JOUR 3745 1st Edition Exam 2 Study Guide Lectures 11 18 Lecture 11 March 23rd The Movie Industry Production Major studios Mini majors Independents Production Distribution Find movies to produce distribute Movies produced created by distributer s studios Movies from independent producers Cost sharing with other distributers Marketing Movies Research Publicity to buzz special events tie ins stars stars on talk shows social media Advertising promotion Major Chains Regal Amc Cinemark Emergence of Blockbuster Movies Late 1960 s 1970 s Film school brats Counter culture films replaced with traditional genre violence and or sex Jaws What are some characteristics of Hollywood blockbusters Incarnation of novel comic book T V show etc Sequels prequels remakes Market research Synergy Saturation advertising and promotion Global action more than drama culture Messages themes Movie storytelling and interpretation Culture and storytelling the shared understandings beliefs values practices and symbols of a group of people Cultures values and beliefs reside in stories it tells Our stories help define our realities shaping the way we think feel and act Ideology a system of beliefs that groups of people share and believe are inherently true and acceptable their worldview how things ought to be Characteristics of Ideology Socially constructed Dominant ideologies Perpetuated through socializing agent Culture is deeply connected to ideology American cinema Auteur Theory Became popular during the 1960 s mass produced vs art Focus director Analyzing a number of films common stylistic choices camera angels lighting editing etc 2 Stages of making meaning within any given text 1 Encoding a Auteur theory b Manifest vs Latent Message 2 Decoding interpretation a Schemes and expectations Interpreting texts whose perspectives Isn t it just entertainment Creator author only Audience interpretation Techniques of interpretation Different Methods Narrative Analysis Gene Analysis Semiotic Analysis Content Analysis Texts Movies TV shows Songs Books Commercials Magazines Etc Lecture 12 March 25th Characteristics of social problem films Originally referred to a cycle of films made a right after WWII that focuses on antiSemitism racism war trauma and other social ills Distinguished by subject matter spotlight a contemporary issue larger than the personal problems of the protagonists Attempt to prompt reflection discussion and action about a pressing concern of American social life Primarily dramas but could include satires and comedies similar to Dr Strangelove 1964 2 Narrative Modes Realism function Melodrama function Issues Historical Facts Realism vs Melodrama Simplified condensed prettified Protagonists vs Antagonists Protagonist s function Antagonist s function Ideology and plot Notable feature of social problem films Romance 2 Opposing Doctrines Entertainment Doctrine vs Social Responsibility Doctrine Social commentary We must play our part in the solution of the problems that torture the world We must begin to deal realistically in film with the causes of wars and panics with social upheavals and depressions with starvation and want injustice and barbarianism under whatever guise if you have something worthwhile to say dress it in the glittering robes of entertainment Critics of Social Commentary as Entertaining Marxist individual responsibility heroes villains vs societal issues inequalities poverty Cathartic effect Current Uses Hybridization subplots and latent messages Disaster Genre Key features of a Disaster film Disrupt Normalcy Before the disaster Provides hope for post disaster Institutions government education hospitals banks etc Fulfill deep human needs How will normalcy return Threatens the masses Individual characteristics symbolically represent larger groups Connect characteristics The disaster is not the conflict Start with normalcy Learn about conflict usually human relationships Story becomes more than disaster There can be conflict between two characters twister Conflicts between a character and an institution Conflict between 2 institutions Types of Disasters Failed technology computers science errors Apocalyptic end of the world Alien Invasions Terrorist attacks Natural disasters Diseases Accidents Dystopian Genre Def a futuristic imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate bureaucratic technological moral or totalitarian control Dystopian films through an exaggerated worst case scenario melodrama make a current criticism about a trend societal norm or political system Some characteristics of the dystopian genre Futuristic in response to a disaster Totalitarian government or dictator Police force Passive oppressed masses Concentration of money and power Good the people vs Evil government technology etc Protagonist hero Antagonist dictator government climate change etc Social commentary Media Effects Theory Priming Theory Associative network of memory Activation excitation Considerations interpretations Lecture 13 April 1st Comic Book industry stages Processes of production Industrial process Artisan process The Big Two Mainstream Recognition Criticism Documentary Primary genres Independent Comic Book Publishers Profit oriented mindset Mass markets vs niche markets Work For Hire Freelance Ownership of properties Ethical issues Long Term Financial Rewards Mass Market Distribution Newspaper stands Grocery stores drug stores etc Retailer s responsibility Distributer s responsibility Burden Problems Direct Market Distribution Subscription Burden Creators positive outcome Star system Distribution Monopoly Mid 1990 s exclusive deals Diamond U S department of justice Exhibition Specialty stops Online Super Hero Genre Comic book Era s Golden age 1939 1953 Silver Age 1954 1970 Bronze Age 1970 1985 Modern Age late 1985 present Superhero s and representation Female Super Hero s Golden Age WWII Post WWII Feminist Movement The 1980 s The 1980 s Present o Hyper Sexualized ex Crystal o Supporting role Present Slow Changes o Increased interests in comic books among women o Marvel A force All female avengers inspired comic book o Lesbian Gay Bi sexual characters comic book and TV shows Lecture 14 April 6th Heino Model 1 2 3 4 5 Traditional Culture Subculture emerges rebellious youth and challenges traditional values beliefs etc Period of dissension Marketers take notice and commodify the subculture s cultural artifacts Subculture