Textual Analysis - Supernatural

Supernatural is a American television show that is technically a fantasy/thriller but is also considered a horror at some points due to its content. Supernatural is a show about two brothers that go and hunt 'supernatural beings' to save people's lives. I have chosen a clip from season 8, episode 1; it is the first 5 minutes of the episode, but I will only be analysing the first 3.

Audio Codes:
During the first minute or so of the clip all the sounds are diegetic, for example the wind, the animals, the sound of feet standing on sticks and the characters talking; there is no type of non-diegetic sound at all. As the girl in the tent hears a person outside the tent the diegetic sound of her scared breathing is focused upon for a short time, this is because it creates a mysterious and tense atmosphere. The use of no non-diegetic sounds intensifies the scene, making the audience more invested and on edge. The moment Dean steals the camper's bag non-diegetic music is introduced, for me the lyrics of the music reflect Dean's inner emotions that he hides from everyone else.

Visual Codes:
In the very first few seconds of the clip there is a large amount of fog around the trees, this creates a sense of mystery and may even cause the forest to look dangerous due to it being nighttime.
Further along in the clip Dean shows himself to the campers and he has blood, dirt and sweat all over his face and a very serious and guarded facial expression suggesting that he is a force that should not be reckoned with. As the scenery changes, Dean is clean and in fresh clothes but his facial expression is still dark and guarded, implying that he is being haunted by something creating confusion and intrigue among the audience. Dean's guarded expression may be indicative of his character, suggesting that he is secretive and distant from other characters.

Technical Codes:
As Dean reveals himself there is a close-up of his face, giving a clearer view of all the blood and dirt that is on his face, which raises an enigma code forcing the audience to continue watching so they are able to find out what left Dean in a bloody, dirty mess.
The low-key lighting of the forest establishes the time of day and suggests that the place is unsafe place to be, the scene then changes to high-key lighting - again establishing the time of day - implying that Dean is now on safer territory. Further along in the clip the use of low-key lighting returns, indicating that Dean is about to do something potentially dangerous.

Textual Analysis The Hunger Games - Rue's Death

The Hunger Games is an American Adventure/Thriller where two children - one boy and one girl - from each district are chosen at random to compete in a televised fight to the death; this film sends a very serious message and really pulls at the heartstrings. The scene that I have chosen to analyse is Rue's death scene.

Audio Codes:
Throughout the entire clip there is the diegetic sound of Katniss' movements on the twigs and leaves in the setting around her as she runs towards the diegetic sound of the little girl calling her name; there is also a subtle non-diegetic sound of music that creates a somber feeling among the audience. As the little girl is dying, there is the diegetic sound of Katniss singing to her and behind that there is the non-diegetic sound of slow, sad music to complement Katniss' diegetic singing and sobbing throughout which is very powerful and gives the sense of realism to the audience.

Visual Codes:
Close-up shots of their facial expressions automatically show the character's feelings. In this case Rue and Katniss crying simultaneously, instantly creating an emotional atmosphere. The character's clothing and the state they're in gives a clear an insight of what kind situation the character is in at that present time. The characters in this particular clip are dressed in dark, warm and obviously worn out clothes making it clear that they have been outside for a large amount of time; this immediately shapes the audience's emotions, making them feel pity for these two as they are only children. The use of bright colours helps establish the setting and where each of the characters are at a certain time.

Technical Codes:
Traditionally high key lighting is associated with happy, comforting scenes; however, the use of high key lighting in this clip is quite the opposite. Even though there is use of high key lighting throughout this clip, in reality it is a very dark and heart wrenching scene; this could be the use of irony as the high key lighting is not as comforting as it should be. The camera focuses on the bright light above the trees which fades in and out of focus as an indication that Rue is slowly fading out of this life and into another. Eventually the trees and the light above it fades into a pure white light, suggesting that Rue has "walked into the light" and moved on.

Representation Task

Representation Task

Class - Newspaper: In the Daily Mail a woman from the upper class - due to her "celebrity" status - is portrayed in a very negative light, I know this as there is an article about a lady named Katie Hopkins saying that she judges children on their names. Although in the article she does approve of the name that Prince William and Kate used for their newborn son, she proceeds to abuse names that she thinks come from the "lower class" and the Daily Mail mocks her for this. To further the mockery of Katie Hopkins they begin to talk about her recently published book "The Class Book of Baby Names", giving quotes from the feedback that Hopkins has received in regards to her book. All of the quotes were mocking Hopkins and her book, one user even called her book "cheap and tacky" and then went on to say that this sums up the author perfectly. The Daily Mail portray Hopkins a critical and spiteful person as they quote some of the more unfriendly things she has said about children's names emphasising on the fact that Hopkins believes children with such names as "Tyler" and "Destiny" will not be successful in life.



Gender - TV Show: A television show that portrays women in a negative, critical way is a Danish chat show called "Blachman", through the duration of this show women walk on and silently undress as the male host and a guest criticize each aspect of their bodies. More often than not, the two critics will say humiliating and demeaning things to these women, but the women are not allowed to say anything back to these critics they must stand there in silent. This objectifies and demeans these women in every way possible. Due to the degrading things these two men can say about the women in front of them, the female gender is portrayed crudely and distastefully in this particular TV show. Blachman says himself that his show is a form of "art" clearly not realising the permanent effect his negative words can have on a woman.

Age - Film: In recent years most films/TV shows/news articles about teenagers portray them as thugs and delinquents, for me the perfect example of how teenagers are not represented positively is the film "Anuvahood". This film shows teenagers talking in a thuggish manner, threatening one another and actually beating one another up; this film also features cigarettes, drugs, knives and guns, giving the impression to the older generation that all teenagers are troublemakers within their communities. This film just reinforces the stereotypes that have already been placed on teenagers, making us seem intelligent and incredibly dense.

Race and Sexuality - TV Show: Glee is an American television show that aired on Fox, and for me Glee is a very diverse and positive television show as it has a wide range of people, no two people are the same in Glee. People that are different races and from different nationalities and people with very different sexualities; Glee is a very open and positive television show. As Glee is set in a high school, its target audience is going to be people of the same age as the characters in the show; this sets a good example for the teenagers watching this show as it sends out an incredibly positive, bright and upbeat vibe telling the audience that you should accept people of all  races and sexualities and just accepting people in general is very important. There is no person doing what is stereotypically "expected" of them due to their sexuality or race, each person is an individual and not judged on their race or their gender preference.