Monday 20 January 2014

How stereotypical are the representations seen within GTA4?

 

GTA 4 is a free roam, action-adventure game based in a fictitious state called Liberty City. The game was created by Rockstar in 2008, and has been released over various gaming platforms, such as the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.
Representation is the way in which an audience is offered a different version of reality seen within many media texts. It is important to remember that media texts are constructed, and they they go through a process of mediation. Producers of media texts often encode them with messages and their own ideas, often making them biased and an untrue representation of reality. There are many different representations of gender, class, and race seen within GTA 4.
Male characters within GTA 4 are often represented as violent. This can be seen through the narrative of the game, where the main protagonist can kill, abuse and injure any character that they come across. As well as this, the character also has the choice of carrying weapons, or just resorting to physical violence. Male characters within the game predominantly act violent to carry out crimes. These crimes range from petty theft, to murder. These are just a few of the many moral dilemmas that players face.
As well as this, male characters are often viewed as dominant in a sexual nature. Throughout the game players can interact with prostitutes, after which they can also kill them and take back the money that they pay. Another example of this is where players have the option of having and maintaining multiple relationships with various female characters throughout the game. Perhaps this could be seen as a stereotypical view of males, as within the media they are often portrayed as being the more dominant character within relationships, and monogomy could be viewed as a thing of the past. However, we could also take this game as a satirical, where perhaps the creators are in fact making a mock of particular gender stereotypes.
Females within GTA 4 are often objectified. For example, the loading screen of the game features many images of women. These women are sexualised, as they wear very revealing clothing, and are often pictured in provocative ways. This can be seen as very degrading for females. As well as being seen in a sexual manner, female characters within the game are often represented as weak. For example, none of the lead characters are female, and none of the female characters really have their own storyline, as most of the female characters we are introduced to are a male characters girlfriend. No female characters in the game stand up to the male characters. This can be seen through the female characters that are prostitutes. Again, this is degrading, and they do not try to defend themselves against the male characters who are free to kill them. This is generally a very stereotypical view of females, as they are often portrayed as weak within the media. However, it is becoming increasingly more popular to have female heroes within many action films.
In GTA 4 we encounter many different representations of race. Through the character of Little Jacob we see the stereotypical view of Jamaicans. For example, when Little Jacob is in a car, there is always a lot of smoke coming from the car windows, suggesting heavy smoking, perhaps of drugs. According to the offical GTA website, he is seen as the 'archetypal Rastafarian'. This is seen through his use of speech, as he speaks in lyaric, often discussing Rasta ideals. Another stereotypical part of his personality is his music taste, as he listens to many radio stations within the game that play Reggae music.
He is often represented as loyal throughout the game, as he never leaves Nikos side. As well as this, he often provides advice to various characters, such as warning them to stop taking drugs etc. This is a very unstereotypical view.
Through the character of Patrick McReary we see a representation of Irish people. This character is seen to have a problem with alcohol, thus conforming to the stereotypical view of the Irish. However, Phil Bell is not entirely Italian, as he is 90% Irish. He acts as if he is full Italian to fit in with the Mafioso by using lots of Italian phrases, as well as by calling the Irish gangs 'Irish idiots'. This suggests that perhaps he is ashamed of his heritage, truly wishing that he was Italian.
Through the character of Ray Boccino we see a representation of Italians. Ray Boccino is seen as a Capo, who dishes out orders to others to commit various crimes on his behalf. This is a stereotypical view of an Italian mobster.
Through the character of Manny Escuela we see a representation of Puerto Ricans. At first he is represented in a stereotypical light, as he is a gangster who is heavily addicted to heroin. However, he later tries to clean up his act, as well as try to clean up the streets, showing an unstereotypical view. It is important to note that this may because he is trying to get famous.
As well as these representations, we are also represented with a stereotypical view of Americans in general. This emphasis's the satirical nature of the game, as there are many points throughout the game where social commentary is made.
Class is represented throughout the game through the idea of the rags to riches storyline, where characters such as Niko come to the US in order to try and make a better life for themselves. Essentially, all game play revolves around this main theme.

Monday 25 November 2013

MS1 Exam Questions


 

 Analyse the front covers;


GQ

  • Masthead - GQ, stands out to readers
    Central image - Clint Eastwood, appeals to an older audience?
    Discourse and cover lines - Suggests contents of magazine, as well as who its aimed at
    Mode of address - Friendly? informal? Direct
    House style - Readers know what to expect - colour, font style, layout and design all conform to a regular pattern.
    2 main colours used - orange and white, stands out
    Tagline - highly respected magazine? Boosts image of magazine and reader
    Price - selling point 
    Men of the year issue - More reason for people to buy magazine, more people might be interested 
    Celebrity names - again makes the reader more inclined to buy and read
    Obsession of the year - story, hints at sex and love life 


    Saga 

    • Tagline - Claim of quality to audience, promise of pleasure

      Masthead - plain, simple, clean 

      Central image - star image, may persuade people to buy the magazine - Again, hints at the target audience being an older audience

      Discourse and coverlines -  Again, hints at an older audience for the magazine 

      Real life story of Michael Caine - makes them feel involved, more likely to buy magazine

      Mode of address - Friendly, direct

      House style - 2 colours, red and white 



      Suggest two different audiences for GQ Magazine 

      • Men - 21-35 - Highly respected magazine, may want to find out more about the man of the year etc

        Men - 50+ - because of the cover star, and some of the discourse of the magazine.


        How has the over 50 market been targeted for Saga Magazine?

        • Cover star used - Michael Caine, older man 

          Discourse - stories of childhood

          Simplistic colour scheme 

          Discourse - Ageism and the BBC

          Discourse - Cooking recipes etc


          Discuss how media texts attract different audiences:

          • Skins - teenage based, involves house parties, alcohol and drunk taking - Many young people will be able to identify with the characters within this program. Has multiple series, so is majorly successful. Can be applied to different media theories as to why audiences use this text.
          • The Green Hornet - For fans of action films - car chases, bombs etc. However, people who are fans of Seth Rogen will also watch this film. 
          • Cosmo Magazine - For females aged 18-30 - Discourse of the magazine suggests this, articles about sex and love life. Also has articles on fashion, as well as including famous cover stars that many girls aspire to be like. 


           Different representations of age in the media
          Young;


          • August 2011 riots 
          • Olympics 
          • Tv shows, such as X Factor 
          •  Attack the block
          • Misfis/skins
          • 16 and pregnant
        • Old 
        • James bond 
        • Everybody loves Raymond - Marrie 



MS1 2009 

(bullet points)
Analyse the front cover:





  • Prequel - Fans of the first film, Adulthood, will want to come and watch this film. 
  • Title - Kidulthood, suggests that the film is going to be about coming of age etc
  • Promise of pleasure - 'As potent..' - Suggests the film is hard hitting 
  • Violence - baseball bat
  • Special edition - More inclined to buy the dvd for the special features and never before seen footage
  • Hints at the narrative - perhaps the two characters stood close together are a couple? 
  • Girl in the center is wearing pink, this makes her stand out from the rest of the characters. Perhaps suggests that she has a bigger role to play in the film.
  • Tag line - Before adulthood comes kidulthood - again showing that its a prequel. 
  • Expression - Troubled/angry?
  • Colours - Dark colours are used, with a sharp contrast for the colour of the sky. Could perhaps suggest that the film has many dark, underlying themes.
  • Audience positioning - Feel excluded, intimidating image to look at
  • Font style -bold, stands out to the audience. The colour white used could suggest that kidulthood could be seen as an innocent time for children etc
  • City background - urban area
  • Social realism

 


  • Brand identity - Sims 2, its a sequel, meaning the fans of the previous games will want to buy and play this game. As well as this, children who are interested in university life may play this to try and get an understanding. Recognizable logo, and font style seems to be playful, so perhaps attracting a younger audience.
  • Well rounded student image - Books and mortar board shows studious side, where as the guitar shows his musical side. As well as this, there is also a girl next to him, suggesting the social side of university life, as she is on her phone, chatting. - Anchorage of stereotypical university students
  • Background images also show other aspects of university life - the couple in the background etc.Perhaps showing a party atmosphere.
  • Colours used are bright, could appeal more to a younger audience. 
  • RPG
  • Expansion pack - extra contents for the game, more of an incentive to buy.
  • Clothing - Typical teenagers
  • Direct mode of address/ informal? 
  • Iconography - the logo, books, mortar board

Suggest two different audiences for The Sims 2 University 

  • Fans of RPG games, as the sims is a well known RPG where you have to take control of a characters life. (Fans of The Sims)
  • Female audience, 12 - 18, aspiring uni students hoping to get a glimpse into the life of a uni student


Explore how the main audience for Kidulthood has been targeted


Main audience (15-25 Males)

  • Violence - Baseball bat - fans of violence films and social realism films
  • Promise of pleasure - convinces people to watch the film, suggests that its going to be hard hitting 
  • Presentation of characters - suggests narrative which intrigues audience. 
  • Special edition dvd cover - more material that has never been seen before  
  • Colours - Dark colours used, suggests violence of the film
  • Clothing - The target audience could perhaps identify with some of the characters
  • Prequel - tag line shows us that it is a prequel, so if they were fans of adulthood they will want to see this film 
  • Age certificates 


Discuss how media texts attract different audiences:

  • Skins - teenage based, involves house parties, alcohol and drunk taking - Many young people will be able to identify with the characters within this program. Has multiple series, so is majorly successful. Can be applied to different media theories as to why audiences use this text.
  • The Green Hornet - For fans of action films - car chases, bombs etc. However, people who are fans of Seth Rogen will also watch this film. 
  • Cosmo Magazine - For females aged 18-30 - Discourse of the magazine suggests this, articles about sex and love life. Also has articles on fashion, as well as including famous cover stars that many girls aspire to be like. 

Different representations of young people in the media

  • August 2011 riots 
  • Olympics 
  • Tv shows, such as X Factor 
  •  Attack the block
  • Misfis/skins
  • 16 and pregnant



Sunday 17 November 2013

Editing Codes and Conventions Seen Within Rom Coms


Cross-cutting - Can be used to show an emotional chase. Can be used to see each characters face during a conversation, crossing back and forward depending on who is doing the talking. Can also be used to see how each character reacts to what another has said. Also used to show to different stories happening simultaneously.

Straight cuts - Used for continuity within the story 

Cut - One shot is instantly replaced with another. Cuts will be slow paced at the start. However, as the characters start to fall for each other the pace will quicken. 

Eyeline match - The matching of eyelines between two or more characters. Meaning that continuity is kept intact.

Shot reverse shot cutting - Over the shoulder shots to show conversations etc.


Shots and Angles Commonly Used Within Rom Coms


Angles

Eye level -  This matches a characters height, making it a neutral shot. No one person is seen more powerful.
















Low angle - Makes the person seem more powerful. Can also be used to make a place seem big and intimidating.

 





High angle - Makes the person seem weak. 

 
 


Shots 


Point of View - Shows the view from a subjects perspective.
 




Establishing - Shows us were the action of a film will be taking place.
 




Close Up 
 






Medium Close Up





Extreme Close Up
 




Mid Shot 
 



Over The Shoulder 
 



Cut In - Shows another part of the subject in detail. 

 



Cut Away - A shot of something other than just the subject. 

 



Weather Shot 

 




Two Shot