Teenager describes becoming addicted to playing computer games
Another fine example of the mainstream media presenting one point of view and ignoring the real reasons behind game addiction.
Why is a child playing an 18 certificated games when they are not emotionally ready?
And why have the parents not limed his access to and time spent on his games console?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if people are allowed to play highly intense and engaging games unabated for long periods of time then the effects are not likely to be good.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Story Analysis for Media Students
Happy New Year Media Students, even if it's 15 days late!
This is your student blogger from Bristol Sophie speaking, just thought I'd introduce you to another website I've discovered. It has served to be very helpful in not only my work in animation and developing my story-telling but will also serve as a good way to analyse your work and offers good rules to follow.
The website stated is here: http://storyfanatic.com/
I hope you make some use of it!
On a more self promotional note, I've started a new blog collaborating with another story artist in Bristol under the guise of 'Inky Teapot' which can be found here: http://inkyteapot.blogspot.com/
I'd appreciate it if you had some time to let us know what you all think when we start putting up our joint efforts as it's always great to get feedback.
Thank you, and until next time!
Sophie
This is your student blogger from Bristol Sophie speaking, just thought I'd introduce you to another website I've discovered. It has served to be very helpful in not only my work in animation and developing my story-telling but will also serve as a good way to analyse your work and offers good rules to follow.
The website stated is here: http://storyfanatic.com/
I hope you make some use of it!
On a more self promotional note, I've started a new blog collaborating with another story artist in Bristol under the guise of 'Inky Teapot' which can be found here: http://inkyteapot.blogspot.com/
I'd appreciate it if you had some time to let us know what you all think when we start putting up our joint efforts as it's always great to get feedback.
Thank you, and until next time!
Sophie
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A2: In Mr. M's absence...
...please continue working on your coursework. In particular, your ancillary texts. I expect to be back in on Monday and would like to be able to sit down with each of you, ready to discuss your first complete piece of work for this unit.
Have a good weekend.
Mr. M.
Have a good weekend.
Mr. M.
Monday, January 10, 2011
A2: Cover Work From Mr. M.
1. Continue with the work on your coursework.
2. Homework: Click on this link and follow the instructions. To be completed in time for your next lesson with Mrs Neale.
Regards
Mr. M.
2. Homework: Click on this link and follow the instructions. To be completed in time for your next lesson with Mrs Neale.
Regards
Mr. M.
Friday, January 07, 2011
AS: Editing and Representation
Must read material on how editing effects representation by David Allison.
As a technical code, editing is primarily related to narrative, and many students struggle to make connections between editing and representation. They see how camera-work – such as close-ups and low angles – conveys status and emotion to the audience. The use of costume, props and settings – functions of mise en scène – are also pretty transparent. But what does match-on-action have to do with character or representation?
This list is designed to help you to start thinking about how editing can, if sometimes subtly, influence the audience’s reading of a character, and lead on to wider questions of representation. It is not an exhaustive list, and you should be wary of assuming these suggestions are either a) complete or b) foolproof – for the same reason that black and white don’t always represent good and evil (just ask a penguin). The role of editing in representation is open to interpretation, and is greatly dependent on context.. So use your own intelligence!
Action match
When following a single character (e.g. Billy Elliot) this is a purely technical device. However, when an action match is used for intercutting, it can heighten the parallels/contrasts between two different characters in two different situations – an opportunity for juxtaposition. eg: in Skins, the young Russian woman’s swinging of the axe – all sex and power – is juxtaposed with the fat Russian dinnerlady’s heavy serving of congealed mashed potato. It draws attention to the contrasting ways in which Russian women are being represented.
Eyeline match
Eyeline match usually provides insight to a character's private thoughts. eg: In Doctor Who: Last of the Time Lords, Martha exchanges glances with all the people she loves, as though this may be the last chance she has to communicate with them before she dies. Similarly, as she confronts the Master, we keep cutting from her to the family and friends watching her, signifying that she, the woman, is the centre of the action.
Final shot
In any scene, which character or characters are shown in the final shot of the sequence? This is often the character with whom the audience is expected to identify. eg: In Primeval, although Abby saves the day, the last shot is on Cutter, signifying that the audience is intended to adopt the male, not female, point of view. See also every EastEnders cliffhanger ever.
Intercutting: juxtaposition
Although typically a narrative device, intercutting can set up juxtaposition between parallel storylines, exaggerating the impact or meaning of each by highlighting a point of difference. eg: in EastEnders: Wedding Night, the warmth, light and music of the happy pre-wedding feast is in stark contrast with the two unhappy families represented in the cold and dark whenever we cut away. This provides a more favourable representation of Asian family life over white Londoners.
Intercutting: tension
When intercutting is used to draw two storylines together, this can be structured to create tension, and therefore heighten the audience;’s identification with a particular character. eg: in Primeval, intercutting between the tiger’s pursuit of Cutter and Abby’s running in with the rifle is action code and prompts the question: will she get there in time? In Hotel Babylon, intercutting offers both tension and juxtaposition: just as Adam is saving his colleague’s life with a jar of jam, another African immigrant, Ibrahim, is being lost. These lead the audience to identify with both characters
Jump cuts
These are rarely used in TV or film; when they are, they tend to suggest either a) chaos and disorder, b) self-conscious ellipsis (drawing attention to the rapid pace of the action) or c) a director who likes to break the rules! eg: In Primeval, two jump cuts accelerate Cutter’s preparation to slide down the zip-wire; this could be read as speedy and decisive.
Motivation
A motivated edit is any transition ‘forced’ on the editor by the development of the action, narrative or character. Whenever shot (a) refers to the existence of an event outside the frame, and we then cut to (b) which shows that event, that’s a motivated edit. We can sometimes judge a character’s worth or importance by the number of cuts they motivate. eg: In Primeval, Cutter runs away from the tiger, drawing it away from Abby. His constant motion motivates many cuts in this sequence, reinforcing his status as the protagonist, if not the Proppian hero. Not sure who Propp is? Then read this: Narrative.
Pace of editing
This can imply character qualities, especially if only one or two characters are in the sequence. A fast pace might suggest energy or panic (depending on context) while infrequent cuts (long takes) might suggest calm, a casual attitude, or provide documentary-style realism (as in Cast Offs). Similar effects can be achieved with speed ramping and slow-motion.
Prevalence
How much screen time does a character get? The more time we see them on screen, the more important their role. This can develop during a scene to change characters’ status. eg: in Hotel Babylon, Adam is invisible – just one of many refugees – until he steps forward to treat the diabetic maid. Suddenly, the editing favours him, and we realise his importance and skill, despite his menial status in the hotel.
Selection: to show or not to show
As experienced film-makers yourselves, it can sometimes be interesting to ask what information has been included or omitted in an edit. eg: in Primeval, as Jenny comes under increased threat from West, at no point do we cut away to her colleagues approaching the barn. To do so might have reduced the tension in the scene; not doing so arguably increases Jenny’s apparent vulnerability. Narratively, it’s also a nice surprise when the team arrive in a single cut, which contrasts with the early tiger chase (see intercutting).
Shot/reverse shot and reaction shots
S/RS indicates the relationship between two characters: it signifies and sometime exaggerates their closeness – or their opposition (depending on the context). The amount of time given to a character’s reaction shots can convey their status in the scene. For example, if two character are in S/RS conversation, do they get equal screen time, or do we spend more time looking at one character, speaking and reacting? Equally (though this is also a function of camera, are the two characters framed equally? eg: in Doctor Who, the S/RS between Martha and the Master gives Martha CUs and the Master MCUs, conveying Martha’s greater status as a character, even if narratively she appears defeated.
Keep thinking
This is just the start. What ways can YOU see in which editing influences representation in TV Drama? And are you sure all of these are right? They won’t always mean the same thing!
As a technical code, editing is primarily related to narrative, and many students struggle to make connections between editing and representation. They see how camera-work – such as close-ups and low angles – conveys status and emotion to the audience. The use of costume, props and settings – functions of mise en scène – are also pretty transparent. But what does match-on-action have to do with character or representation?
This list is designed to help you to start thinking about how editing can, if sometimes subtly, influence the audience’s reading of a character, and lead on to wider questions of representation. It is not an exhaustive list, and you should be wary of assuming these suggestions are either a) complete or b) foolproof – for the same reason that black and white don’t always represent good and evil (just ask a penguin). The role of editing in representation is open to interpretation, and is greatly dependent on context.. So use your own intelligence!
Action match
When following a single character (e.g. Billy Elliot) this is a purely technical device. However, when an action match is used for intercutting, it can heighten the parallels/contrasts between two different characters in two different situations – an opportunity for juxtaposition. eg: in Skins, the young Russian woman’s swinging of the axe – all sex and power – is juxtaposed with the fat Russian dinnerlady’s heavy serving of congealed mashed potato. It draws attention to the contrasting ways in which Russian women are being represented.
Eyeline match
Eyeline match usually provides insight to a character's private thoughts. eg: In Doctor Who: Last of the Time Lords, Martha exchanges glances with all the people she loves, as though this may be the last chance she has to communicate with them before she dies. Similarly, as she confronts the Master, we keep cutting from her to the family and friends watching her, signifying that she, the woman, is the centre of the action.
Final shot
In any scene, which character or characters are shown in the final shot of the sequence? This is often the character with whom the audience is expected to identify. eg: In Primeval, although Abby saves the day, the last shot is on Cutter, signifying that the audience is intended to adopt the male, not female, point of view. See also every EastEnders cliffhanger ever.
Intercutting: juxtaposition
Although typically a narrative device, intercutting can set up juxtaposition between parallel storylines, exaggerating the impact or meaning of each by highlighting a point of difference. eg: in EastEnders: Wedding Night, the warmth, light and music of the happy pre-wedding feast is in stark contrast with the two unhappy families represented in the cold and dark whenever we cut away. This provides a more favourable representation of Asian family life over white Londoners.
Intercutting: tension
When intercutting is used to draw two storylines together, this can be structured to create tension, and therefore heighten the audience;’s identification with a particular character. eg: in Primeval, intercutting between the tiger’s pursuit of Cutter and Abby’s running in with the rifle is action code and prompts the question: will she get there in time? In Hotel Babylon, intercutting offers both tension and juxtaposition: just as Adam is saving his colleague’s life with a jar of jam, another African immigrant, Ibrahim, is being lost. These lead the audience to identify with both characters
Jump cuts
These are rarely used in TV or film; when they are, they tend to suggest either a) chaos and disorder, b) self-conscious ellipsis (drawing attention to the rapid pace of the action) or c) a director who likes to break the rules! eg: In Primeval, two jump cuts accelerate Cutter’s preparation to slide down the zip-wire; this could be read as speedy and decisive.
Motivation
A motivated edit is any transition ‘forced’ on the editor by the development of the action, narrative or character. Whenever shot (a) refers to the existence of an event outside the frame, and we then cut to (b) which shows that event, that’s a motivated edit. We can sometimes judge a character’s worth or importance by the number of cuts they motivate. eg: In Primeval, Cutter runs away from the tiger, drawing it away from Abby. His constant motion motivates many cuts in this sequence, reinforcing his status as the protagonist, if not the Proppian hero. Not sure who Propp is? Then read this: Narrative.
Pace of editing
This can imply character qualities, especially if only one or two characters are in the sequence. A fast pace might suggest energy or panic (depending on context) while infrequent cuts (long takes) might suggest calm, a casual attitude, or provide documentary-style realism (as in Cast Offs). Similar effects can be achieved with speed ramping and slow-motion.
Prevalence
How much screen time does a character get? The more time we see them on screen, the more important their role. This can develop during a scene to change characters’ status. eg: in Hotel Babylon, Adam is invisible – just one of many refugees – until he steps forward to treat the diabetic maid. Suddenly, the editing favours him, and we realise his importance and skill, despite his menial status in the hotel.
Selection: to show or not to show
As experienced film-makers yourselves, it can sometimes be interesting to ask what information has been included or omitted in an edit. eg: in Primeval, as Jenny comes under increased threat from West, at no point do we cut away to her colleagues approaching the barn. To do so might have reduced the tension in the scene; not doing so arguably increases Jenny’s apparent vulnerability. Narratively, it’s also a nice surprise when the team arrive in a single cut, which contrasts with the early tiger chase (see intercutting).
Shot/reverse shot and reaction shots
S/RS indicates the relationship between two characters: it signifies and sometime exaggerates their closeness – or their opposition (depending on the context). The amount of time given to a character’s reaction shots can convey their status in the scene. For example, if two character are in S/RS conversation, do they get equal screen time, or do we spend more time looking at one character, speaking and reacting? Equally (though this is also a function of camera, are the two characters framed equally? eg: in Doctor Who, the S/RS between Martha and the Master gives Martha CUs and the Master MCUs, conveying Martha’s greater status as a character, even if narratively she appears defeated.
Keep thinking
This is just the start. What ways can YOU see in which editing influences representation in TV Drama? And are you sure all of these are right? They won’t always mean the same thing!
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