JOUR 3745 1st EditionExam # 2 Study Guide Lectures: 11-18Lecture 11 (March 23rd)The Movie IndustryProduction :- 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- CinemarkEmergence 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 actIdeology- a system of beliefs that groups of people share and believe are inherently true and acceptable; their worldview, how things ought to beCharacteristics 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 text1) Encodinga. Auteur theoryb. Manifest vs. Latent Message2) Decoding (interpretation)a. Schemes and expectations Interpreting texts – whose perspectives?- Isn’t it just “entertainment”?- Creator (author) only- Audience interpretationTechniques 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 anti-Semitism, 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- Romance2 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 GenreKey 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 commentaryMedia Effects Theory: Priming Theory - Associative network of memory- Activation/ excitation- Considerations/ interpretationsLecture 13 (April 1st)Comic Book industry – stages Processes of production:- Industrial process- Artisan process The Big Two – Mainstream - Recognition- Criticism- Documentary- Primary genresIndependent Comic Book Publishers- Profit – oriented mindset- Mass markets vs. niche marketsWork For Hire- Freelance- Ownership of properties - Ethical issues - Long-Term Financial RewardsMass Market Distribution- Newspaper stands, Grocery stores, drug stores, etc.- Retailer’s responsibility- Distributer’s responsibility - Burden- ProblemsDirect Market Distribution-- Subscription- Burden- Creators- positive outcome - Star systemDistribution Monopoly- Mid 1990’s – exclusive deals - Diamond- U.S department of justiceExhibition- Specialty stops- OnlineSuper 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 – Presento Hyper Sexualized (ex: Crystal)o Supporting role - Present: Slow Changeso