MAGAZINE COVERS - CONTRAST

PREP: Analyse the media language of the MOJO cover below. Use the terms that you have learned. 
Compare and contrast the cover with another magazine cover, drawing attention to the similarities and differences, and saying what the genre codes and conventions are.

The contrast cover can either be your own cover or another professional cover.

In the Bowie cover he is standing tall and proud, he is standing with pride with his chest pushed out. He also has his legs spread a part showing us that he is independent and superior to others. He has his hands behind his back to show us that he doesn't need to protect himself because no one should approach him, it as if he is showing that he will not interact with people straight away. On the magazine it mentions something about the Berlin years, and then on top of the image of Bowie there is a road signed layered on the top which is written in German linking it to Berlin. On this magazine there are a few red signs with white bold writing , these bold boxes show us a sign of importance and that people should read them to see the main things. There is also a pug on the cover telling the reader they get to have a free CD with it. 

In this magazine cover by the rolling stones we see Amy Winehouse posing with quite a bit of skin showing this is one big difference between this magazine cover and the Bowie one, he is dressed casually and smart but also covered up showing him some respect. This magazine cover has a very retro vibe to it and looks old and worn. A similar aspect of this cover is that they have bold letters and words for example they have the bold red text like in the Bowie cover where they have the red boxes to show whats important. A similarity between the two is that the front cover name of each magazine is being covered up by the artists but this is very effective as you can still see the first and last letters and can tell what magazine it is that you are reading. Both the magazines have the name of the artist written quite bold on it but a difference is that David Bowies just says 'BOWIE' on it rather than the rolling stones one says 'Amy Winehouse' showing her full name.

This cover has a plainer background as well and is quite basic, unlike the Bowie one which is quite plain but has more colour to it and has a more ombre effect on it, it has more going on.

Although the two magazine covers have their similarities they also have many differences they are both designed differently and laid out differently.

AVRIL LAVIGNE - CODES AND CONVECTIONS

PREP MUSIC VIDEO CODES AND CONVENTIONS 
To prepare for the exam, we look at the media language of music videos, such as their codes and conventions below. For prep, copy the points in colour then add your own points in black.

1. Performance - the singer / band are seen to be singing and playing (including lip synching), to provide authenticity, so that followers believe in the talent and can see their star. Record labels sign stars and promote them  to ensure sales. Avril Lavigne sings throughout the video using a mike and draws a huge crowd of fans around her when she jumps onto a car roof in the street. She sings with great passion, energy and conviction, holding the mike close to her mouth. Close-ups show her every word (lip synching is a feature of music videos.) She performs for her fans and for her 'boyfriend' the sk8er boi who features in the narrative. Screens often feature in music video and the sk8er boi is videoing Avril Lavigne as he gazes adoringly up at her. She returns his gaze as she sings about 'we rock each other's world'. The performance element creates authenticity (fans have proof of her talent) because we see her sing.
2. Star - use of close-ups, sometimes direct eye contact with audience, to build relationship with audience  the close ups really show Avril's attitude which is cocky and as if she doesn't care. She also keeps eye contact getting us the audience on board with what she is saying. Through the close ups Avril invites us into her life to see what is happening and it makes it more personal, giving us a look into her life. There is a close up between skater boy and Avril's faces showing the love and how they both are so proud of each other.
3. The visuals (what the star and other characters are seen doing) illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics (the 'story in the words'). Illustration = the visuals play out the story more or less literally; amplify = the words in the lyrics are only the starting point and the story develops in other directions; contradiction / disjuncture = the visuals do not interpret the words of the lyrics and may even show something contradictory. They spray paint a star and the 7th street & spring to show that is their area and that they are in charge and the are leaders. As Avril's gang mark there territory. Its clear that they are planning on having a concert their. There are a few bits in the music video when the star is everywhere and that everyone knows. It was on leaflets which where being thrown around, and when they went into a coffee shop it was on the coffee cup. It represents Avril and her gang , showing that they are leaders. You get the story of Avril and how she is feeling and what she is doing and not what the other girl is doing even though that its about the other girl and what her life is now. She does air punches which match with the music and link with it making it look really good.
4. The narrative usually features the performer in 'real life' situations but often with experimental types of film making such as hand-held, dramatic camera angles, symbolic codes and lighting. There is a bit with Avril and her gang in the back of the car showing a real life situation, crowded with friend being driven and the camera is almost slanted a bit giving it a different , edger, angle
5. The visuals are usually cut to the beat of the music; the editing is often fast-paced; there is often use of montage, ellipsis and intercutting, stylish effects - The editing is fast paced this really sets the scene of where they are and what is going on. This shows us that the rest of the song is going to be fast paced, the rest of the song is fast and so is the video so they fit well together. It is hand held and being jolted around the car making us the audience feel like we are in the car with her.
6. Refrain - repeated chorus, sometimes with variations during the chorus - The visuals intensify the pace, we see a montage of different shots of Avril and her gang setting up the gig very quickly and rushing about, the crowd quickly joining in. The refrain helps tie it all together. At the end she changes the chorus so its about herself and how she met the skater boy instead how the other girl met the skater boy in the past. she makes it about the present and what is happening now.

AVRIL LAVIGNE MUSIC VIDEO

In the music video they use lots of different camera angles and different shots to give the atmosphere of what is going on and how everyone is feeling. It helps show you what kind of crowd they are. When they are all on the street dancing and singing they use lots of different angles, they use a low angle when Avril is standing on the car singing into the mic this makes her look more like a rockstar and more edgy. They move down her body so she looks down at the camera as if they are a fan. The camera is used to make it look like a fan or someone who is there in that moment. When the crowd is jumping up and down singing and dancing the camera jumps around with them making the viewer feel as if they are there and one of them. The camera follows the actors around at the beginning as well and around the streets. This gives the idea that Avril is a performer and they are documenting her life and her every move, showing the world what she is up to.

EDITING QUESTION

PREP Analyse how editing is used in the extract from Cuffs to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (This means that a good candidate will write fully and freely, covering more than just 2 examples, as we practised in class).
Worth 5 marks: write half a side of A4 and post on your blog tonight. If you have DoE, take an extra 24 hours.

 

 When the inspector is watching the clip that the dad sent to the mother he is looking really deep into the video to look for clues. As he looks at the TV more it gets closer and closer after watching the recording of them in the hotel room. This shows us that he is realizing there are clues within the recording and he is trying to figure them out. He kept repeating the same section of the clip showing us the audience he has an understanding of what is going on and has an idea of where it is and that he has found a clue. It makes us understand him and his job more and what he is thinking at that moment. In this scene the last frame is held for a long time to show us he is now sure about the information and that he is about to take action, this is followed by an extreme close up of a piece of paper which has 'see front lodge' written on it showing us the hotel they are staying at.


There is a shot reverse shot of Felix and Laurens dad, they cut between the two to show the feelings that both of the characters are feeling at that moment. It changes from close ups of their faces to close ups of Laurens dad standing against the wall and does close ups of his hands and feet as they are in the position as if he about to jump. This gives the dramatic effect that he is going to jump and commit suicide right in front of everyone eyes and builds up the tension making the audience worry and question what is going to happen.

10 D

PREP Analyse how mise-en-scene is used in the extract from Cuffs to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (This means that a good candidate will write fully and freely, covering more than just 2 examples, as we practised in class).
Worth 5 marks: write half a side of A4 and post on your blog tonight.

At the beginning of the scene we are shown a large sign that says "you are now entering a nudist beach" this tells you where he is about to enter. Not only does it tell you what kind of environment hes about to be entering it also has lots of stickers and graffiti on it showing you it might be quite a rough loud area. 

As well in the first scene they are in a formal scene they are wearing white gloves and suits this shows they are of high importance and wealthy. It makes them look smart as they don't normally wear them and that its an important occasion. 

in the scene where they go to the suicidal mans house they use lots of props in this scene that they have laying around the room to show that the guy is an alcoholic. They have lots of different alcohol bottles laying around for example beer, they were all around the room. The room was also extremely messy showing that his life wasn't well put together and he was a struggling man.

PREP Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer.
Worth 5 marks: write half a side of A4

There is a focus pull at the moment when Ryan says "we don't care what peoples parents do" and then it the camera pulls into Jake's face because of the fact that his Dad his head Chief.  When it pulls into Jake's face you see him grinning seeing his reaction to what was just said. There are also reaction shots from the other police officers who are laughing around him understanding the joke. Once the others laugh at the statement Jake then looks embarrassed and a bit upset.

There is a point of view shot when Jo is talking to Chief Super Robert about going out for 'a bight to eat' showing the audience they had been seeing each other before. She then looks at a picture in his office of his family and asks about his wife. This shows the awkward tension in the room and what there was in the past.

There is a slow zoom into a close up once Jo leaves the office and shuts the door when she shuts the door the camera zooms into her face while she leans on the door closing her eyes showing how upset she is, by this camera work we see exactly how she feels and see how embarrassed she is. It shows all the different emotions that are going on in that moment.

Crane shot shows the effect of where everyone is in this scene and shows how close they are to eachother and builds up the tension. Making us feel as if we are there witnessing it.