Genre as a Marketing Tool

This is the Resident Evil: Afterlife film poster. It has a relatively dark background, signifying the nature of the storyline, and it supports the horror genre of the three previous Resident Evil films (and games). The image of Milla Jovovich is in an action shot of her falling from a tall building, with a couple of firing guns - suggesting the action genre, but this image of her is a long shot, getting her whole body in, and some of the darkness above and below her. Within the mise-en-scene (this might not be entirely clear from this smaller image), there are wrecked vehicles and damaged, unused buildings, suggesting the danger and human peril in the plot.

The date and 3D is noted in red coloured writing, which represents blood, again linking to the horror concept, ranks these words behind the more important ones (the film title in shiney silver, brand/franchise identy), and the date is smaller as well as being red. The red contrasts less with the dark background, whereas the silvered title contrasts more and stands out.

The fact that the main charatcer is a woman, it subverts the Proppian theory. I think that the reason why she is represented here in dark clothing helps to signify the darkness and horror elements in the film.

Scopophilia and Voyeurism

Scopophilia is where we get pleasurable feeling from looking at others in physical forms. This can help to understand about life and, as a child, it develops understanding. Voyeurism is where you can see someone, without being seen yourself. An example of this would be to look through a key hole, or through an open window. 

Male Gaze

Laura Mulvey, a feminist who noticed that in films and other narratives, that there was identification, where there is the male lead, the hero, who the viewers relate to and follow his viewpoint throughout the narrative. The objectification, is where the male lead has a romantic interest, and from the hero's point of view, there is the desire for the female, linking her to being an object. Of course, this can be subverted in some contexts, but is still widely used in narratives.

Propp's Theory

Vladamir Propp was a Russian critic who noticed that folk tales and films had many similarities. They had the same basic narrative structure, and have similar characters - stock characters. Propp suggested that characters have a narrative function, to provide a structure for the text. These stock characters are:

• The hero, who is the main focus of the narrative, and who is seeking something out.
• The villain, who opposes the hero in his quest.
• The donor, who provides an assist to the hero where he can through magical means.
• The dispatcher, who sends the hero on his quest.
• The false hero, who disrupts the hero's success by untrue means.
• The helper, who aids the hero where he can, generally a side-kick.
• The princess, who is the reward for the hero, and is the subject of the plot from the villain.
• The princess' father, who rewards the hero for his efforts.

Often, nowadays, narratives tend to subvert the theory, by making a female hero, and by leaving out several stock characters, who wouldn't effect the narrative.

Semiotics

Roland Barthes argued that verbal language is not the only way to communicate. Other things can communicate message through meaning, implied and obvious. Three stages of signs: The Signifier - the actual thing, the physical form of the sign; The Signified - the concept that the signifier produces and implies; The Referent - the real, individual message.  

Over-The-Shoulder Shot

The Over-The-Shoulder Shot is a shot most commonly used during dialogue, when different characters are speaking, then the camera can switch over each person's shoulder. This helps to show relationship and different perspectives on the speakers.

Low Angle Shot

The Low Angle Shot does the reverse of the High Angle Shot - the subject is now superior to you, and they have more power. Generally assosiated with evil characters, but can be used effectively at moments of swings in power from the good side to the bad (and vice-versa).

High Angle Shot

This High Angle Shot shows the subjects to have an inferior power to ours, as we are looking down upon them. The higher the angle, the weaker they are implied to be.

Extreme Close Up Shot

This Extreme Close Up Shot is puting the emphasis upon a certain aspect of the characters facial expression, e.g eyes, mouth or even eye brows. This rather scary example of me, is a bit further out than a proper extreme close up, but the effect is similar.

Close Up Shot

The Close Up Shot of just the face gives an extreme effect of the character's facial expression, and is the key focus, so there is little else that attracts the attention in the background.

Medium Close Up Shot

The Medium Close Up Shot is similar to the Two Shot, but with main key focused character. The head and shoulders of the character will be visible, so arm gestures can be seen, and general facial expressions and emotions can be recognised.

Two Shot

The Two Shot helps to establish relationships between characters and also gives more detail upon facial expression. With two (or more people) in the shot, something is happening in the scene, with dialogue or some form of communication between them.

Medium Shot

The Medium Shot cuts the person off above the knee, and the shot type allows focus on facial expression, but more focus upon hand gestures, body language, and can help to establish relationships between characters.

Long Shot

The Long Shot is a closer shot of character and things closer to them, in their on-screen environment. Generally, the average sized human will be in the centre - with space above the head and below the feet, but as I'm shorter than average, there is slightly more room above my head.

The Very Long Shot

The Very Long Shot is an establishing shot that can illistrate the setting/scene and could signify the a crowded area that could then be zoomed in to pick out a key character, or it can be used to show the lonliness of a person, standing alone. This shot is more about scenery and less about detail and character.

Why I Chose Media Studies.

I have chosen media because I enjoyed the subject at GCSE level and also, it is such a large topic and key to our everyday lives. I have aspirations to become a journalist and knowledge obtained in this forthcoming course will be vital whilst working in the media.