Exam Practice

Question 4b
Compare the audience pleasures offered by two comedy programmes. Give examples from the programmes.

In the comedy programmes The Inbetweeners and QI, different audience pleasures are portrayed including entertainment, escapism and informing. Each programme has a different target audience to suit the context and language used.

The Inbetweeners is aimed at teenage and young adult males as they are likely to relate to the situations. Each of the four main characters have different personalities which make them individual and a male who is watching would be able to compare himself or a friend to either Neil, Simon, Will or Jay. Females would also watch this programme to see what the male gender thinks and acts like. In one episode Simon says 'He's 40, his life is practically over.' Which shows how the teenagers think that the older generation are so different and cannot relate to their situations. The audience feel superior to most of the characters as they all have flaws which is used for entertainment. The character Will is portrayed as the guy who tries hard but fails with socialising which is shown when he brings a game of monopoly on a camping trip. Neil is the generally stupid character who is unaware of what is happening around him. Simon is portrayed as the hopeless romantic, for a girl named Carly who shows little interest in him and Jay portrays braggadocio with his constant lies about his sexual relations with a number of girls. The audience can relate to their failures at socialising with the rest of the characters.

The programme QI is a quiz show hosted by Stephen Fry which is targeted at an older audience. QI is able to inform the audience as well as entertain. The purpose of the show is for the panel to answer with a common myth which in fact is proven wrong. The audience may feel inferior to Stephen Fry as he is portrayed as very intelligent. However he is accepting to any answers and does not make the panel members feel small. Although Stephen Fry make the audience feel inferior, Alan Davies who is the permenant panel member is always getting the questions incorrect. His wrong answers may make the audience feel superior when they know the correct answers. As the programme is a quiz show the audience are always thinking of what the answer may be and this makes them an active audience rather then the passive audience watching Inbetweeners. The people who watch QI would want to discover new facts and information to educate themselves.

Blood Ivory

Slide Share final evaluation:
http://www.slideshare.net/Jenny_adams14/your-evaluation-b324-17905990

Blood Ivory final:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPAiEFHTv4k

Gladiator

It is clear in the opening of Gladiator that the main character is a hero. He is portrayed as honourable and respected as the other men bow down or salute him as he passes. As he leads his man into war he is brave which makes him a strong leader. Although he has a strong warrior side, he also has a peaceful side which is shown through the use of nature. At the beginning he is shown looking at a robin which may show hope, and he is also shown along side a dog. This portrays him as gentle and trustworthy. The audience sees him running his hand through the harverst in a field which is only in his imagination. There are voices in the background which suggest he has children at home, and as he is wearing a ring it would suggest he is married with this family. By showing this man as peaceful but also ready to fight creates an image of a good leader and a strong hero.


The opening of Gladiator clearly portrays the typical action adventure genre. The audience becomes aware that a battle is about to commence as men in armour are shown preparing spears and shields.They are shown in a battle against barbarians. As soon as the battle begins, everthing appears to happen at a fast speed which creates tension for the audience watching. The barbarians are much less organised than the Romans and they are not as well presented. The Romans are in nice armour appearing prepared, whereas the barbarians are presented unshaved and unorganised. Many deaths are shown as soon as the battle begins which is typical in an action adventure film. Also there are arrows lit with flames being fired, which cause great explosions. This is also very typical in an action and adventure film.

Mission Impossible Opening

The opening of Mission Impossible makes it clear to the audience that it is an action and adventure film. The opening shot is of Tom Cruise climbing a rock with no harness, he is very high up which shows the dangerous situation he is in. This setting is typical in the action adventure genre as it creates suspense for the audience as they wait to find out if Tom Cruise makes it alive. His strength and skill is clear which are typical traits for a hero. Whilst climbing he slips and it appears that he is going to fall off, however his experience is shown as he is able to pull himself back up fairly easily. As he reaches the top of the rocks, a helicopter appears and a small rocket shaped device is shot towards Tom Cruise. As he opens up the device there are a pair of sunglasses which are special spy glasses. By the use of words such as 'mission' it is made clear to the audience that the film is specifically a spy action adventure theme. The audience feel frightened as he is climbing as it is dangerous, after he falls and manages to go on the audience feel relieved and trust him. After he has been informed of the mission he smiles which creates trust between him and the audience. It is made fairly clear that he is the hero as he is given the mission however not enough is revealed in this extract to know much about him.

The IT Crowd

The IT crowd is a comedy television series which is shown on channel four. It is an award winning comedy written by Graham Linehan, produced by Ash Atalla and starring Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherin Parkinson and Matt Berry. The show is filmed before a live studio audience. It is set inthe London offices of the fictional Reynholm Industries, the show revolves around the three staff members of its IT department: a geeky genius named Maurice Moss, the workshy Roy Trenneman, and Jen Barber, the department head who knows nothing about IT. The characters Moss and Roy are portrayed as socially inept geeks or, in Denholm Reynholm's words, "standard nerds". Despite the company's dependence on their services, they are despised, ignored, and considered losers by the rest of the staff.

QI

QI is a comedy panel quiz with host Stephen Fry.  QI has the intention of entertaining the audience as well as informing them of random pointless information. The idea of the show, is that when a question is asked the most interesting answer wins rather than the most correct. The humour of the show comes from the entertaining answers produced by the panel. QI tries to rid the world of the nonsense and old wives' tales that can build up in your mind. The programme not only makes us look at things more closely, but it encourages us to question all the received wisdom we have carried with us since childhood.

The host Stephen Fry has the job of asking questions. He is aware of the correct answer and encourages the other panelists to give any kind of answer. He is not intimidating and does not make fun of the contestants when their answer is incorrect. Stephen Fry portrays himself on the side of the panelists and is comforting when they give their answers.

The man always on the panel is Alan Davies. He is what makes the show so entertaining. When a question is asked, he is likely to be first to say an incorrect answer. By doing this it makes the audience laugh but also makes them feel smarter. Each contestant is given a different buzzer, and Alan Davies' always has the  most humorous. This causes the audience to laugh at him and makes the show more entertaining.

SITCOM CHARACTER PROFILE

In this session, we each make a character profile of the character that we are playing. I am playing Georgie the waitress.

• I am a British waitress, who is always painting/ filing my nails and avoiding work 
• Props: Handbag, Nail file
• Clothing: Black skirt, high heels

Final Advertisements

Possible screen shots for final advert

Action and Aventure Trailer Review

Salt

Throughout the film ‘Salt’ the soundtrack varies to show the different moods and settings.  Suspicion is portrayed through music with strong slow beats.  Whereas when there is a fight about to begin, suspense arises through the music meeting a climax and as the action takes place the music gets louder, faster and stronger. There is a scene in an elevator where a Russian man uses his feet with knifes in the soles to kill two men. Just as this is about the happen the music reaches its end and the camera zooms into his feet in slow motion. This leaves the audience wondering  what is about to happen, all of a sudden a blade comes out of the shoe and the music pipes up again, and the fight is over in seconds. As the blade appears from the shoe editing is used. A sharp light fills the screen which immediately gains the audiences attention.

Another action scene in the film is when Angelina Jolie is inside a car with two security guards. She appears defenceless so you don’t think anything is going to happen. The speed of the car is shown through the angle only showing the wheel turning as the car turns a corner. The camera zooms into her face where her eyes turn to face the camera. All of a sudden it blacks out and she attacks both men next to her. Many camera angles are used from inside the car and outside.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ40WlshNwU

Before your very eyes, the glasses that act like a mobile

In Media Studies, at the beginning of the lesson we keep informed with short starter activities. Today we looked at the article 'Before your very eyes, the glasses that act like a mobile' (The Times 23.02.12).  This amazing technology appears as a pair of glasses with screens instead of lenses that are capable of showing text messages, emails and the internet. This all works with a small camera device which placed on the side of the glasses that allows you to see what is in front of you. The new high tech glasses will show real-world images overlayed with information you would typically view on a phone like emails.

Adverts for essay

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2T_Hno-hiM -2011

COCA COLA ADVERT ANALYSIS

During today's lesson we looked at two commercials for coca cola; the 'hilltop' and 'I wish' advertisements. They both showed similar messages but in very different ways.

The Coca Cola 'Hilltop' advertisement shows unity throughout people from all over the world. It portrays this message through love and hope which is show in the song sand by a multicultural collection of teenagers on the top of a hill. By using the lyric 'Perfect Harmony' and having everyone singing, it shows everyone coming together as one. The lyrics express that a coke gets rid of your problems, you can take a time out and enjoy the company of those around you for a little while. This advert suggests to the audience that drinking Coke brings people closer. Everyone in the advert is quite young, which shows the target audience for the product. Coca Cola's was originally shown as a liquid refresher. The message changed to 'Lets have a coke, to keep each other company for a little while.' This change occurred when the creative director Bill Backer was at an airport, and the plane had to stop in Ireland so everyone was irritated. The next morning the same people were laughing and sharing stories over a bottle of coke. This made him realise that coke was more to do with bringing people together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfU17niXOG8

The 'I Wish' advertisement delivers the message of sharing. An African American lady is walking down a street giving out Coke's to everyone that passes by. An important point in this advert is that although she is the one giving out cokes, she has not got one for herself. Nonetheless she does not appear to mind.  The advert is made in America, it is shown as a multi cultural place as there are many people from different ethnic backgrounds that she is sharing her Coke with. The advertisement is subtly saying that everyone should come together and get along. The lady singing is very joyful and the words in her song say how she wants the world to be one.

THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY

In today's lesson we looked at the website for the ASA which regulates the contents of advertising. We looked at several case studies to see what complaints to the ASA were based on and what the ASA's adjudication had been. 

The TV advert for 'Coors Light' was accused of breaching two codes: racism and appealing to the audiences under the age of 18. We viewed the advert and discussed the adjudication: the advert was cleared of breaching the first code but accused of breaching the second code.

Children and Advertising

After todays lesson, I looked at the ASA website under Children and advertising. The ASA works very hard at protecting children from seeing inappropriate advertisements that may effect them in anyway. This is mainly due to parents being strict about what they want their own children to see. For example; advertisements for a movie that may be viewed by children can not include any footage that may scare them. Also children are much more vulnerable and therefore if they see something on TV they are likely to believe it and follow it. No one below the age of 18 can be shown in ads where they appear provocative, using inappropriate  poses, are overly 'made-up' or in states of undress. 

CONTRASTING TV ADVERTS: Gibbs SR and Cadbury

In today's lesson we analyzed two moving adverts by Cadbury's and Gibbs SR. The Gibbs SR advert was created in 1950's and the Cadbury's advert in 1990's. The two advertisements use very different approaches. One advert convinces you that you will do better if you buy the product and the other makes you think you will be in better condition by using the product.


The Gibbs SR advertisement focuses on the facts. It is very focused on the product and using many scientific statistics. The whole advert is in black and white and has a man doing a voice over. Due to all the factual information that the advert uses, it convinces the audience that they have nothing to hide and will make them more likely to buy the product.There was something in the advert that I thought was quite strange, this was that they mentioned a chemical  they used in the product. Nowadays, advertisements would not do this as people know a lot more about damage from chemicals and how they can be very dangerous.


The Cadbury's advertisements focuses more on a story. By basing the product on a made up story it makes the product appear as more appealing to the audience.The whole story line is saying that if you eat Cadbury's chocolate you are likely to do better at what you do. This advertisement also uses music over the top instead of someone talking. It makes the advert more exciting and you are likely to remember the song, which will make you think of the chocolate and end up buying it.

Lucozade and Lara Croft

In my short piece of writing I am going to discuss why Lucozade decided to use Lara Croft to represent their product in their advertisements. Lucozade are built on heritage, over time Lucozade have rebranded their product from a tonic for the sick to a health drink for the sporty. They tried the technique of celebrity endorsement and represented their drink by using the athlete Daley Thompson in their adverts; however this did not make them stand out from other companies.  

Now, Lucozade use Lara Croft in their advertisements. The target consumers they are aiming at are teens and young adults. They have used her as she is a symbol and icon of energy which represents their product perfectly. She is well known as she is in the film Tomb Raider. For girls she is seen as a role model as she is in control. She shows women in power which is how girls want to be looked upon.For men Lara Croft is well known through the films she is in, but also for the video games that she is in. She is shown as sexually attractive and strong.   

Analysis of British Airways Advert 'To Fly, To Serve.'

In this essay I am going to analyse the British Airways advert, To Fly, To Serve (Television, 2011). In this advert we see how British Airways has changed over time, they have used shots from the earliest planes which are much smaller and basic, to the most modern. As the technology has changed and developed it says that their airline has stayed the same, kept the same morals and retained the same values. This emphasizes the loyalty and truth of British Airways and creates trust between the people and the airline.


British Airways have used a different approach to publishing their campaign. Instead of using the traditional way through a newspaper or on the television, they have published it through Facebook. By releasing it on a social network site, they are aiming it at the younger generation. They have already got a lot of loyal customers, so it is important to gain customers who are younger.


The most striking aspect of this advert is the focus of the representation of the staff, instead of the customers. As I watched the making of the advert, the creative team that made the campaign mention how the advertisement is all about stating who they are and what they stand for as a business, its dedication to the people that work at British Airways and the people that have worked for them. Unlike the Virgin Atlantic advert where they show their staff as glamourous 'trolley dolly's,' the staff are represented through tradition and not appearance. By showing the staff as they really are, they are ensuring people that what they see is what they will get.


One of the important features of the advert is the concord. The concord is an iconographic plane as it is the national symbol and by showing it flying it symbolises pride.


The motto 'To Fly, To Serve' is something they try to get across in the advert. They do this by showing it on the smallest details such as their badges. The whole advert is based on this slogan, and shows that that is what their airline is all about.  The motto shows dedication and continuity. 


As the advertisement progresses on, the generations change. It starts off with people who look very old fashioned, this is shown through their clothes. Then over time it becomes more modern until it is the way it is today. By doing this, British Airways are showing how long they have been around for, and that whilst everything around them has changed and the airline has improved, the people have always stayed the same. 

In conclusion the British Airways advertisement is all about values and morals. It is about the truth and not covering up the reality with glamour. This is a good way of presenting the advert as people know that they can trust the airline and therefore are likely to chose British Airways as the airline they fly with.

Airline Advertisments

In today's lesson we are analyzing changing representations in airline advertisements.

Virgin Atlantic
The Virgin Atlantic advert is very much about showing off the airlines glamour. They have used good looking air hostesses and pilots to show off their airline, this makes other people want to fly with Virgin as they think they will be flying with the people from the advert.  When the air hostesses are walking at the beginning it shows all eyes are on them. The avert makes Virgin Atlantic appear as the best airline you could fly with, as is seems luxurious, fun and that you are well looked after during the flight. When the men are going through the X'ray machines, they have used a humorous approach of showing safety. Finally the Virgin air hostesses are all completely dressed in red. Red is the colour of Virgin, but also the colour shows love and lust. All this will make people want to fly with this airline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbib-A6NpW8

British Airways
The British Airways advert is all about their history. It shows how their airline has changed and improved over time. By showing off the history, they emphasises the motto 'To Fly, To Serve.' It is portrayed as more than just a slogan, it is on their uniform so it appears that they stick to it and do as it says. They show dedication and bravery. Throughout the advert the technology improves, this shows how long the airline has been around for. As the technology has changed and developed it says that they have stayed the same, kept the same morals and retained the same values.It is not the type of advert where they show off the image and appearance,  instead it shows the truth and loyalty of the airline. This creates a relationship of trust between the airline and people, making them feel safe and therefore wanting to fly with the airline.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4JdQi60an0

How I Made My Blog.

In today's Media Studies lesson we all made a blog. I went onto blogger.com and selected 'Get Started.' I filled out the form with all my details and I used my Twitter email address. Next it came up with a page saying I had to verify my account by typing in a code. To receive this code I had to give my mobile number and almost immediately I had received a text saying my verification code. After I had entered this into the form, my blog became active. Finally I chose a template and customized my blog to make it my own.