Representation: African Americans

1. African Americans are either represented weaker in films or in a power position.

2. One film in which African Americans are put in a more powerful position is BlacKkKlansman. The film tells the story of how an African American lead is able to infiltrate the KKK with the aid of a white partner. This film strives to show the power that the African Americans by putting him in control, as well as other African American actors within the film. However, the film does keep its historical accuracy with the negative African American slang, thus having a truthful aspect.

However, the news media does tend to portray African Americans negatively. Oftentimes, the media negatively enforces the stereotype of African Americans being frequent criminals. This is often seen by the skin color being referred to after crimes in news reports. Additionally, the media tends to view African Americans as lower since they embellish much of the smaller accomplishments. This is likely due to African Americans being prejudiced against throughout history, thus making their accomplishments more grandiose than a white individual.

3. I feel these representation characteristics poorly presents the African American community as it usually has negative connotations connected to it. I do not believe it is fair since there is a large disproportionationality between the amount of African American and white crimes emphasized. Even though in the past, this data may have been true, the representation currently is inaccurate. Additionally, the representation of African Americans typically being associated with gangs is inaccurate to the majority of the African American population. This representation shows the constant emphasis of the negatives of African Americans, as opposed to providing more representation of their relativly equal status.

4. In regards to represention aspects that I would keep, I believe most are poor at providing a correct representation, except for their strong attempts at turning the perception of the public into a more positive one.

In regards to the representation aspects that I would challenge, most representation in the media is greatly inaccurate and poorly represents the African American group. For example, aspects such as the crime affiliation and low intelligence paint a poor picture for modern day African Americans considering their evolution in social acceptance. I believe African Americans today are held at a much lower regard than what they should be, but that is slowly changing with an increase in the representation within films.

Genre Database Entry: Sci-Fi

Sci-Fi

Conventions-Content: Sci-Fi films typically consist of futuristic technology and scientific aspects. Oftentimes the period is far in the future with extreme technology advancements, or some past time period with technological advancements that contradicts what existed. The setting is often in space or an area that is not Earth, allowing for flexibility in the plausible technology. There is also a typical overarching conflict between a good side and bad side.

Conventions-Production Techniques: One of the main production techniques used is VFX. Sci-Fi films often use special effects in order to make the unknown technologies more realistic and believable, as well as to avoid having to create props that function in the advanced manner that is intended. 

Foley sounds are also often created in order to fabricate the abstract types of sounds that would be emitted by the technologies. This allows for more depth and emphasis on the technology, a common attribute of the genre. 

Another way that technology is emphasized is with close-up camera shots, providing the audience with a better image of the technology. 

Mise en scene is also a large amount of the production due to the importance of creating the futuristic aesthetic without using special effects for the film's entirety. The blend of the tangible set design, costumes, and props, as well as the VFX, creates a more realistic image that captures the genre. 

Marketing: Marketing for Sci-Fi often consists of strong emphasis on the visual beauty that is achieved through the intense use of special effects. Posters can either consist of this, or an emphasis on a certain actor, or sometimes even both. However, most often posters advertise their visual approach more than anything else. This helps to better entice individuals that are intrigued by such film aspects. 

Additionally, Sci-Fi films often market through tangible merchandise. Since the props seen in the films are often otherworldly, most audiences fantasize about being able to hold a replica of such technology. When films produce such products, they often earn extra revenue and have another method of advertisement since their film’s properties are being publicized, leading to more exposure. Additionally, the product looking technologically advanced may garner new attraction, possibly leading to a larger audience.

Film sample #1: The Empire Strikes Back: This film is one of the most prominent examples of a Sci-Fi film. Throughout the entire Star Wars series of films, there is always the presence of key Sci-Fi conventions such as advanced technology and a space setting, often with distant planets being visited. At the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back, the film is set on the planet Hoth which primarily consists of snow and is the base of operations for the good side (Rebels) of the film, which is another convention prevalent within the film. The Rebels are then attacked by the bad side (The Empire) of the film. This conflict satisfies the convention of a typical good side bad side conflict. Additionally, throughout the film, there are advanced weaponry such as lightsabers, which have been marketed heavily for exposure and for revenue, and blasters which shoot beams of plasma energy. The film also consists of heavy use of special effects throughout to capture the true feeling of the advanced technology. In the more recent films, the special effects are used more often and more computerized as opposed to the practical effects used in past films such as The Empire Strikes Back.

Film sample #2: The Terminator: This film consists of many different conventions that fit the Sci-Fi criteria. For example, the film takes place in 1984 but with advanced technology incorporated in it. This was made plausible in the film as it was explained that the Terminator technology was teleported back from 2029 to kill Sarah Connor, which is advanced in itself. Furthermore, the film has visual effects such as the machinery of the Terminator's endoskeleton.  This futuristic element is heavily marketed due to its unique appearance. It is sold as figurines and just advertised on posters to entice more people to view the movie. Posters also advertise Arnold Schwarzenegger as the main actor to garner even more attention towards the film.  Additionally, the film consists of a good side (Sarah Connor) and a bad side (The Terminator) conflict which fits the conventions.

Other examples: Matrix, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek, Alien

Genre Database Entry: Adventure

Conventions-Content: Adventure genres typically consist of a male protagonist that is curious and brave, often getting involved in risky endeavors. The time period is usually in the past to make reference to the time period. Within the film, there are moments of intensity such as action sequences, as well as moments of realization to progress the story.

Conventions-Production Techniques: During some action scenes, the camera shakes to amplify intensity. Props often include weapons from the represented time period, as well as artifacts that the adventurer is trying to obtain. Set design is made to realistically portray the intended setting either through fabricating a set or finding a location which best fits the intended area. Additionally, if location is found rather than created, landmarks of historical or visual significance are implemented to provide more relevance to the audience, as well as better fit the time period's stereotypes.

Sounds used are often music to add suspense, intensity, or curiosity to a scene with similar visual attributes. Additionally, Foley sounds are used to portray elements of the world typical to the setting, such as gunshots and horses, providing a more immersive experience for the audience and truly encapsulating the setting of the film.

Marketing: A common poster for adventure films portray a smaller figure being shadowed by a much larger figure to emphasize the large task that a character is about to embark on. Alternatively, another common poster could be a compilation of many different characters placed close together. Both posters strive to emphasize the contrast between the smaller and larger characters of the film. Typically, adventure films don’t often revolve around a specific actor, rather the journey of the film, unless a series is established. Considering the target audience of young teens to young adults (12-30), an emphasis on a story draws more attention than an emphasis on an actor.

Film sample #1: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark:

Indiana Jones tells a story of an archeologist that goes on an adventure to uncover the Lost Ark. Throughout the story, common conventions are used. Throughout the film, there is an emphasis on Jones’ brave and curious personality, a setting revolving around WW2 to refer to the time period, and plot points of intensity and realization. Within the film, props of swords, guns, and ancient artifacts are also made to fit the setting and time period of the film. For example, when Jones engages in a fight in a marketplace, props of swords and guns appropriate to the 1930s in the Middle East are used to maintain continuity, as well as to provide the audience with the visual elements of a different country. Additionally, the set often included crates with the Nazi party’s symbol to provide a better sense of the time period and the predicament that Jones is in. The sets used are also often of an area that is unknown to the protagonist, creating a sense of suspense for both the character in the film and the audience as both are unaware of what lies ahead, further satisfying the adventure genre.

Film sample #2: Jurassic Park:

Jurassic Park brings upon many different aspects of the adventure genre, with the primary focus being the main characters lack of knowledge of the area they enter. When first entering the park, for example, Alan and Ellie see the brachiosaurus and are impressed by the surprising aspects of the creature. This presents an unknown factor being discovered by main characters which is common within the genre. Additionally, the setting of the park creates a sense of adventure in itself. The forest like environment combined with the construction of humans creates a sense of the main characters never being alone, regardless of it being dinosaurs or other humans. The main characters are always on edge as a result, being unaware of their surroundings and what lies ahead. This carries an emotional impact of the audience exploring the world with the main characters, further amplifying the sense of adventure.

Other examples: Pirates of the Caribbean, Back to the Future, Wall-E, Jumanji, Up.

Introduction and Blog Purpose

My name is Jonathan Giat and I am a senior at Cypress Bay High School. I am currently enrolled in an AICE Media Studies class in which I analyze pieces of media and the techniques embedded within them. This blog is meant to complement this course and to also aid others searching for information I learn from this class. After conducting research, I will post findings here to assist anyone who requires information that I can supply. Additionally, this blog is meant to serve as a place where individuals with an interest in media can come to learn and be entertained.