Explain how ethnicity is represented in the clip.

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Mention:

• Mise en scene
• Editing
• Sound

At the start of the clip, a black male is shown walking by a poolside dressed smarty in a black, clean-cut suit. The lighting is blue and down lit which gives the impression of a calm, cool and trendy atmosphere. The fact that the pool is inside and lit up suggests wealth. At the start of this clip the camera angle is a long shot which pans along the side of the pool alongside the character walking. On his way, the character bumps into an old friend who obviously knew him before as being a slightly different character as he seems on-edge and uneasy. The other male character is represented in a stereotypical way, he is shown with tattoos, dreadlocks and chains. When he is talking to the other male, the camera moves and jitters, this could represent how the stereotyped black male is intimidating and a space invader. The two characters are an example of binary opposites.

The second scene shows the stereotypes of french women and Japanese males. Two french maids are shown entering one of the hotel rooms to find a Japanese man sitting on the side of the bed. The room is also clinically tidy which is a stereotype of Japanese people being very clean and tidy people. When the customer turns the music on, the maids begin to strip. This is a stereotype of french maids being very sexual people, one of the maids reacts very strongly to this stereotype whereas the other maid refuses to strip and runs away, this is another example of binary opposites. The music playing when they begin to strip is 'Lady Marmalade' which mentions the lyrics " .. down in old Moulin Rouge" which links to the strippers at the moulin rouge in Paris, ironic? The biggest stereotype in this scene is that Japanese men are perverts. The camera angles used in the clip also could reflect stereotypes, the Japanese man is filmed from a low height, this could be a stereotype of Japanese people being small or that they eat and sleep near to the floor. When the close-up of the money is shown on the table, it too is filmed from a low height, it is shown from the Japanese mans viewpoint.

Another scene in this clip involves a Caucasian male and female talking about other staff in the hotel. The fact that they are of high class and seem in charge links to a very archaic stereotype that Caucasian people are of higher status and are the superior race.

This scene links to another set in a kitchen, the two Caucasian characters enter and begin to talk to who appears to be the head chef. He is introduced as a mid shot, chopping at the work counter. He is Italian, another stereotype. Italians are stereotyped to be good cooks, linking to the fact that he is a chef. The two Caucasian characters also talked about how he was a recovering alcoholic, this could be a stereotype of Italian men being raucous and excessive drinkers. When the two Caucasian characters leave, the head chef attempts to argue with another, British, slightly overweight chef. The English chef is dressed in white uniform which may connote innocence and purity whereas the Italian chef is dressed in black and red which connotes anger and the devil. When alone with the chef, the Italian becomes very aggressive and he threatens the English chef with a poultry knife. This could stereotype him as being two-faced and dangerous. The English male could also be stereotyped, as he is overweight,this could stereotype the majority of the British public for being supposedly overweight and easily threatened.

In conclusion, Ethnicity is very apparent in this clip of 'Hotel Babylon', although there is no evidence of 'going against the stereotype' which shows that the stereotypes represented are extremely predictable and almost archaic.

Question: How does Calvin Klein represent females in this advert featuring Eva Mendes? Are they objectified or sexually empowered?

In the advert, Calvin Klein present Eva Mendes in a strong stance, this shows power and domination through the way her legs are stood apart, this also connotes masculine qualities.The way her hands are positioned on her hips not only relates to strength but also draws the eye to the CK underwear and also to a region which could possibly be seen through the male gaze.
The Calvin Klein label itself is associated with sexuality and status, the fact that the logo is positioned near to her legs but positioned behind her, in her shadow, shows power and domain. Another take on this would be to appeal to males, allowing a full shot of the woman, allowing full view of her body and not covering it up.
The camera angle is also appropriate to status, the fact that it is shot from below shows importance and superiority of the model and could also relate to the high status of the CK label.
The fact that she is 'oiled up' and her hair is damp shows that she may have just come out of the shower, possibly in the evening, and that she may now be getting dressed to go out, 'as attractive people do'.
She is wearing high heels to ellongate her legs, make her appear taller and appeal to a male audience. Making them think of their wife or girlfriend and buy the product in hope that they too with look like the advert. Suspenders add to the appeal and are often associated with sexiness although this image has a tasteful quality.
One aspect of the photo thats not so obvious at first glance is the fact that the model is not wearing a wedding ring which is giving the impression that she is 'available', this is subject again to the male gaze.
Eva Mendes poses with her head turned back slightly, this makes her seem mysterious and also keeps the attention from her face and directed on the product. Another reason for this may be that she is too superior to face to the front, relating to the feminist viewpoint of the male gaze.

The Male Gaze.

The male gaze is a theory founded by Laura Mulvey, who believed that the way in which films are produced, are in the eye of a male viewer. She believed that because of this, the films audiences have to view characters from the perspective of a heterosexual man.
She categorised this viewing theory under three ways:

1. How men view women


2. How women look at themselves, which links into:


3. How women view other women.

The male gaze has this idea of the camera 'lingering' on the curves of the female body, and the events which occur to women are presented largely in the context of a man's reaction to these events.
It relegates women to the status of objects almost. The female viewer must experience the narrative secondarily, by identification with the male.

In the 1980's, Marjorie Ferguson identified four types of facial expressions on the front cover of British women's magazine and categorised them as follows:

1. The chocolate box - Half/full smile, lips together/slightly parted, teeth barely visible, full/three-quarters of face to the camera. This gives the impression of innocence, creating a 'nice' image. For example, Cheryl Cole on the cover of October 2010's issue of Vogue.
   
2. Invitational - Emphasis on the eyes, mouth shut with a hint of a smile, head to one side or looking back to the camera. This gives the impression of a woman who is confident with herself, coming across as endearing and inviting to an audience. For example, Catherine Zeta Jones on the cover of May 2010's allure gives an invitational look
3. Super-smiler - Full face, wide open-toothed smile, head thrusts forward or chin thrown back, hair often wind blown. This gives the impression of a happy-go-lucky woman, This gives the impression of a happy-go-lucky woman, not intended to appear in any sexual or inviting way at all. This example of Kate Hudson on the cover of the June 2008 Vogue presents her in this way .


4. Romantic or sexual - Includes male/female 'two-somes', dreamy, heavy lidded, overtly sensual/sexual. To present an advert or magazine in this way connotes feelings of sensuality and desire, this may also create lust from the consumer of the way in which the two models appear. For example, Calvin Klein typically present their advertisements in this way, playing on the fact that it is to promote underwear - Mark Wahlburg and Kate Moss are seen modeling CK underwear in the advertisement below.

During the 90's, Trevor Millum took Fergusons theory into mind and created his own theory of which he thought to be more of a correct way of categorising these expressions.

1. Seductive - Similar to cool/level, eyes less wide, expression is less reserved but still self-confident, milder. This gives the impression of a strong woman, shown on October 2010's French issue of Vogue iconic insert with Kate Moss on the cover.
   
2. Carefree - Nymph-like, active, healthy, vibrant, outdoor girl, often smiling/grinning. This expression connotes feelings of happiness and energy, Lauren Conrad, in this example, gives a wide-toothed smile with wind-swept hair on the cover of May 2010's issue of Glamour Magazine.



3. Practical - Concentrating, engaged in business in hand, mouth closed, eyes object directed, sometimes a slight frown, hair often tied back or short style. This is shown in this picture of a woman, concentrating on her work, hand held to her head and hair brushed back
   
4. Comic - Deliberately ridiculous, exaggerated, acting the fool, pulling faces. This gives the impression of a humorous, care-free cover, in this case, Dazed and Confused's July 2008 issue features a model posing with a comic expression on their face, this adds a quirkiness and keeps in tone with the unique quality of the magazine.


5. Catalogue - A neutral look as of a dummy, artificial, wax-like, features may be in any position - but most likely to be with eyes open wide and a smile, looks remain vacant and empty with personality removed. This gives an un-real look to a magazine cover, although it could also come across as soft and neutral but in this example, Victoria Beckham shows off her 'wax-like' expression on May 2010's issue of Vogue Germany.
   

Film Habits Questionaire

Film Habits Questionnaire

Roland Barthes - Narrative Codes

Roland Barthes was a semiologist, meaning he studied texts for a living. He believed that when a story is being told it has either an Open Narrative or a Closed Narrative.

An open Narrative is when a story can be taken anywhere and can leave the audience wanting to watch more, a good example is a TV drama or soap which play on different stories to attract viewers, many stories can also happen at once.
A Closed Narrative is when there is only one string to pull on, there can be only one obvious outcome to a story, usually seem in children's TV programmes, usually teaching children a moral which are always summed up at the end of an episode. Children would not be interested in a series of episodes which continues for a long time, this is why it is the perfect narrative for this genre of media.

Codes in Media

Action code - For example, if someone draws a gun during a film, you, as an audience, know somethings going to happen, a murder perhaps. The rule is that if A happens, B must follow.

Enigma Code - An element in a story that's not explained therefore exists as an enigma. An enigma makes the audience want to find out what happens next, it is usually an unanswered question.

Semantic code - An element that often suggests an additional meaning by way of connotation.

Cultural code - ALWAYS REFER to any narrative that refers to a science or body of knowledge.

Symbolic - Levi-Strauss' idea of binary opposites for example, good and evil, the thing in between is what matters e.g. War is Peace, theres no one without the other. It is often known as the 'grey-area' of two binary opposites, for example, if a rich businessman was stood smoking a cigarette next to a poor starving child, we, as an audience, would wonder why this has happened.

Rushmore - Is Max a Stereotypical teenager?

After viewing the opening of this film, I can honestly say that I do not believe Max comes under the heading of a stereotypical teenager. From the short montage clip of extra-caricular clubs that Max is involved in, I'm sure that he endures in alot more activities than any regular adolecent boy would do - especially the genre of activities- founder of the bee keeping club?
This fast paced life that he leads almost seems physically impossible and I cant help thinking to myself how has this boy got so much free time on his hands? The speed of the montage may also reflect the fast speed of Max's lifestyle.

At the beginning of the montage, we see a mid shot of a red book covered in bees, this could have an added semantic code relating to the fact that Max is a 'busy bee' or relating to the fact that he is president of the bee keeping club perhaps. He opens to the first page of the book showing a well-taken picture of Max above the heading of 'Editor-in-Chief', setting the rank high and showing us as an audience his importance and status, maybe in a way this is Max trying to talk to the audience directly. As the montage unfolds this showcase of roles and ranks perhaps is his way of telling us that he is well-recognised at his school although from viewing the many many extra caricular ativities may have us think that he is not recognised socially and perhaps is a slight outcast.

From watching this short clip, I gather thoughts that maybe Max participates in so many activities because he gets bored and does not want to get trapped in a mundane cycle of living, maybe this also explains why Max is the founder of so many clubs; to feed his boredom.

The other members of each of the clubs seem to be much younger than Max, this conotes questions such as could it be because Max likes to feel superior? Possibly that he likes power and being a leader makes him feel powerful? Or could it possibly be because Max lacks the maturity that teenagers his own age have so he has to find consolement in his younger peers and in his extra caricular clubs?

In many of the shots in the montage, Max is filmed in the foreground with a stern facial expression whilst his peers are in the background participating in activities depending on which club. These shots seem to appear when Max is the founder of a group or club, this much resembles historical noble paintings when people with high status and achievement are painted in order of their greatness. This could link to being a semantic or symbolic code of media.

After analysing this clip, I have decided that Max is not a stereotypical teenager.

Representation.

My definition of Re-Presentation - By using different media, a copy of something which was origional can be made, making it seem as real to the orginal version as possible.

Re-Presentation- The way the media present 'something' as though it were real, it is not real merely a copy of something.

Signs- Something which communicates a piece of information.

Signifiers- Multiple 'ideas' or 'feelings' behind a sign. All signs belong to cultures.

Gate Keepers- The people in charge of what we get to see.

Ideology- A belief system.

Before watching a clip from the film Rushmore we were told to consider Mise en scene:
- Camera Angle
- Props
- Setting
- Lighting
- Acting

We then watched a short clip without sound from the film Rushmore and answered the following:

1. Where is the film set?
A private christian school for boys in America.

2. Describe the main characters personality?
He is very serious, a daydreamer, quirky, smug but also seems lonely.

3. What is he excellent at?
Mathematics equations.

4. How do others view him?
They view him as a hero or genius.

5. How was he dressed?
Very smartly, dressed in a blazer, smarter than those around him.