Question and answers relating to 'Websex'

What is being done by the soundtrack/ voiceover/ dialogue?
The music, dialogue and voiceover are used to anchor te images that are on them screen in order for the whole audience to be informed of the same detail.

What sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning?
The diagetic sounds that are used include dubstep and other upbeat music which relates to a young audience. Also, the presenter is a young attractive female who uses social networking and wants to investigate the effects of this using this particular documentary.

What are the denotative meanings and connotations?
The music denotes an image of modernism and the technology that is used connotes the fact that she (the presenter) is trying to represent the younger generations using things like technology which we are very literate in the use of.

What is the significance of the mise-en-scene? 
Mise-en-scene is useful because it allows us to identify the authenticity of the documentary. For example reaction could be staged and planned however in this programme, all of the dialogue is improvised on screen and lets us recognise the people's clothes and etc. This is very casual to further reinforce the authenticity.

What are the dominant images and iconography?
The dominant images include when the presenter is looking directly at the screen whilst pretending that the camera is actually an iPad which displays the facts as she browses. This also  reinforces the decision of he target audience.

What assumptions about the audience are made?
That every young teen desires to take part in sexual activities and social networking sites may be contributing to the increase of STI's spreading.

How might the audience react to the text?
They may be shocked or surprised by some of the facts  like the presenter when half of the things were revealed.

How does the text appeal to the audience?
It appeals to a young audience because of the issues that it relates to which include teen sex and social networking.

How do you read and evaluate the text?
In my opinion I think that this programme was very informative as I have learnt many new things however there is no evidence that has been found to link social networking to the increase in STI's.

Who is the target audience?
The target audience includes the younger audiences and the people that are more literate in the use of technology and involved with social networking.

To which genre/s does the text belong?
This belongs to the expository and participatory forms of documentary.

Which generic conventions is the text using?
Real footage edited together, the film maker is involved with the action in the film and is seen by the audience. There is also a VoiceOver used to anchor the images on the screen.

What are the audiences’ generic expectations are they fulfilled or subverted?
The audience may be informed and educated which is the BBC's main aim especially using it's documentaries. If this particular documentary is similar to others on this channel then the audience will not be disappointed.

Who is being represented?
Young teenagers and young adults ranging from the ages 14-25.

What is being represented?
The implications that websex has and how it is an increasingly trending subject matter.

Why is the subject being represented in this way?
To ensure that the audience actually understands the risks of websex and how it can have a negative impact.

Are there any stereotypes?
Some stereotypes are used to represnt males as players and why they have turned into this is addressed during the course of the programme.

Is the representation fair and accurate?
Possibly not because they only look at a couple examples and this may not be representative of the larger UK target audience.

What are the major ideologies, values and assumptions behind the text?
Sex before marriage, homosexuality and young people having sex.

How are these ideas and values put across in the text?
Sex is now something that can be freely discussed and this could not have been done 3 decades ago. It was simply not socially acceptable for sex before marriage to be talked about but now times have changed and is discussed freely taking into consideration other sexual perspectives including gays.

How did the institution affect the text?
BBC produced this programme therefore it may have contained similar elements of others documentaries that they have produced in the past as heir productions have one specific aim which is to inform and educate audiences.

What is the institutional source of the text?
BBC Three has conducted research into the lives of their target audience to use as a source of it's information.

How has the text been distributed?
The text has been aired on TV on BBC Three and is available to be watched online using the BBC iPlayer.

Who owns and controls the institution?
The BBC is privately owned however is funded using payments from consumers through tv license fees.

Is the text a public service or commercial institution?
Public service broadcaster

TECHNOPHOBES

BBC Three is launching a new program called “Technophobes”, following the lives of five people who are afraid of technology.

AUDIENCE: I think this programme will appeal to teenagers and older audiences. This could range from ages 15-35. This is because this programme is related to technology and the younger generation is more literate in the use of technology and this programme may make more sense to them. In terms of social status, this will be likely to target a C1 and C2 class because these are the more well off people therefore they will be able to afford the technology and could possibly own the technology therefore can relate to key concepts. However it  target audiences with a lower socio-economic status such as students as they may have part-time jobs and have the luxury to spend money on technology.

INSTITUTION: This will allow us to recognise what kind of programme this is depending on the time that the programme is set to air on BBC Three. This particular programme will be aired at 10:00pm which means that this has been placed at this specific time for a reason and this can include the fact that this is after watershed which implies that there may be profane language exhibited during the programme which makes it unsuitable for younger audiences.

MEDIA FORMS: You may expect to see an observational documentary as this is a documentary based on natural situations. However, there will be elements if other forms if documentary such as expository where there may be interview with the main characters and how they feel when they are around technology. It is unlikely that BBC Three would use a hand-held camera to capture all the action and therefore editing will be used to piece together clips about the cast and how they try to get over their phobia.

REPRESENTATION: This could lead to a negative portrayal  of the main stars because of he fact that the younger generations are likely to find the phobias of the stars and their reactions slightly amusing. Also, we are more used to having technology all around us therefore this could lead to a negatively perceived outlook on the programme.

REVIEW: Just watched the first episode of "Technophobes". All I can say is LOOOOOOL. I just couldn't stop smiling, because of how weird the idea of technophobia could even exist. If this was the  intended reaction that BBC Three wanted then well done because it was a good and informative programme. Thumbs up people!!

Documentaries

There are 6 types of documentary which are as follows:

1. Poetic
2. Expository
3. Observational
4. Participatory
5. Reflexive
6. Performative

 

Expository Documentaries:

• Voiceover which addresses the audience directly (acts as a commentator) – usually a male who has an authoritative voice (voice of God) and may be an expert in the relevant topic of the documentary
• Images are used to reinforce the voiceover and advance the argument that has been put forward
• Editing is used for continuity to link the images together which support the voiceover furthermore
• Attempts to persuade the audience of a particular point of view

Observational Documentaries:

• Hand-held cameras are mostly used
• Least amount of intervention from documentary makers
• No voiceovers are used – it is presented in its ‘purest’ form
• The subject pretend as if they are not being filmed

Reflexive Documentaries:

• Borrows techniques from fiction film for an emotional, subjective response
• Voiceover (if there is one present) will sound questioning and maybe a little uncertain
• Relies more on suggestion rather than facts
• Emphasises the expressive nature of the film
• Makes the audience question the reality of documentary

Plan for Essay

Consider the reasons media products from your case study are present across a range of media platforms? In your answer you should:

i.)      Provide a brief outline of your case study

ii.)    Discuss the advantage for producers of each media platform

iii.)  Support your answer with reference to examples from all three platforms

Intro:

ü  Outline Super 8 Cross-Media Study

ü  Answer the question briefly

ü  Briefly describe each platform

First Paragraph:

ü  Relate to broadcast media and apply elements of CMS

ü  Advantages and disadvantages of this particular platform

ü  Link back to CMS

Second Paragraph:

ü  Explain how Super 8 is present across the print media platform

ü  Discuss the pros and cons of this platform

ü  Link back to the CMS

Third Paragraph:

ü  Describe how Super 8 is presented through e-media (viral marketing etc.)

ü  Consider the negatives and positives of this platform

ü  Relate back to the CMS

Conclusion:

ü  Which platform is most important

ü  Reasons why