Captain America - The Winter Soldier Presentation

Editing Techniques

Editing is designed to be subtle so that the viewer hardly notices the transitions between each frame. However, every cut or effect is there for a reason, but editing is meant to be almost hidden but at the same time it needs to help the audience translate the narrative message - this makes is one of the hardest areas of textual analysis to spot and discuss.

Editing Techniques

Cut.

Sudden change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another. On television cuts occur on average about every 7 or 8 seconds. Cutting may:

• change the scene;
• compress time;
• vary the point of view; or
• build up an image or idea

Less abrupt transitions are achieved with the fade, dissolve, and wipe (see below)

Matched cut.

In a 'matched cut' a familiar relationship between the shots may make the change seem smooth:

• continuity of direction;
• completed action;*
• a similar centre of attention in the frame;
• a one-step change of shot size (e.g. long to medium);
• a change of angle (conventionally at least 30 degrees)

*The cut is usually made on an action (for example, a person begins to turn towards a door in one shot; the next shot, taken from the doorway, catches him completing the turn). Because the viewer's eye is absorbed by the action he is unlikely to notice the movement of the cut itself.

Jump cut.

Abrupt switch from one scene to another which may be used deliberately to make a dramatic point. Sometimes boldly used to begin or end action. Alternatively, it may be result of poor pictorial continuity, perhaps from deleting a section.

Motivated cut.

Cut made just at the point where what has occurred makes the viewer immediately want to see something which is not currently visible (causing us, for instance, to accept compression of time). A typical feature is the shot/reverse shot technique (cuts coinciding with changes of speaker). Editing and camera work appear to be determined by the action. It is intimately associated with the 'privileged point of view' (see narrative style: objectivity).

Cutting rate.

Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise or emphasize.

Cutting rhythm.

A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension. Cutting rhythm may create an exciting, lyrical or staccato effect in the viewer.

Cross-cut.

A cut from one line of action to another. Also applied as an adjectuve to sequences which use such cuts.

Cutaway/cutaway shot (CA).

A bridging, intercut shot between two shots of the same subject. It represents a secondary activity occurring at the same time as the main action. It may be preceded by a definite look or glance out of frame by a participant, or it may show something of which those in the preceding shot are unaware. (See narrative style: parallel development) It may be used to avoid the technical ugliness of a 'jump cut' where there would be uncomfortable jumps in time, place or viewpoint. It is often used to shortcut the passing of time.

Reaction shot.

Any shot, usually a cutaway, in which a participant reacts to action which has just occurred.

Insert/insert shot.

A bridging close-up shot inserted into the larger context, offering an essential detail of the scene (or a reshooting of the action with a different shot size or angle.)

Buffer shot (neutral shot).

A bridging shot (normally taken with a separate camera) to separate two shots which would have reversed the continuity of direction.

Fade, dissolve (mix).

Both fades and dissolves are gradual transitions between shots. In a fade the picture gradually appears from (fades in) or disappears to (fades out) a blank screen. A slow fade-in is a quiet introduction to a scene; a slow fade-out is a peaceful ending. Time lapses are often suggested by a slow fade-out and fade-in. A dissolve (or mix) involves fading out one picture while fading up another on top of it. The impression is of an image merging into and then becoming another. A slow mix usually suggests differences in time and place. Defocus or ripple dissolves are sometimes used to indicate flashbacks in time.

Superimpositions.

Two of more images placed directly over each other (e.g. and eye and a camera lens to create a visual metaphor).

Wipe.

An optical effect marking a transition between two shots. It appears to supplant an image by wiping it off the screen (as a line or in some complex pattern, such as by appearing to turn a page). The wipe is a technique which draws attention to itself and acts as a clear marker of change.

Inset.

An inset is a special visual effect whereby a reduced shot is superimposed on the main shot. Often used to reveal a close-up detail of the main shot.

Split screen.

The division of the screen into parts which can show the viewer several images at the same time (sometimes the same action from slightly different perspectives, sometimes similar actions at different times). This can convey the excitement and frenzy of certain activities, but it can also overload the viewer.

Stock shot.

Footage already available and used for another purpose than the one for which it was originally filmed.

Downton Abbey - Class And Status

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscFlwFNB6I

Textual Analysis

Camera Angles/Movement: At the start of the clip they use a tracking shot if the guy on the bicycle, this is used at the start or draw the audience in as they follow the action. The producer uses an extreme long shot this provides the audience with an idea of where it is set which is an old Victorian house, also this shot gives the audience a feel of when the place is set. They use a tracking shot at the start of the clip which shows that they have the lower class might be in a rush because he might be late. Later on in the clip they use a high angle shot this shows that the separation of the classes as she doesn't have to get up early and do anything because serves them. In the breakfast scene the kept changing angles so that the audience felt like they where involved and it draws them into the action of their morning routine.

Sound: At the start clip the lower class man who is on the bicycle there is a fast-pace non-diegetic music which is used as he cycles through to the mansion. This shows that he is in a hurry and his morning routine is generally rushed because of the amount of work he has to do. Whereas when it switches to upper class women in her bedroom, the non-diegetic music changes from fast-past music with a tracking shot to a smooth panorama of her room and a gentle calming non-diegetic music plays. This shows that because she is upper class she doesn't have to wake up early or rush around because she is getting served by the working class. You can hear the diegetic sounds of the bell as an upper class person calls a butler. This emphasises the power that the upper class have against the working class.

Editing: When they showed the working class boy cycle up to the mansion, there is a quick cut to the upper class women in her bedroom. Also the non-diegetic sounds cut and a gentle calming music. This again shows the different contrasts in the working class and upper class lives. When the upper class wanted something they rang the bell and instantly it cut to a downstairs scene where they have all the bells to show they need to attend them. As the clip goes on we see that they are rushing around to have their breakfast, and what they have done to make it seem more rushed by using jumped cuts this gives the effect that the breakfast punch is happening at such a pace that the audience feels like it is being involved. 

Mise en Scene: The boy at the start of the clip is wearing dark work clothes, this is quite a neutral colour which suggests that he is an average working class boy. Also the lighting outside is bright which shows that it is early morning, but as he is cycling he is under the shadow of the tree, and he is wearing black work clothes which shows that he is working class because he has to work for the upper class. Whereas the upper class women is sitting in her bed with the natural light bleeding a little through the window. This again shows that she is upper class she is wearing more graceful nightwear. The posture of the young boy is also different to the upper class women because he is on his bike and he is slouching a bit which shows that he is a working class boy because of the way he holds himself. Whereas the women even though she has just woken up she has a much straighter back this is because she is upper class and she has been brought up to hold and compose her herself better than a working class person. We also see how quickly one of the servants attends to the person as the bell is rung. This shows the power which they have because they are upper class and the attendants are working class.

Research Task - The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Street Disability - Representation of Disability in TV Drama

Task:

Produce a written exploration of disability in TV drama and post this to your blog.

Your written piece should include, but is not limited to, discussion of:

• Disability stereotypes and their countertypes
• How disability is presented in TV drama through the 4 areas of textual analysis
• How disability links to the other 6 areas of representation (positively and negatively)
• Examples from TV dramas to support your points (including pictures

Camera Shots/Movement

At the start of the scene there are two shots whilst one character is talking to the other one about his job. This shows that the audience is familiar with these characters. throughout the middle of the clip you can tell that the characters annoyed because of what he looks like and how others see him now. They use a mid shot of him walking through the crowd. As he is walking up the street it shows a high angle shot on the women because she didn't expect him to be there and also because of the way he looks. Near to the end of the clip he is in an office with a chief talking about the way he looks, through over the shoulder shots, and complaining about how everyone see him differently. this also draws the audience in because they feel as if they are part of the action.

Sounds

Firstly, there are diegetic sounds of people talking in the background. Then as he gets angry because he was denied his job, as he is walking through the crowd non-diegetic sounds of fast past tense music play, this highlights his anger. Then it stops suddenly as he turns into a street, as he tries to help the lady there is a diegetic sound  as she screams because she didn't expect anyone to b there and also as she looks up got scared because of the markings on his face. 

Editing

There is only one major cut, this is when he is walking through the crowd with the fast past music. They edited the scene so everyone is blurred out and they look grey. This is because they want the audience to concentrate on him and his anger because of what he looks like. This then is cut straight and quickly into the next scene because there is no one there to look at him, whereas in the crowd loads of people couldn't help but look. 

Mise en Scene

As he walks down the street you see his realisation , to what has actually happen to him and that his life isn't going to be the same again. People can't help but look, and he doesn't think that its a disability but others look at him because it isn't 'normal' to see a human like that. You can tell by what he is wearing that he isn't rich nor poor, but you can tell that he is in need of a job as he job rejected his old job. The colour of the middle scene where he is walking the the crowd is more of a dull grey colour this highlights that because the camera is focused on him that he is thinking and it isn't the best time for him. The last scene is a very dark, mysterious scene where the lighting is poor and the sit at a desk discussing their face. Also in this scene you can tell by his facial expressions and his body language that he is being very negative towards himself and how they should advertise positive things about the war. Finally His facial expressions are always miserable and angry because of his situation, and towards everybody because of how different his life is going to be. 

The Inbetweeners - Disability in media

Why is the clip funny?

The clip is funny because the Frisbee which they are playing with hits a disabled women on the head, but she wasn't expecting it so when it hits her she react and it creates an awkward situation for him and his friends. 

How is the disabled women being represented?

Because she is disabled she cannot control her reaction, so when she gets hit she becomes a victim and is helpless because she is in a wheelchair and cannot do anything about it. 

Are we meant to laugh at the disabled person?

No, we are supposed to support the disabled person feel sorry for them, and laugh at Will because they are stupid and can't throw. But you become shocked because it is an awkward situation as it hits her because she doesn't expect it. And on top of that the other women who is with her doesn't speak English so they might be deeply offended by the action. Even though he apologies he then takes the Frisbee back it looks like he is robbing her, and this makes the situation because it then makes the group of men who are playing football chase them. You're also supposed to laugh at the situation itself as the disabled person. 

Are they the 'butt' of the joke?

Initially yes, you are laughing at the disabled person because if it wasn't a disabled person it wouldn't be funny. However, as the situation unfolds you become more embarrassed for Will and begin to laugh at his misfortune and not that of the disabled woman.

How do you think disabled people respond to this? 

They might be offended because of how they are being portrayed because it is a very sensitive matter. But on the other hand they might enjoy it because the boys are getting chased because of that they did and their action afterwards.

Are we as a society cultivated to think we should pity the disabled? 

Yes, however media do not follow these rules of society. If this event was seen in public, the majority of people would help or seek to comfort any disabled person that is hurt. Also when the people playing football see the disable person in distress, they rush over to try and protect her. This shows chart people in society don't usually look 'down' upon disabled people as lessors, more as people who need extra care.

The Avenger Assemble Research Task

• the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions; (how do film companies try and attract their audience? Do they do different things in different countries?) How was the film marketed in the USA, Europe and the rest of the world (particular focus here on China).

Marvel Studios, is a very well known company. So when they announce their new movie then the majority of people know that it is going to be good because they are a very established brand. Because of this other countries prefer different things from the rest of the world. This depends on where you live and the your market. For example the Chinese like more violent films, this means that filmmakers will have to include more violence into the trailers for this market than others so that they aren't put off by the 'lack' of violence. Also companies do this with their posters as well. So the chinese one will have more violence to advertise than the Uk poster. 

Marvel also partnered with a fragrance company JADS to promote 'The Avengers' with character-based fragrances.

These are examples of what companies do to try and attract their audiences. The Companies try to advertise their products as much as possible. Also because this is a 4 quadrant movie they advertise on products that children will like and it will make them want to see it. This is because they think it is cool, and most consumers will buy general products like these: canned drinks, ready made pizzas, special offers in childrens magazines and maybe newspaper. It will attract everyone, because people over the age of 12 will have heard of Robert Downey Jr, and majority of people under the age of 12 will know who the main characters are because they might have toys, games, cartoons, or even the advertising boxes. This then makes them feel like they should go watch it because they want to see their favorite characters winning. 

Also the die hard fans will want to see because they love everything marvel. And they previous films have built up to this movie. THey will have seen most of the Marvel Studios movies for example; Iron man, Thor, Captain America and Hulk. And they all have relevance to the movie because they all tie in together and makes sense.