Master And Commander

1) Explain two ways the characters and/or events in this extract fit the action adventure genre. 

The characters fit the action adventure genre as they are all male. This is very typical of this genre as is the fact that they are all strong leaders who refuse to give up. The main character is the protagonist who will not surrender his ship and orders his men to fight with gusto and bravery. This fits the action adventure genre as the characters will not give up despite the seemingly almost impossible odds. They are all quite physically strong as well as mentally strong men which also fits the action adventure genre as often males are the lead role and they are strong and capable. They are very willing to fight which fits the action adventure genre as these characters are not afraid of violence or conflict. There is a sidekick in this clip which fits the action adventure genre as the protagonist normally always has someone who will help and back them all the way. The protagonist and sidekick are both stock characters as they always appear in action adventure films. The characters also fit the action adventure genre as they have a good, strong friendship and support each other.   

The events fit this extract as there is a lot of cannons, explosions, shrapnel and destruction. These all fit the action adventure genre as they are all part of the battle going on between the two ships. These conventions add drama, suspense and tension which all fit the action adventure genre. The firing of the cannons is very quick and constant, one straight after another with helps build the tension,therefore fitting the action adventure genre. The events like the explosions and flying shrapnel happen very chaotically which fits the action adventure genre. All these events create a battle and conflict aspect which fits the action adventure genre. The mast falling down on the ship is a key event that fits action adventure as that is the peak of the tension built up by the rest of the battle.There is a lull as the mast falls and the battle and chaos kick off again which fits the action adventure genre as suspense is built, reaches a high point and then resumes again.



2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects that fit the action adventure genre:
soundtrack
camerawork
editing
mise-en-scène. [20]




The soundtrack creates effects as a film score is used throughout the entire clip. This is a non diegetic and non synchronous sound. The film score in this clip is a piece of dramatic music that steadily plays throughout the whole clip and this creates the effect of tension and suspense. The film score is louder and more prominent after the mast falls on the rival ship and this creates the effect of the protagonist winning and also keeps the suspense going on throughout the clip. There is also the diegetic sound of the men, they are yelling, shouting and grunting which is synchronous sound. This helps create the effect of the audience being in the scene as it makes it realistic. There are also sound effects in this clip of the cannons firing and the explosions this creates tension and rising suspense as these sounds are very crisp and clear. These effects are louder than any other sound to help create an enforce the effect of tension.

The camerawork creates effects as the first shot is an establishing shot. This creates the effect of setting the scene for the audience so they can clearly see and understand the setting. This shot helps the audience to feel involved with the scene as it helps them gain perspective of the setting. A tracking shot is used while filming the cannons coming out out of the ship and this creates the effect of building tension as it shows the ship getting ready for battle and gearing up for the conflict to come. A tracking shot also creates the effect of showing the audience the cannons in enough detail for them to feel and understand the rising tension but dose not focus on them too long that the audience gets bored. Shallow focus is used when the captain is giving his orders to the crew and when he is looking across to the other ship in the smoke. This creates the effect of helping the reader understand this character as they are solely focused on his face meaning it is easy to read and understand his emotions. Low angled shots are used when the mast is falling down as it creates the effect of the mast falling on the reader which makes it more realistic for them and makes them feel like they are there, involved in the clip. Point of view shots are used at the start when the captain orders his crew to fight and in many other places like when the men are pulling the rope through the pulley. This is used to help create the effect of the audience understanding and relating to the characters as they can see first hand what they are going through. Finally hand held camera shots are used a lot throughout the clip. like when filming the cannon balls hitting the ship. This also creates the effect of the audience being in the scene and also builds tension and suspense due to the non perfectly smooth and shake effect created.

Editing is used to create effects by there being cross cutting editing as this shows the audience all the different pieces of action happening at the same time. This editing is used when the man fires the cannon and then cutting to see the cannon ball leave the cannon, this helps build tension and suspense as well as showing the audience all the action. Continuity editing is used through out the entire clip to keep the narrative flowing smoothly and helping the audiences attention stay on the action. An example of continuity editing in this clip is where the locations change from up on deck to down below deck. There is fast paced editing when the cannon balls hit the ship and cause destruction and when the crew are firing the cannons back. Fast paced editing is used to create the effect of tension and suspense as it creates a chaotic and adrenaline filled atmosphere. Finally shot reverse shot editing is used when the Captain is talking to one of his crew, this creates the effect of the audience understanding and relating to the characters as they can clearly see the emotions and read their thoughts from their facial expressions.

Mise en scene creates the effect of helping the audience by creating the right atmosphere and situation for the time period set in. This clip is not set in modern day an mise en scene helps convey this to the audience. All the characters are men and British which creates the effect of the time period being in the 1800's. All the men are wearing sailor and pirate like clothes, such as white baggy shirts, with the sleeves rolled up and long hair. This creates the effect that the men are used to being on a ship as they don't look out of place. Some of their outfit is dirty and slightly out of place but the dirt looks like its from being on the sea a long time and not from the battle, which creates the effect they are protagonists. This creates the effect that they are strong men who are winning the battle with out to many problems. The props of the big wooden wheel and the ropes creates the effect of this being a old fashioned ship as their are no modern gadgets on board and the ropes show create the effect of teamwork and comradery of the men as they all work together to pull them. The props of the smoke creates suspense and drama as the captain looks more dramatic walking through the smoke and increase the tension. The props of guns create the effect of violence, action and the willingness to fight from the men.

3) Discuss how people are represented in the extract

The main character in this extract is male following the action adventure stereotype of the lead being male; this is because males are viewed as the stronger, more dominate sex. The main character is represented as strong both mentally and physically, he is the leader and captain of the ship and is clearly respected by his crew as they follow his every order. He is also very strong physically too as he easily controls the big wheel on the front of the ship. He is represented as the main protagonist and this is shown by his willingness to fight as shown by him yelling "lets fight" at the start. He will not give up and let the antagonist win easily by surrendering, instead he orders to fight and takes control of the battle. He is also represented as quite clever and wise as he always has the answers for any problems like where to steer the ship.

The men (the stock characters) are represented as typical action adventure characters. They too are not scared to fight and show determination by not surrendering. They are also represented as a good team, as they all work efficiently and successfully with each other. They are represented as the typical person to be on that boat at that time, all ready to fight, obey orders and work together. The sidekick is represented as good friend to have as shown by the fact that he gets down and dirty with the crew under the deck and follows the captains every order.    
         

Homework Questions Hurt Locker

1) Explain 2 ways the characters and/or events fit the action adventure genre:

The characters fit the action adventure as there is a clear protagonist of the character William James. He tries to save the day whatever the cost and even tries to save someone many people don't think is worth saving. This character is a clear action adventure convention and fits the genre. Another way the characters fit the action adventure genre, is that they are all men and all in a army and conflict role. They all carry guns and other weapons which fits the action adventure. Along with the protagonist there is a sidekick who helps and backs the protagonist all the way even if they don't 100% agree with what the protagonist is saying, in this clip the sidekick is Sgt. Sanborn. These are both stock characters that will appear in most action adventure films as they are clear conventions of action adventure. They way these characters interact and act around each other such as the swearing, the fist bumps and the general comradery fits the action adventure genre and army based setting very well.

The events that happen in this clip fit the action adventure genre as they are very dramatic, tense and chaotic. There are explosions and lot of build up of tension. Everything happens very quickly, flashing from one to person to another, from one place to another, this build up a lot of tension for the audience watching. The conflict in this clip on if to save the man or not is also a key action adventure genre, the decision the protagonist has on if to risk it or not this creates tension and suspense. The fine line between good and evil is a key convention of the action adventure genre, especially in this clip as it is in a very realistic and army setting which makes the decision harder and more relateable for the audience.


2) Explain how each of the following is used to create effects- soundtrack, editing, mise en scene and camerawork

Soundtrack- From the start of this clip up to the point where William James approaches the man with the bomb there is the sound of a road rumbling away in the background. This is a sound bridge as helps keep the audience based on what is happening during the quick flash editing and also help create a more realistic effect as the audience can tell they are in a real everyday setting for that group of people and the country they are in. This sound stops when William James is right up with man with the bomb as this is the peak point of the clip and the audience needs to be able hear and focus on the two men (nothing else) for the tension and suspense to be felt effectively. At the start of the clip when William James comes in the army truck a very clear mechanical sound can be heard from the truck; this is a synchronous and diegetic sound and helps create the realistic and army, mechanical, harsh setting that matches with the sound of the guns clacking. Along with the truck sound of the guns being loaded and set is also very clear at the start of the clip. This is also a mechanical, hard synchronous and diegetic that helps create a very real, army and conflict effect. Throughout the scene the different men talking to each can be heard. This is a diegetic sound and the volume at which they are speaking changes depending on who is speaking to who. This helps create the effect for the audience to see who is closer to who and who people trust more. This also helps create the effect of showing who is the authority figure as when William James shouts everyone listens to him and even  when he is talking quietly and personally to Sgt. Sandborn he gets the last word. Throughout the different volumes of talking there is always a undertone of urgency and adrenaline and it always very fast paced which helps create the suspense and tension.When approaching the man with the bomb the audience can clearly hear William James footsteps which is a diegetic sounds and helps create the effect of the audience being in the scene and involved. It makes it more real for the audience and increases the tension. This effect is also created by hearing William James and the man with the bomb breathing which is a diegetic sound that again makes the film more real and tense for the audience.              

Editing- Throughout the entire scene there is a lot of fast paced editing. The shots jump from different areas in the setting and from different people. This take places when William James is talking to the fellow troops and it is always used to flash back to man with the bomb. The fast paced editing constantly flashes from the man with the bomb and William James and the others and back to where the rest of the troops are. This creates a lot of tension as the audience has to keep up with what is going on and as the editing get faster and faster more tension builds up. Shot reverse editing is used when the main protagonist William James is talking to people. This is particularly used when he is talking to translator, this creates the effect of the audience feeling for William James as it is as if they are there in his shoes talking to people. Jump cut is also used when editing the shots of the man with the bomb, as it creates the effect of the audience focussing on him. This also creates the effect of building tension as every time a jump cut is used for the man with the bomb it as if the bomb is going to explode. Finally continuity editing and cut editing is used throughout the clip as it helps link all the action and talking going on together. This created the effect of the film flowing and allows the audience to keep up with the storyline. As cut editing is used when editing the man with the bomb and William James it creates the effect of the audience knowing on who to focus on and why.  

Mise En Scene- The costumes add effect as they are military camouflage as they add to the military and conflict effect. The fact that all the soldiers are wearing helmets adds the effects of danger and that they are all heavily armed. The props of the different weapons also adds to the military and conflict effect and this also adds to effect of danger as it clear the men need these weapons to protect themselves. The lighting is very natural to add to the realistic effect for the audience, there are no special effects for the lighting to keep the situation feel more real for the audience. No special effects are used as the attention needs to be focussed on the men for the tension build up to work effectively.

Camerawork- Near the start of this clip a establishing shot is used when William James arrives in the truck. This shot shows the whole setting for this clip so the audience can see how close the man with the bomb is to the troops and rest of general setting. This helps create the effect of setting the scene for the audience so they feel more involved as they know the setting. Throughout the whole clip hand held camera shots are used to create the effect of the audience being there in the scene, like when following William James move around. This helps the whole effect of the movie get across to the audience from the building suspense and tension to making it as realistic as possible. Tracking shots are also used throughout the clip like when moving from the man with bomb back to the troops and moving from different characters. This creates the effect of the audience being able to follow the action and events with ease. Shallow focussed shots are used when William James is talking to Sgt. Sandborn quietly as it allows the audience to focus on their faces to see the emotion and what they are feeling. This creates the effect of the audience being being able to understand and empathise with the characters more. Finally point of view shots are used when William James is approaching the man with bomb as it allows the audience to see the scene the way that he would see it. This creates the effect of audience being "in" the scene and also allows them to empathise with William James.

3) Discuss the way in which people are represented in the extract

William James is represented as the typical protagonist, he is willing to risk everything to try to save the day. This is shown by the way he is the only person to try and save the man with the bomb even when most other people think he is not worth saving. He is also clearly represented as the leader and most high in command member of the soldiers. This is shown by the way he talks to everyone and how they all listen and respect him even if don't agree with his plans. He fits the stereotypical army and military role as he is a male and is not afraid to shout or be blunt to get himself heard. He knows what he wants and is determined to do it. The rest of the other soldiers are also represented as stereotypical military people by the fact they are all male and can all be blunt,harsh and all swear. They have no problem with shooting the man with the bomb which shows they have a hardened personality and understand that the death of one person is something that may be needed to be done to save more people. They calculate the risk and also have trouble trusting people that are not their troops as shown by one of them saying "Oh, he's not a bad man? He's got a bomb strapped to him!" which shows how unwilling they are to trust the man. They also fit the military role as they all obey their orders perfectly even if they don't always agree with them. Despite the harsh way they are represented they are also represented as good friends and good people who are only trying to do what is right in a difficult situation. They all clearly care for each other as shown by the way Sgt. Sandborn dose not want William James to try and rescue the man and how is very reluctant to leave him with the man with the bomb. This shows the strong friendship between the men.                


   

Question 2: Explain how each of the following is used to create effects- soundtrack, editing, mise en scene and camerawork

Editing-
The editing creates an effect as most of it is fast paced editing. This is used to create and build up tension as the pace is getting faster and faster, which cause the tension. This editing is used in the scene after the explosion on the plane when he firsts lands on the beach, to show the audience the danger and how is life is in peril. CGI is also used heavily as it helps create a futuristic effect that fits the military industrial setting. This helps to convey the huge battle scene as it adds the effect of futuristic times. Cut editing is used to show the audience a change of setting and time, this is used when William Cage dies and starts all over again at the army base. This is a very abrupt change as it creates tension and shock to make the audience jump. This editing also helps the audience to really understand there has been a change of setting. Shot reverse shot editing is used when William Cage is talking to Rita to show the emotion on their faces. This is used to help the audience feel, relate and empathise to the characters. The quick changing between their faces can also be used to create suspense.


Camerawork-
The scene starts with an establishing shot to clearly show the audience the area and place for the scene. This has the effect of setting the scene for the audience. Throughout the scene there is a lot of hand-held camera shots. This is used when following William Cage around the battle scene. This creates the effect that the audience is in the scene, it makes the audience feel involved in the scene. There is a brief point of view shot when William Cage looks down at his control pad, this is used as it helps the audience feel the same panic and fear that William Cage is feeling. Shallow focus is used when William Cage is first back at the army base after dyeing to focus the audience solely on him and the emotions displayed on his face. This creates the effect of the audience feeling for William Cage.


Mise En Scene-
The costume create a effect that matches the futuristic setting and feeling already created by the editing and camerawork. The costumes of all the characters including William Cage is made of metal and very robotic based. All the costumes are armed that add to the army based effect and the metal on the costumes adds to the industrial effect. The setting really enforces the futuristic and industrial theme as there is lots of tanks, planes, helicopters and other military vehicles in the background. The rubble laying around with the small fires also creates a military battle scene. The props used also help create the military, industrial and futuristic setting, such as the guns, weapons and how everything is very technology based. The lighting is quite light to help make it clear to the audience what is happening, however the sky itself is very grey and overcast to show the mood of the battle scene.


Soundtrack-
There is non-diegetic sound at the very start of scene. This a very dramatic piece of music with no lyrics and it helps set the scene for the audience, as it forewarns them that something big is going to happen. It builds up tension. This is replaced by mechanical sounds when they are on the helicopter, this is an synchronous sound as the audience would expect to hear machine like sounds on the helicopter. This adds to the futuristic and industrial as they are sounds that are typically expected. That sounds fades and can be heard faintly in the background when the Major starts talking to the troops this and this is diegetic sound. Sound effects are used when the helicopter blows up to create the effect of the explosion, the alarm bells sound and the sound when William Cage drops to the battleground. This is used along side the editing to keep up the fast paces effect which creates the effect of panic and fear for the audience. From these sounds the mayhem and chaos effect is displayed to the audience. Once William Cage is back on the battleground the dramatic music non-diegetic sound is back, the same as the start. This helps create the effect that William Cage is a barve, hero like protagonist.    

Explain the two ways that the characters and/or events fit the action adventure genre

William Cage (the main character) conforms to the action adventure genre by being daring, trying to be the hero and trying to save the day. He is also a underdog which is a typical convention of a action adventure film. As the main character he is the protagonist and he risks his life to help/save others. There is dramatic movement with him running and dodging bullets and other danger, there is also dramatic music that is a convention of action adventure. It is set in harsh, futuristic (this mixes with the sci-fi genre making it a hybrid genre) that has a lot of fire, explosions and bullets, these are part of the action sequences that are added to conform to the action adventure genre. Sound effects are also use effectively, as is a key feature of the dramatic build up of tension.

4) A- Compare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels

Bad Education is commissioned by the BBC. It was produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC3.


Bad Education is aimed at 15-20 year olds, both males and females. This is because the programme is based around 15-16 years olds as many of the characters are that age. As it is set in a school it is relatable to the 15-20 age group as they are either in school or have shortly left school. It appeals to both genders as both genders are featured it dose not favour one or the other. Teenagers can relate to the characters as they are ordinary (like themselves) and are in the same situation and have the same mind-set as the teenagers watching.


Bad Education was shown at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday night. The programme was shown at this time as that is the time the target audience is free and likely to be relaxing and watching TV. Bad Education is shown on the BBC as it a British programme, set in a British school featuring British actors and characters. The BBC may also commission Bad Education to help attract a younger audience. Bad Education is shown after the 9PM watershed as it includes sexual references and inappropriate language. Bad Education also portrays school in a slightly more realistic and negative light, that older viewers and the target audience will understand and find funny but younger viewers won't and will be more shocked. This audience demographic is E as they are students.


Friday Night Dinner


Friday Night Dinner is commissioned by Channel 4. It was produced by Popper Pictures and Big Talk Productions.
Friday Night Dinner target audience is the Jewish Community as the programme is about Friday night dinner which is part of their culture so it appeals to them a lot. The ages of the target audience can really vary as the age of the characters do. It will appeal to 18-25 year olds, mainly boys, as two of the four main characters are this age making them very relate able 55 years olds, both males and females, as they will be able to relate to the parents in the programme.
The programme is on a Sunday after the 9 PM watershed, because the humor is not meant for younger audiences.

The target audience of 18-25 year old males is due to two of the main characters being this age and they have both appeared in other comedy sitcoms aimed at this audience. This audience demographic is E and also the older ages in this age range are B. 

A public service broadcaster has more freedom as they broadcast shows that appeal to lots of different people, as shown by Bad Education appealing to 15-20 years old.



The program's have different humor styles due to them being commissioned by different channels. Bad Education can be more risky with their comedy as it is commissioned by the BBC which is a public service so they don't have to meet advertisers needs. Part of their service is to provide entertainment for smaller, niche target audiences like how Bad Education appeals to 15-20 so they can be more risky with their humor to please the target audience. Friday Night Dinner on the other hand is commissioned by ITV and they are a commercial station so have to please paying advertisers, this means there is less chance for them to be risky with their humor as they will no longer be paying for the program if the risk dose not pay off.      

Audience Pleasures- Bad Education

Narrative Pleasures- The narrative pleasure is that you know something is going to go wrong for Alfie, because of his own doing, and he is going to have to do something stupid to save the day. In the episode Parents Evening Alife keeps lying to Miss Gulliver and the lie spirals out of control (which is a snowballing storyline) leading him to have to stand on a chair, at the end, in front of everyone to try and stop her from finding out the lie but just ends up embarrassing himself. Throughout this storyline viewers will be laughing at Alfies consistently bad choices as the situation gets funnier and funnier as the problem get worse and worse. The audience knows that Alfie will still have his job at the end even if he himself ends up without Miss Gulliver and embarrassed. The storyline is always based in the same place of Abbey Grove High school so the viewers are comfortable and familiar with the setting. 

Character Identification- Alfie is a popular character as he is the most likeable in the show out of the teachers. He acts more like a teenager as shown by his language and actions throughout Parents Evening, like how he is very sarcastic and cringes at Mr Frasers attempts to be “cool”. The audience knows Alfie so well because he is relatable and they are able to identify with him easily. They can predict him lying and doing anything to go out with to go out with Miss Gulliver. Alfie appeals to the target audience as they are surrounded by teachers so can recognise some traits, however they like Alfie as he is different and more like them in his teenage ways. Alfies intentions always set out to be good and successful (even if they do veer off track sometimes) and the audience like to laugh at his chaotic and full of bad decisions life. The audience is always on Alfies side as they identify easily with him. Alfie plays the character of the loveable loser which is a character that audiences warms to very quickly due to his optimistic attitude and accidental ways that get him into a mess. Alfie is always the loveable loser: his roles never change. This is giving familiarity to audience making it easy for them to identify with Alife. Alfie uses verbal comedy to relate with the audience. The rest of the class are also easy to identify with as they all play stereotypical roles. Jing is the logical smart one, she always tries to help the situation and puts up with Alfies constant mistakes and mess ups. She uses verbal comedy often slating Alfie in her native tone while he is completely oblivious. Grayson is the bully and can even bully Alfie despite being the student. Grayson plays the stereotypical bully, he is lower class and not very clever, he uses verbal comedy to identify with audience. There is also Chantelle who is the manizer, and plays the stereotypical slutty girl. She flirts with everyone and often uses sexual humour and puns, this is verbal comedy. The target audience identifies with all these characters as although they are stereotypes there are clear links to the people they see and interact with everyday in school. They understand the characters and find the over-exaggeration of their stereotypical funny and entertaining.  

 

  

Schedulling

Bad Education


Bad Education is commissioned by the BBC. It was produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC3.


Bad Education is aimed at 15-20 year olds, both males and females. This is because the programme is based around 15-16 years olds as many of the characters are that age. As it is set in a school it is relatable to the 15-20 age group as they are either in school or have shortly left school. It appeals to both genders as both genders are featured it dose not favour one or the other. Teenagers can relate to the characters as they are ordinary (like themselves) and are in the same situation and have the same mind-set as the teenagers watching.


Bad Education was shown at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday night. The programme was shown at this time as that is the time the target audience is free and likely to be relaxing and watching TV. Bad Education is shown on the BBC as it a British programme, set in a British school featuring British actors and characters. The BBC may also commission Bad Education to help attract a younger audience. Bad Education is shown after the 9PM watershed as it includes sexual references and inappropriate language. Bad Education also portrays school in a slightly more realistic and negative light, that older viewers and the target audience will understand and find funny but younger viewers won't and will be more shocked.








Friday Night Dinner


Friday Night Dinner is commissioned by Channel 4. It was produced by Popper Pictures and Big Talk Productions.
Friday Night Dinner target audience is the Jewish Community as the programme is about Friday night dinner which is part of their culture so it appeals to them a lot. The ages of the target audience can really vary as the age of the characters do. It will appeal to 18-25 year olds, mainly boys, as two of the four main characters are this age making them very relatable. It will also appeal to 40-55 years olds, both males and females, as they will be able to relate to the parents in the programme.
The programme is on a Sunday after the 9 PM watershed.