Spectre - representational issues

The representation of setting, the representation of London

Find and screencap (CMD+shift+4) THREE images that are indicative of London. How is London represented in this film? Analyse these three images with reference to the textual analysis toolkit.

Considering diametric oppositions: Bond and Blofeld

Representations of masculinity in promotional material

Watch this linked advert for a Sony high definition TV featuring Craig as Bond and tied in to Quantum of Solace (2008). What representations of masculinity are constructed in this advert? What is happening to Bond's body? If films exist to provide escapist Utopian fantasies to the audience, what uses and gratifications can this advert provide the audience?

Character dossiers

Select three named characters from Spectre, and, for each, select one key scene. Fill out this table, or create a similar table.

Representation of non-Britishness - Hinx

Watch the scene where Bond fights Hinx on the train, from the moment he kicks the table away to where Madeleine asks Bond "what should we do next?". How has Hinx been constructed as 'foreign'? You can consider the following:

• Costume
• Gestures
• Editing
• Face and facial features
• Manners (!)
• Cinematography (particularly shot type - what is the spatial relationship Hinx has with the train, and particularly it's doors?)

"Daniel Craig's James Bond Movies Are So Boring"

Read this article published recently in Vice. How does this article support your own reading of the narrative of Spectre? What parts do you agree with and disagree with? Making brief reference to this article would be a fantastic way of criticising the way in which modern Bond films utilise narrative!

"How stereotypical are the representations of gender in your chosen texts?"

Use one example of male representation and one of female representation.

Write a paragraph for Spectre in response to this question, using your ideas from the previous tasks to help you. You should try to include:

• Specific textual analysis
• Media terminology
• Discussion of meanings and responses
• Reference to industry context (where possible).

Target Audience

•  Who is the films target audience? How does it target this audience. Explore the marketing campaign - How does Spectre reach a global audience? 
• Audience theory - How can we apply Users and Gratifications theory to this film? What pleasures does it offer audiences? 

Audience Positioning

•  How does the film allow us to side with and identify with Bond? What techniques does Mendes use in order to ensure this? Can the text be read differently? (Consider notions of preferred readings and audience reception here)

Audience Responses

• Spectre was the most complained about film in 2015. Why? What issues around censorship doers this raise? 
• How was the film received critically? 

Audience negotiation 

One way in which audiences can negotiate, use or take gratification from the Bond franchise is to speculate online as to who the next Bond actor may be. Recent conversations have focussed on the potential of a non-male and/or non-white actor playing Bond. What actors are in the running for the role, what are newspapers, blogs and audiences saying on social media, and what issues and representational debates does this throw up? You can find information by simply Googling "next james bond actor" and seeing what you find!

Product placement

Google this term. What does it mean, and what advantages does utilising it offer producers? Skim through Spectre. What real world products are used in this film? What brands of clothes are worn, what technology is used, and what cars are driven?You may need to Google for the specifics.

Umberto Eco’s analysis of narrative in Bond films

Umberto Eco was an author and semiotician who, broadly speaking, explored the relationship between language and meaning. Eco studied Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as opposed to the films, yet his findings can ultimately be applied to Spectre. Can the above analysis work with Spectre? For each letter, select an event that best fits the description. What do your findings tell you about narrative in the Bond films?