into the windows of their houses just to give a brief depiction of how their life was holding up.

9) Tracking shot:
Camera moves along a track on a dolly, keeping pace with a moving
object which is being filmed.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Dave was driving the car, the camera was following the car on its side along the road.

10) Performance (of actor/s):

How an actor performs the part of the film that is need. It includes how well the act, remember and fit into the character.

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was the character of Gabrielles niece, He portrays the part of 'stuck-up hottie' very well.

11) Special effects (usually digital):
illusions created for movies and television by props, camerawork,computer graphics

The only special effects in Desperate Housewives was in the opening title.

12) Backlighting:
Illumination from behind

Desperate Housewives mostly used natural light.

13) Dialogue/script:
conversation between two or more people two or more people

An example of this in Desperate Housewives was when Lynette talked to Tom.

14) Mise en scene:
the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a scene.

An example of Mise en scene in Desperate Housewives was when Bree was in Carl's office, The office was arrange as a typical office would be, eg lamp, photos, desk, paperwork, chair, pens etc.

15) Cross-cutting:
Cutting back and forth between two scenes to create the impression
that they are happening at the same time. Again, this is often used to
point to a contrast.

Desperate Housewives rarely use cross cutting. Each scenes finished before the next one starts.

Basic Terminology Activity

Define each of the following and give a relevant example of each one.

Film – a thin flexible strip of plastic or other material coated with light-sensitive emulsion for exposure in a camera, used to produce photographs or motion pictures.

Cinema – A place where films are viewed,

Shot – A film sequence photographed continuously be by camera, Eg the movie's opening shot is of a character walking across a featureless landscape.

Edit – Choose material and arrange it to form a coherent whole.

Scene - a sequence of continuous action where the setting is fixed and does not usually involve a change of characters

Frame - A single complete picture in a series forming a movie.

Framing – Is a technique used to bring the focus to the subject.

Diegesis – A narrative or plot, typically in a movie.

Outline the four elements of Film Style. Discuss each element and again give relevant examples for each point. This includes film and reasoning

Mise-en-scene – The arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play. An example is that of a cluttered, disorganized apartment being used to reflect the disorganization in a character's life in general

Cinematography - Is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for the cinema. For example the lighting used during a scene at night is not going to be ultra bright.

Editing - Is to remove unnecessary or inappropriate words, sounds, or scenes from a movie or text. For example to remove a scene because it ruins the fluency of the film.

Sound – Music, speech and sound effects when recorded used to accompany a film. For example a gun shot sound in a war scene.

What is a Narrative? List three films in which Narrative is extremely important.

A narrative is a story that is created in a constructive format that describes a sequence of fictional or non-fictional events.

V for Vendetta, Se7en, Gran Torino

What is Genre? List six different styles of Genre and list two films for each different style of Genre.

Comedy – The Hangover, Dodgeball

Horror – Paranormal Activity, The Grudge

Action – Die Hard, Mission Impossible

Drama – Invictus, The Lovely Bones,

Documentary – Bowling for Columbine, Sicko

Western – 3:10 to Yuma, Brokeback Mountain.

What is Intertextuality? How would you best explain this to someone who had never heard of it? Give three examples

Intertextuality is when there is a reference to another movie purely to evoke past memories for that film. Intertexuality is highly used in Mockumentary films Eg, Disaster movie, Date Movie, Epic Movie.