To what extent does Apocalypto follow the generic conventions of its predecessors in the Action genre?
Apocalypto, directed by Mel Gibson and is renowned for being one of the best action movies. Its this movie that will be the centre of my debate and I will be debating whether Mel Gibson has chosen to follow the generic conventions of its predecessors in the Action genre. Apocalypto's consistent use of fast cuts, high tempoed music and use of characters has somewhat made me think Mel Gibson has chosen a typical action narrative. On the other hand, he has also made many rejections and it is these rejections that will sway my decision helping me to make one final judgement.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Essay Plan
To what extent does Apocalypto follow the generic conventions of its predecessors in the Action genre?
That is the title of my essay therefore, my essay requires the utmost detail to ensure that I am making the right conclusion on this hypothesis. The essay will include, MIGRAIN analysis, concept flow paragraphs, SHEP analysis, theorists etc. I have done alot of research so that I can get the best possible information to help me make the right conclusion.
Introduction:
In the introduction I will state my title and introduce the actual film and give the background information to the film, this means I will include the director, producer, actors, plot, what year it was made etc. So that it will be easier to make comparisons. I will also give a brief paragraph on historical texts but that will be properly in the next paragraph.
Para 1:
In this paragraph I will be speaking about historical texts which are similar to Apocalypto. This means I will be speaking about Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, The 13th warrior, The Scorpion and Braveheart. This paragraph will include SHEP analysis and will also be a concept flow paragraph. This paragraph will state the generic conventions used by Apocalypto from its predecessors which will help me come to a conclusion in the latter stages of the essay
Para 2:
In this paragraph I will be speaking about theorists that link to Apocalypto to help identify the changes in Action movies and what conventions Mel Gibson has implemented into Apocalypto. I will be including the Propp Theory to help identify the roles in the movie to see whether Mel Gibson has followed the same conventions as its predeccesors, other theorists will also be included.
Para 3:
Carrying on from paragraph 2 this paragraph will solely be based on representation in Apocalypto. I will be writing about how Mel Gibson has set up certain characters so that they are recognized for certain roles, this will once again allow me to easily spot and list the convention used by the director from its predeccesors. This paragraph will be done using MIGRAIN and will be a concept flow paragraph.
Para 4:
This paragraph will be about what generic conventions Mel Gibson has chosen to reject for example, the use of soundbridge over the trailer etc. This will help me make a final decision and the paragraph will once again be done using concept to help identify the rejections.
Conclusion:
This paragraph is the conclusion so therefore, I will be making a final decision as to whether Mel Gibson has chosen to use generic conventions from its predeccesors. In this paragraph I will be looking back over the essay, pulling out key points to help justify my decision.
That is the title of my essay therefore, my essay requires the utmost detail to ensure that I am making the right conclusion on this hypothesis. The essay will include, MIGRAIN analysis, concept flow paragraphs, SHEP analysis, theorists etc. I have done alot of research so that I can get the best possible information to help me make the right conclusion.
Introduction:
In the introduction I will state my title and introduce the actual film and give the background information to the film, this means I will include the director, producer, actors, plot, what year it was made etc. So that it will be easier to make comparisons. I will also give a brief paragraph on historical texts but that will be properly in the next paragraph.
Para 1:
In this paragraph I will be speaking about historical texts which are similar to Apocalypto. This means I will be speaking about Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, The 13th warrior, The Scorpion and Braveheart. This paragraph will include SHEP analysis and will also be a concept flow paragraph. This paragraph will state the generic conventions used by Apocalypto from its predecessors which will help me come to a conclusion in the latter stages of the essay
Para 2:
In this paragraph I will be speaking about theorists that link to Apocalypto to help identify the changes in Action movies and what conventions Mel Gibson has implemented into Apocalypto. I will be including the Propp Theory to help identify the roles in the movie to see whether Mel Gibson has followed the same conventions as its predeccesors, other theorists will also be included.
Para 3:
Carrying on from paragraph 2 this paragraph will solely be based on representation in Apocalypto. I will be writing about how Mel Gibson has set up certain characters so that they are recognized for certain roles, this will once again allow me to easily spot and list the convention used by the director from its predeccesors. This paragraph will be done using MIGRAIN and will be a concept flow paragraph.
Para 4:
This paragraph will be about what generic conventions Mel Gibson has chosen to reject for example, the use of soundbridge over the trailer etc. This will help me make a final decision and the paragraph will once again be done using concept to help identify the rejections.
Conclusion:
This paragraph is the conclusion so therefore, I will be making a final decision as to whether Mel Gibson has chosen to use generic conventions from its predeccesors. In this paragraph I will be looking back over the essay, pulling out key points to help justify my decision.
Historical Text
The historical text that I have chosen to look back on and to compare Apocalypto to is, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. This movie/film is based on a guy who has had everything of his stripped from and he has to survive. That plot is very similar to Apocalypto as in Apocalypto Jaguar Paw has to survive attacks from the evil Mayan Village in order to save his family so we can instantly the generic conventions taken from previous action movies that have been used in Apocalypto.
The extract that I have taken from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a battle scene between Mad Max and his evil opponent. In this scene there are many stereotypical generic conventions used that you would expect in an Action movie. For example, the sound is a typical action sounding track where the tempo of the music increases and decreases according to whats happening on the scene. This generic convention is also implemented in Apocalypto where Jaguar Paw is running through the jungle surviving attacks from his opponents. Not only that the other similarity in these two movies are the fast cuts. This use of cinematography is also a generic convention as in most action films fast cuts are to increase the tension and entertainment factor of the movie. One specific part of the scene where there is a consistent use of fast cuts is where Mel Gibson who is playing Mad Max is swinging on the rope while his opponent batters him then throws him towards a weapon, It is here where there is a frequent use of fast cuts between Mel Gibson and the weapon to help increase the excitment. This is very similar to Apocalypto as when Jaguar Paw is running through the jungle there many fast cuts of him, his opponents and his obsticales. The overall use of the fast cut is to keep the target audience on the edge of their seat.
Alongside the similarities in the two movies, it is also seen that Mel Gibson the director of Apocalypto is the starring role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome therefore, we can make the judgement that he has used his experience in that movie to help create Apocalypto. As seen above there are definitely many similarities between the movies therefore, it is seen that he has used generic conventions used in that movie and implemented them in Apocalypto to help create the great action movie it is.
There is also differences between the two movies. One difference that I spotted between the two fighting scenes were that in Apocalypto some of the fighting scenes had the action music playing over it whereas, in Mad Max Beyong Thunderdome the actual fighting scene had no music playing over it to increase the entertainment although it did have some at the start of it. Therefore, it is seen that Mel Gibson chose to reject that generic convention and implemented his own idea of a fighting scene.
Moving on the next extract I took from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was the trailer of film. With the trailer we will be able to see the generic conventions used in that trailer and the ones used in Apocalypto to help find the similarities and the differences.
After viewing the Mad Max trailer it seen that there are many similarities between the Apocalypto trailer and the Max Max trailer. In both the trailers the music playing over the trailer is a typical action sounding track where the tempo and pitch increases and decreases throughout to help increase the tension. Not only that but the frequent use of fast cuts is also visible throughout this is also used to help create tension and the entertainment factor. Another similarity seen in the two trailers is the setting of the movies. In Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome it is seen there are shots of Mad Max standing in the desert and other deserted area to help extend the idea that he has to survive in that habitat alone. This is also similar to Apocalypto Jaguar Paw is seen in a jungle which is also normally a deserted area and that also helps the audience understand that he is alone and has to survive in that hard area where there is a lack of food etc. Therefore, we can make the judgement that Mel Gibson chose to actually use a similar surrounding in Apocalypto to the one Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome to help create that entertainment factor.
The one generic convention that Mel Gibson chose to reject when creating the trailer was the dominant sounding voice of god throughout the trailer. In Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome you can hear the dominant voice of god telling us the story of the movie and the problems to help the audience and also create that tension. Whereas, in Apocalypto there is no use of voice of god therefore, it is seen Mel Gibson chose to reject that generic convention.
The extract that I have taken from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome is a battle scene between Mad Max and his evil opponent. In this scene there are many stereotypical generic conventions used that you would expect in an Action movie. For example, the sound is a typical action sounding track where the tempo of the music increases and decreases according to whats happening on the scene. This generic convention is also implemented in Apocalypto where Jaguar Paw is running through the jungle surviving attacks from his opponents. Not only that the other similarity in these two movies are the fast cuts. This use of cinematography is also a generic convention as in most action films fast cuts are to increase the tension and entertainment factor of the movie. One specific part of the scene where there is a consistent use of fast cuts is where Mel Gibson who is playing Mad Max is swinging on the rope while his opponent batters him then throws him towards a weapon, It is here where there is a frequent use of fast cuts between Mel Gibson and the weapon to help increase the excitment. This is very similar to Apocalypto as when Jaguar Paw is running through the jungle there many fast cuts of him, his opponents and his obsticales. The overall use of the fast cut is to keep the target audience on the edge of their seat.
Alongside the similarities in the two movies, it is also seen that Mel Gibson the director of Apocalypto is the starring role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome therefore, we can make the judgement that he has used his experience in that movie to help create Apocalypto. As seen above there are definitely many similarities between the movies therefore, it is seen that he has used generic conventions used in that movie and implemented them in Apocalypto to help create the great action movie it is.
There is also differences between the two movies. One difference that I spotted between the two fighting scenes were that in Apocalypto some of the fighting scenes had the action music playing over it whereas, in Mad Max Beyong Thunderdome the actual fighting scene had no music playing over it to increase the entertainment although it did have some at the start of it. Therefore, it is seen that Mel Gibson chose to reject that generic convention and implemented his own idea of a fighting scene.
Moving on the next extract I took from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was the trailer of film. With the trailer we will be able to see the generic conventions used in that trailer and the ones used in Apocalypto to help find the similarities and the differences.
After viewing the Mad Max trailer it seen that there are many similarities between the Apocalypto trailer and the Max Max trailer. In both the trailers the music playing over the trailer is a typical action sounding track where the tempo and pitch increases and decreases throughout to help increase the tension. Not only that but the frequent use of fast cuts is also visible throughout this is also used to help create tension and the entertainment factor. Another similarity seen in the two trailers is the setting of the movies. In Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome it is seen there are shots of Mad Max standing in the desert and other deserted area to help extend the idea that he has to survive in that habitat alone. This is also similar to Apocalypto Jaguar Paw is seen in a jungle which is also normally a deserted area and that also helps the audience understand that he is alone and has to survive in that hard area where there is a lack of food etc. Therefore, we can make the judgement that Mel Gibson chose to actually use a similar surrounding in Apocalypto to the one Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome to help create that entertainment factor.
The one generic convention that Mel Gibson chose to reject when creating the trailer was the dominant sounding voice of god throughout the trailer. In Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome you can hear the dominant voice of god telling us the story of the movie and the problems to help the audience and also create that tension. Whereas, in Apocalypto there is no use of voice of god therefore, it is seen Mel Gibson chose to reject that generic convention.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Fresh Up
In this advert men are once again represented as sex objects. The whole reason for the male being in the advert is that he is there to promote the product by constantly showing his body therefore, representing him not only as promiscious but also as a sex object. Furthermore, the male is also a target of the female gaze as his sole purpose for being in the advert is to show his body.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Sexy Coke Advert
This advert is very similar to the diet coke advert as they both portray men as the sex objects. The male is seen with his top off which almost makes the female fall to her knees as she is aroused by his "perfect" body. She is seen slowly pulling her skirt up representing her as promiscious. This also brings up the ideology of a patriarchal society as the male has this sexual power of this woman due to his perfect looks. The male is also the subject of the female gaze as he is placed there for all woman to look at.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Diet Coke Break
This commercial represents the male as the sex object as he is the subject of the female gaze. In the commercial all the women gather around one window to see the male take of his top while they are aroused by his body, this makes him the subject of the female gaze and puts men is a different light. On the contrary it could also be said that the male has this power over women and they fall to his feet because of his looks and his body raising the issue of a patriarchy society. It also brings up the issue of the perfect body as the advert is implying that by driking diet coke you can have a perfect body and get all the women like he does.
Flake
This advert portrays women in a different light and represents them as a sex object. The woman in the advert is dressed a skirt and shes seen unwrapping the Flake Chocolate almost in a sexual manner. The fact that the women is holding the Flake in such a sexual way makes it a phallic symbol. The women her self is an object of the male gaze therefore, she is represented as a sex object.
Flash
The Flash commercial is very similar to the Shake and Vac commercial as they both represent the female in the advertisement as a stereotypical housewife. The female promoting the product is seen wearing a typical housewife outfit consisting of an apron, a skirt etc. This represents the woman as a housewife not only isit the outfit that represents the woman as a stereotypical housewife its the domestic household tasks she is carrying out such as cleaning cupboard, cleaning windows etc. This all reinforces the idea that during that time period society expected women to fulfill these roles and take up the responsibility of a housewife leaving the male to work and allowing him to chase his dream.
Shake and Vac
At the beginning of the advert you can see the woman is dressed in a typical housewife outfit which instantly represents her as the housewife. The advert itself is promoting a cleaning product and with a woman promoting this cleaning product it brings up the ideology of a patriarchy society as males are not seen once in this advert therefore, it is seen as the males are the ones who are placing their women in the household making them clean. The woman is also seen carrying out domestic household tasks such as hoover once again representing her as the stereotypical housewife. This shows that womens place in society during that time did not change and they were there to please their husband, look after their children and make sure the house was clean. Society now expects much more women and these stereotypes attached to women are disposed of as women are more likely to go out and get a job.
Ways which female directors could improve
There is a lack of female directors in the film industry and this has to improve. There are various ways in which the number of female directors could improve:
- One of the ways which the number of female directors could improve is by the male sharing the household work with the female. There is the so called new man being formed but this needs to keep happening and improving in order for the females to have more free time and chase their dreams of directing. Women are currently having to take care of their young children which means they have no time to direct hence the low number of female directors. Therefore, it is seen that one of the ways in which the number of female directors could improve is by the male sharing household tasks with the women and also men sharing child rearing.
Female Directors
Sofia Coppola:
Born on May 14, 1972 in New York. Sofia Coppola has been one of the rare female directors to get recognition for her productions. She has won an Academy Award for being a screenwriter and is to be nominated for another Academy Award for directing. She is the daughter Francis Ford Coppola who directed the well known Godfather. She started off as an actor and is mostly known for her role in The Godfather as Mary Corleone but she later went on to directing. Her three most recognisable films are Lick the Star(1998), Virgin Suicide (1999) and Lost in Translation (2003) which won a Academy Award.
Filmography:
1996: Bed Bath and Beyond
1998: Lick the Star
1999: The Virgin Suicide
2003: Lost in Translation
2006:Mary Antoinette
Jane Campion:
Born on 30th of April, 1954 in Wellington, New Zealand, Jane Campion is a Academy Award winning screenwriter and has also been nominated for an Academy Award for directing. Jane Campion started off directing by making films at the Australian Film Telivision and Radio School. Her first short film, Peel won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. She later went on to direct many other films that won her international awards.
Filmography:
1989:Sweetie
1990:An Angel at My Table
1993: The Piano
1996:The Portrait of a Lady
1999: Holy Smoke
2003: In the Cut
2006: The Water Diary
2008: 8
Amy Heckerling:
Amy Heckerling was born on May 7 , 1954 in the Bronx. She ones of the few female directors to have multiple box office hits. Heckerling attended New York University where she studied film and then later went on to direct her first film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This movie was heavily praised and pathed a way for her success. She then produced another massive hit starring John Travolta titled Look Whos Talking. This movie was very successful that there was a sequel once again directed by Amy Heckerling titled Look Whos Talking Too. She then went on to produce another box office hit, Clueless. Her next few films were not as popular.
Filmography:
1977: Getting it Over With
1982: Fast Time at Ridgemont High
1984: Johnny Dangerously
1985: National Lampoons European Vacation
1989: Look Whos Talking
1990: Look Whos Talking Too
1995: Clueless
2000: Loser
2007: I Could Never Be Your Woman
Gurinder Chadha:
Gurinder Chadha was born on January 10 , 1960 in Nairobi, Kenya. She then moved to Southall, England when she was 2. She started off as a BBC Radio reporter until she made a documentary for Channel 4. She then went on to film production in 1993. Her main hits are, Bend it Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging which is her latest film.
Filmography:
1992: Acting Our Age
1993: Bhaji on the Beach
1994: What do you can an Indian women whos funny?
1994: Nice Arrangement
2000: Whats Cooking
2002: Bend it like Beckham
2004: Bride and Prejudice
2008: Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Nora Ephron:
Nora Ephron May 19, 1941 in New York . She graduated from Wellesley College and then went on to be a reporter for the New York Post. She then went on to be a successful writer for the womens issue of Esquire. She later went on to film and directed box office hits such as Bewitched and Sleepless in Seattle.
Filmography:
1992:This is My Life
1993:Sleepless in Seattle
1994:Mixed Nuts
1996: Michael
1998: You've Got Mail
2005: Bewitched
Born on May 14, 1972 in New York. Sofia Coppola has been one of the rare female directors to get recognition for her productions. She has won an Academy Award for being a screenwriter and is to be nominated for another Academy Award for directing. She is the daughter Francis Ford Coppola who directed the well known Godfather. She started off as an actor and is mostly known for her role in The Godfather as Mary Corleone but she later went on to directing. Her three most recognisable films are Lick the Star(1998), Virgin Suicide (1999) and Lost in Translation (2003) which won a Academy Award.
Filmography:
1996: Bed Bath and Beyond
1998: Lick the Star
1999: The Virgin Suicide
2003: Lost in Translation
2006:Mary Antoinette
Jane Campion:
Born on 30th of April, 1954 in Wellington, New Zealand, Jane Campion is a Academy Award winning screenwriter and has also been nominated for an Academy Award for directing. Jane Campion started off directing by making films at the Australian Film Telivision and Radio School. Her first short film, Peel won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. She later went on to direct many other films that won her international awards.
Filmography:
1989:Sweetie
1990:An Angel at My Table
1993: The Piano
1996:The Portrait of a Lady
1999: Holy Smoke
2003: In the Cut
2006: The Water Diary
2008: 8
Amy Heckerling:
Amy Heckerling was born on May 7 , 1954 in the Bronx. She ones of the few female directors to have multiple box office hits. Heckerling attended New York University where she studied film and then later went on to direct her first film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. This movie was heavily praised and pathed a way for her success. She then produced another massive hit starring John Travolta titled Look Whos Talking. This movie was very successful that there was a sequel once again directed by Amy Heckerling titled Look Whos Talking Too. She then went on to produce another box office hit, Clueless. Her next few films were not as popular.
Filmography:
1977: Getting it Over With
1982: Fast Time at Ridgemont High
1984: Johnny Dangerously
1985: National Lampoons European Vacation
1989: Look Whos Talking
1990: Look Whos Talking Too
1995: Clueless
2000: Loser
2007: I Could Never Be Your Woman
Gurinder Chadha:
Gurinder Chadha was born on January 10 , 1960 in Nairobi, Kenya. She then moved to Southall, England when she was 2. She started off as a BBC Radio reporter until she made a documentary for Channel 4. She then went on to film production in 1993. Her main hits are, Bend it Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging which is her latest film.
Filmography:
1992: Acting Our Age
1993: Bhaji on the Beach
1994: What do you can an Indian women whos funny?
1994: Nice Arrangement
2000: Whats Cooking
2002: Bend it like Beckham
2004: Bride and Prejudice
2008: Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Nora Ephron:
Nora Ephron May 19, 1941 in New York . She graduated from Wellesley College and then went on to be a reporter for the New York Post. She then went on to be a successful writer for the womens issue of Esquire. She later went on to film and directed box office hits such as Bewitched and Sleepless in Seattle.
Filmography:
1992:This is My Life
1993:Sleepless in Seattle
1994:Mixed Nuts
1996: Michael
1998: You've Got Mail
2005: Bewitched
Why women directors are such a rare sight
Media itself is generally dominated by males so a lack of women directors is not much of a suprise but actors themselves have wished to work with more women directors as it would be a change. So what are the reasons behind the lack of women directors:
- One reason is because of the prehistoric times when the men use to carry the equipment because it was too heavy for women. The equipment would of needed around 100 to 150 large men to carry therefore, a hierachy was built upon this and females were seen as useless. Although this weight of equipment is no longer a problem the hierachy still exists and women still find it difficult to break into directing.
- Another reason is womens role in a household. Women have to take care of their children while the men go off and work leaving women unable to direct. Although this is starting to change in society and males are sharing this role it has to continue in order for women to have that time to direct a film.
- Film itself is built by various levels and within each of these levels there are males making it a male dominated industry. This makes it very difficult for women to even get their ideas out let alone getting promoted and the industry is starting to become a "Who you know" industry which basically means that you have to know someone in a higher rank to even get your ideas out or get promoted.
- Having children also causes women to not succeed in the film industry and become directors. This is because directing asks for your all and expects you to give up all your time so that you can spend it on the project. Having a child makes it all the more difficult but this can also fixed by males taking on more a househusband role.
- The last and the most obvious reason is that men control the money in the world. Therefore, they are going to decide who to give the money to and unfortunately its not women hence the lack of female directors.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Propp Theory
Apocalypto does follow the stereotypical roles in a movie. There is a hero, villian, princess etc.
- Hero: Jaguar Paw is the hero in this movie as he is taken from his village and has to fight his way back to save his family. This role is typically filled by men which has been backed up by this movie as Jaguar Paw, a male is playing the hero role.
- Villian: The villian in this movie is the whole of the Mayan Kingdom as they are the ones who invade Jaguar Paw's village taking all of them slaves.
- The Magical Helper: The magical helper in this movie is Jaguar Paw's Brother as he is the one that takes a knife to the chest so that Jaguar Paw can carry on running from the Mayan Kingdom to go save his family.
- Princess: Jaguar Paw's wife as she is put in a hole but Jaguar Paw and is waiting to be saved by him as he makes his escape.
Ideologies in Apocalypto
Apocalypto is a film with many ideologies scattered throughout. The following ideologies are included in Apocalypto:
- Patriarchy: Partiarchy is the main ideology that has been implemented in the movie. The consistent shots that glamourise the males dominance of females reinforces the ideology throughout. The various long shots of the male speaking over the whole of kingdom certainly backs up the point of patriarchy existing in this movie. Another way patriarchal ideology is reinforced is by women having to play the traditional role of playing the housewife while the men go out and hunt for the food playing the "mans" role.
- Masculism: Masculism is another ideology which has been identified in Apocalypto. This ideology is basically referring to the belief that men should be the dominant ones. This ideology is reinforced throughout the movie. One of the major areas where it is reinforced are the fighting scenes. Majority of the time men are fighting each other to save the village while women are helpless and screaming. Alongside that, the women are also being manhandled by the men as they are dragged from their husbands and in some cases are raped. These are few of the scenes which help identify the ideology of masculism being implemented in the movie.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Del.ici.ous Links
http://www.imdb.com/ - This website can be used as it has information about my movie stating the sales it has generated, what genre type, key characters etc. All this information can be added in my final essay.
http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/index.html - This website has information about key theorists that link to media therefore, I can use the information about the theorists in my essay.
http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/colonial2.html#terms - Another website that has information about theorists and historial and cultural contexts. This historical and cultural contexts can be used in my essay as Apocalypto may follow some of the stereotypes from those times.
http://www.totalfilm.com/ - An online magazine which tells you about the latest magazines. This website is very useful as it gives information about the directors and characters of Apocalypto which can be included in the essay.
http://www.empireonline.com/ - Empire Magazine's online website. This website gives useful information about the background of Apocalypto and also a review.
http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/ - Website has a huge film database including information of Apocalypto which can be included in my final essay.
http://www.jahsonic.com/2006Feb.html - Website that has definitions of media key words and also has information about theorists. This information can be included in my essay.
http://marlowmedia.co.uk/ - Helps with the coursework by giving key links to websites that may help you with ur independent study.
http://www.katpad.co.uk/media%20website%202000/index.html - This website gives a guideline of what to include in the essay and how many words it should be. Very useful for when I am going to write my essay.
http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/index.html - This website has information about key theorists that link to media therefore, I can use the information about the theorists in my essay.
http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/colonial2.html#terms - Another website that has information about theorists and historial and cultural contexts. This historical and cultural contexts can be used in my essay as Apocalypto may follow some of the stereotypes from those times.
http://www.totalfilm.com/ - An online magazine which tells you about the latest magazines. This website is very useful as it gives information about the directors and characters of Apocalypto which can be included in the essay.
http://www.empireonline.com/ - Empire Magazine's online website. This website gives useful information about the background of Apocalypto and also a review.
http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/ - Website has a huge film database including information of Apocalypto which can be included in my final essay.
http://www.jahsonic.com/2006Feb.html - Website that has definitions of media key words and also has information about theorists. This information can be included in my essay.
http://marlowmedia.co.uk/ - Helps with the coursework by giving key links to websites that may help you with ur independent study.
http://www.katpad.co.uk/media%20website%202000/index.html - This website gives a guideline of what to include in the essay and how many words it should be. Very useful for when I am going to write my essay.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Media Dictionary Words
Action Code - This media dictionary word is very useful as the actual definition relates to the narrative structure of Apocalypto therefore, it can be used in my independent study.
Adventure Film - Adventure Film is a genre that Apocalypto uses as Jaguar Paw's village is kidnap and taken far away from home and he has to come back to save his family making him fight through many exciting challenges. From this it is seen that there is a clear link and the media dictionary word can be used in my independent study.
Disequilibrium - Disequilibrium is also included in Apocalypto as the villagers are kidnapped therefore, it can be used in the independent study.
Ellipsis - Ellipsis can be used in my independent study as in Apocalypto there are certain elements which of a normal action narrative structure that have been taken out to speed up the action.
Equilibrium - This media dictionary word can be used in my independent study as the start of the movie sees the village as a peaceful and harmonious village which then are disrupted by the Myrad Kingdom.
Hybrid - Hybrid genre links to my independent study movie, Apocalypto as Apocalypto is a cross between Action, Drama and Adventure.
Patriarchy - Another key word which can be included in my independent study as there are many scenes where the male are dominating the women which brings up the ideology of a patriarchal society.
Protagonist - One of main keywords as there are protagonists in almost every movie in the case of Apocalypto it is Jaguar Paw. This word can definitely be included in my independent study.
Adventure Film - Adventure Film is a genre that Apocalypto uses as Jaguar Paw's village is kidnap and taken far away from home and he has to come back to save his family making him fight through many exciting challenges. From this it is seen that there is a clear link and the media dictionary word can be used in my independent study.
Disequilibrium - Disequilibrium is also included in Apocalypto as the villagers are kidnapped therefore, it can be used in the independent study.
Ellipsis - Ellipsis can be used in my independent study as in Apocalypto there are certain elements which of a normal action narrative structure that have been taken out to speed up the action.
Equilibrium - This media dictionary word can be used in my independent study as the start of the movie sees the village as a peaceful and harmonious village which then are disrupted by the Myrad Kingdom.
Hybrid - Hybrid genre links to my independent study movie, Apocalypto as Apocalypto is a cross between Action, Drama and Adventure.
Patriarchy - Another key word which can be included in my independent study as there are many scenes where the male are dominating the women which brings up the ideology of a patriarchal society.
Protagonist - One of main keywords as there are protagonists in almost every movie in the case of Apocalypto it is Jaguar Paw. This word can definitely be included in my independent study.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Media Dictionary Words
Action Code - A narrative structure based on a dramatic sequence of events, often leading to a violent resolution.
Adventure Film - A film genre in which the characters are placed in an exciting and often dangerous location far away from home.
Disequilibrium : The disruption of narrative by persons or events presenting a challenge to the harmonious equilibrium often found at the beginning of a film or other media text.
Ellipsis - The removal or shortening of elements of a narrative to speed up the action.
Equilibrium: The harmonious state that often exists at the start of a narrative before disruptive or transforming elements are introduced.
Hybrid - A cross between one film genre and another
Patriarchy - Male domination of the political, cultural and socioeconomic system.
Protagonist - The leading character or hero in a film with whom the audience can identify and from whose point of view the action is positioned, often set in binary opposition against the antagonist.
Adventure Film - A film genre in which the characters are placed in an exciting and often dangerous location far away from home.
Disequilibrium : The disruption of narrative by persons or events presenting a challenge to the harmonious equilibrium often found at the beginning of a film or other media text.
Ellipsis - The removal or shortening of elements of a narrative to speed up the action.
Equilibrium: The harmonious state that often exists at the start of a narrative before disruptive or transforming elements are introduced.
Hybrid - A cross between one film genre and another
Patriarchy - Male domination of the political, cultural and socioeconomic system.
Protagonist - The leading character or hero in a film with whom the audience can identify and from whose point of view the action is positioned, often set in binary opposition against the antagonist.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
SHEP Analysis
Social:
Historical:
Economical:
The economical issue of poverty amongst the poorer is raised also the issue of the economical gap between the rich and poor and how it is increasing.
Political:
The political issue of freedom and human rights in raised in Apocalypto. Mayan Kingdom taking Jaguar Paw's village as slaves replicates the doings of the Slave Trade where the Whites took the Blacks from their native land(Africa) and forced them to work as slaves.
Historical:
Economical:
The economical issue of poverty amongst the poorer is raised also the issue of the economical gap between the rich and poor and how it is increasing.
Political:
The political issue of freedom and human rights in raised in Apocalypto. Mayan Kingdom taking Jaguar Paw's village as slaves replicates the doings of the Slave Trade where the Whites took the Blacks from their native land(Africa) and forced them to work as slaves.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Media Representation
There are many different representations in Apocalypto. Starting off with the most obvious representation the hero, Jaguar Paw. He is represented as the hero due to the frequent shots of him battling to save the village. In one particular scene he puts his family in a hole and says "I will be back to save you" That one scene alone set him up as the hero. Jaguar Paw is also set up as the hero because the story follows his troubles more than anyone elses. It focuses on his escape from the rivals and also focuses on his family.
The Mayan Kingdom are set up as the evil from the start when they invade the village and brutally batter the Jaguar Paw's peaceful village. The long shots of the Mayan Kingdom dragging women from their loved ones whilst they are crying also set them up as the villians. One scene in particular where they slit Jaguar Paw's father throat infront of him and laugh show also sets them up.
Jaguar Paw's villagers are represented as the innocent people. This is set up by the scene where they are taken across the jungle tied up against wood and beaten along the way. This represents them as harmless and innocent.
The Mayan Kingdom are set up as the evil from the start when they invade the village and brutally batter the Jaguar Paw's peaceful village. The long shots of the Mayan Kingdom dragging women from their loved ones whilst they are crying also set them up as the villians. One scene in particular where they slit Jaguar Paw's father throat infront of him and laugh show also sets them up.
Jaguar Paw's villagers are represented as the innocent people. This is set up by the scene where they are taken across the jungle tied up against wood and beaten along the way. This represents them as harmless and innocent.
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