Implementing narrative codes and binary oppositions

For this task, AS students were asked to apply Barthesian narrative codes and Levi-Straussian binary oppositions in a short practical task. The goal was to create an enigmatic narrative in the form of a film poster with very little time to prep and composite (about one hour from shooting to submitting!).

In mock/real exam, you'll be asked to unpick the narrative of the unseen text and explain how it creates enigma, meaning, conflict and so on. So how do the following rough draft posters create a narrative?

If there are any more examples from any group that have not been submitted yet, please email them to Michael!

Hegemonic masculinity in action: how are young boys and girls targeted differently by media products?

Hegemony refers to the dominance of one group over another group. However, this dominance isn't achieved through violence, but through acceptance. Put simply, the group being dominated will agree with the rule of their dominators.

This sounds a little stupid. Why would we agree to be ruled without putting up a fight? But there are several examples of hegemonic control that you follow almost every day. For example:

• Sport - Football is particularly popular in the UK, to the point that if you know nothing about it, you will be potentially viewed as weird by your friends
• Music - Certain genres of music in the UK are particularly popular, especially US pop and R&B music. No one is forcing us to listen to it, but it has become an accepted norm regardless
• Normative social values - Showering every day, holding the door open for people older than you and talking to other people are all rules that you follow every day, despite the fact there would be no legal issues if you didn't do so

So why do we conform to hegemonic rule? From a Marxist perspective, we are coerced through the powerful influence of the ruling class through the mass media. These messages become so commonplace and so convincing that we are forced to adopt them. Failure to do so can lead to being cast as an outsider.

Richard Dyer is interested in the ways in which the representation of different groups of people affect the ways in which they are treated in everyday life. Consistent exposure to stereotypes can arguably shape the ideology of societies.

One form of hegemonic control that we are particularly interested in in Media Studies is patriarchal hegemony. This refers to the power asserted by men over women. It assumes that media texts as diverse as films, books and even clothing reinforce the notion that men are superior to women.

This Guardian article outlines ten examples of how young girls can potentially be 'taught' that they fulfil the stereotypical 'weaker' role of the classical gender binary. What do you think? Do Media texts confirm and reinforce biased views of gender? Is it possible that girls are essentially brainwashed from a young age in to believing they have less intrinsic worth than men do?

What you need to know about the upcoming mock exams

A few of you have had questions about the mock exams, so this guide should help you to prepare. Remember, everything you have studied from the start of this term onwards will be assessed in the exam. 

Timetable

You have been emailed your timetable for mock week. The following timetable is specific to A-level Media Studies. Red is A2, blue is AS.

Mock week timetable for February 2017. Click to see full size image

AS mock

• The AS exam will comprise solely of the textual analysis question
• You will be asked to analyse a print based media extract
• You will be asked to explicitly analyse three of the following: visual codes, technical codes, narrative, genre conventions or language 
• The wording for for question one is almost always exactly the same: "analyse [the following] with reference to (for example) visual codes, technical codes and genre conventions"
• The exam is one hour and ten minutes long
• You will sit the exam in your normal Media Studies room
• You will be expected to make reference to how the listed codes create meaning for the audience
• You can revise by using your detailed notes, exploring further case studies using the textual analysis toolkit and using the Media blog
• Resources specific to the textual analysis question can be found here
• Resources specific to narrative can be found here
• Resources specific to genre can be found here 

A2 mock

• You will be given a choice between three questions: one on representation, one on narrative and one genre
• You will be required to discuss both Skyfall and The Selfish Giant
• In order to push for a higher grade, it is essential you have a clearly defined argument/point of view
• Past paper questions can be found here. Remember, we are just looking at the text section
• The exam is one hour long
• You will sit the exam in your normal Media Studies room
• You can revise by using your detailed notes, exploring further key scenes using the textual analysis toolkit and using the Media blog
• Resources specific to narrative can be found here
• Resources specific to representation can be found here
• Resources specific to genre can be found here 

From everyone in the A-level Media team, try your very best!

Applying narrative theory to film trailers

1) Analyse the following trailers with reference to visual codes, technical codes and narrative codes. This work will be undertaken individually.

The Lobster 

The Neon Demon

Make reference to the following narrative theories where appropriate:

• Todorov's narrative triad
• Propp's morphology of folklore
• Levi-Strauss's binary oppositions
• Barthe's narrative codes

2) Form groups of 3 - 4. Plan and then make a short (two minute), oral presentation on one of the above trailers.

Q block cover work 18/01/2017

Choose ONE of the following questions. Please complete between 09:00 and 10:30. Feel free to reference your notes, books and online sources.

1) To what extent is the representation of gender in Skyfall typical? Make reference to visual codes, technical codes, and between two and three key scenes.

2) To what extent is the narrative of Skyfall typical? Make reference to visual codes, technical codes, and at least two of the following concepts:

• Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium
• Propp's character types
• The use of genre conventions
• Metanarrative
• Character archetypes

Film industry research - The James Bond franchise

Create a PowerPoint with one slide on each topic:

• Bond actors – Choose three actors who have portrayed James Bond. One of them must be the most recent Bond. Include as much information as you can, including names, ages, nationalities, fan reception, other films the actor has been in, and anything else you feel is relevant 

• Production company – Who makes the Bond films? Has it always been this way? Who produces and distributes them?

• Bond films – How many films have there been? How do they differ? Which have been most critically and commercially successful?

Extension

• Everything else? – Include slides on theme tunes, gadgets, best scenes, political context...

Tips: This PowerPoint is for your own revision. Since it's not an essay or being assessed in any way, feel free to use screenshots, copy pasted information and images from the internet. Just make sure that you present your information in a clear and reasonable way.

Introduction to MS4 - the A2 exam

The MS4 exam consists of nine separate texts:

• Three films
• Three television programmes and
• Three musical artists

This is a lot of content to get through!

We strongly recommend you divide your notes into at least three, if not nine sections.This will prevent confusion later on and make everything a lot more relaxed. Why not colour code your notes into film, television and music industry?

This diagram demonstrates which concepts and theories you will be writing about for each type of question. Don't worry if some of these seem unfamiliar: there are some new concepts we will be going over in the next sixteen weeks!

The exam: key facts

When is the exam?

Wednesday 7th June 2017 (AM)

How long is it?

2h 30 (150 minutes)

How much time on each question?

40 mins

How much planning time?

10 minutes per question

How many weeks in College do we have to prepare?

sixteen-ish

When are mocks?

w/c 7th  February

What are the key differences between the MS2 (AS) and MS4 (AS) exam?

• Detailed, extended answers
• All questions worth the same amount of marks
• Texts are now set in stone: you know exactly which nine media products you need to refer to!
• Responses require a definite argument/point of view
• Lots of different ways to answer questions

Links

Loads of articles about everything from theory to essay structure can be found under the 'MS4' label. Start reading ahead!

Here's (almost) every past question that's ever come up on the MS4 exam!

Here's an example answer that Michael wrote for the mock last year on representation (you'll get more exemplar responses as the year progresses)