Task Six: Violence in the Media

1. What is this text, and where did you first see it?

This text is a clip from the film Edge of Darkness. It shows a woman who has gotten out of the front passenger seat of a car. She then gets hit by an oncoming car traveling at a very high speed. I viewed this film with my mother and father at our home.

2. What type of violence is being represented in this media text? (Sanitized, choreographed, gratuitous?)

I think the violence being represented is gratuitous. Not only does the scene startle you, but it makes you want to turn away. The scene happens very quickly, and it does not give you the oportunity to make a choice of whether you want to view the violence or not. As well, the distance that the woman travels after being hit by the car was very far, and somewhat unrealistic.

3. What classifies your choice as either justifiable or gratuitous? Explain your reasoning.

I do not feel that the scene is overly gratuitous. It is slightly overdone, and the fact that you are not given enough time to make the decision of watching it or not makes it gratuitous. As well, the woman had just helped someone, and she was rewarded by being hit by a car. I feel that the circumstances make it more gratuitous. If it had been an antagonist being hit by a car I think that the reaction from people may have been different, but that is obviously not the case.

4. Can anyoen view this image, or is it controlled by a rating? Do you agree with the availability of this text? Can children view this text?

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated this film R, meaning that children under 17 are able to view this film with the accompaniment of either a parent or an adult guardian. This means that it is possible under certain circumstances, for a child of any age to see this film. I do not feel that it is appropriate for anyone under about 16, not only due to the graphic violence scenes, but the fact that the plot is simply too complex for them to grasp.

5. What is your personal reaction to this piece of media?

My personal reaction to this piece of media is that it is over the top. Although it does get a "how did they do it" reaction, and it does entertain, I feel they could have accomplished the same thing by changing this particular scene. I kinow that other people probably have a different opinion about the scene, but I feel that it is gratuitous. I am not usually someone who is affected by violencce scenes, but this particular one did make me turn away. Within the few minutes of getting to know the character, you feel pathos for her because she decides to help a father looking for his daughter's killer even though she has her own family at home to protect. You are made aware of the risks she is taking to do something good for someone else. I do not feel that killing her was necessary, or at least not the method and graphicness used.

Task Five: Course Evaluation

Taking this course was something I will never regret. EMS 3O has helped me create my own opinion of media. It has made me aware of many different aspects that I otherwise would never have known about. I now have the ability to critique many different forms of media, and I have the knowledge to do so in a precise and correct way. I liked how the course changed to fit what the media is giving us right now, and how current it really is. I enjoyed how we had the opportunity to use many of our personal influences and things we can relate to, rather than having something specifically given to us to use as material. Never once was I bored from our lessons, and I was always eager to learn something else I could apply at home, whether it was critiquing and movie or simply understanding why a commercial was made a certain way. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to be creative, and learn about the world we are living in and experiencing right now.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #3: I Am Sam

This movie is about a mentally disabled father, fighting for his right to keep his child. Along the way he affects many lives, including that of a mother who is a lawyer, who is too preoccupied with her job to truly see what she has right at home. This film was directed by Jessie Nelson, and was released on January 25th, 2002. Main actors are Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, and Dianne Wiest.

I love this movie because of the raw emotion it evokes. The movie is simply about the unconditional love between Sam and his daughter Lucy. The life lessons shown in this movie are great as well, as Sam shows his lawyer, Rita Williams, what priorities truly are important in life. Of course, the acting is phenomenal, with Sean Penn’s portrayal of a mentally challenged father. As well, the underlying theme of The Beatles in this film really hits home, as they have been extremely important in my life since a very young age. I think it’s impossible to watch this film without it stirring emotion, and it really puts your entire life into perspective and makes you very thankful for everything you have every single time you watch it. Because in the end, “all you need is love”.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #2: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

This movie is one of four, and is about an archaeologist who doubles as an adventure seeking, trouble finding man hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis’ find it first. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was directed by Steven Spielberg, and released on June 12th, 1981. The main actors include Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and Ronald Lacey.

Although I love every single Indiana Jones film, this was always my favourite. I was introduced to these movies by my father, and they were always ones that we could agree on to watch. I love the nature of the film; adventurous and humorous. I have always been a fan of Harrison Ford, and these movies are exactly why. These were some of the first action films I had seen, and they will always stick as some of my favourites. I love “Indiana” Jones’ determination, values, and personality, and I feel that they all are equally a part of making such an important character in movie history.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #1: Chicago

This movie is about a woman named Roxie Hart, who wanted to make it big on stage but ended up making it big behind bars after murdering her lover. Using comedy and catchy tracks, it goes through the ups and downs of her rise to stardom. Chicago was directed by Rob Marshall, and released on February 7th, 2003. Main actors included Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly.

Although a strange pick, I really enjoy this movie. This is the movie that got me really into musicals. I think the acting is fantastic, and all of the actors portrayed their characters wonderfully. As well, their dancing and acting skills were very surprising. I loved the comedy spread throughout the film, and the ups and downs all of the characters experienced. Although I would have to say the soundtrack was my ultimate favourite aspect of the film. Every single song was catchy and suitable in its own way. Some were explosive; with fast beats and even faster dance moves, and others were slow and seductive, both in lyrics and performance. As well, every costume in the film was fitting. Many were extravagant and flashy, while others were properly dull. I personally think the entire movie is exciting and a great watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBM82Ju2kJU&feature=related

Task Three: Advertising and Me

Adidas Soccer

The ad techniques used in this commercial for Adidas are excitement and star power. This commercial shows two children who decide to create star soccer teams to play each other. The excitement for these kids in playing a soccer match with professional soccer players is immense. They live in an underdeveloped country, and the likelihood of this actually happening is slim to none. The catch phrase for Adidas is “Impossible is Nothing”, and they are showing this through their unlikely soccer match. The boys chose various players like Kaka, Beckham and many others. By having all of these big names and faces from many different teams and countries in this commercial, they are making sure that there is a player there for anyone.

This commercial is part of something very important in my life. I have played soccer for thirteen years, and it has become one of the most important things in my life. Although I do not follow professional soccer as much as other people do, just seeing a commercial solely about soccer was very exciting. As well, Adidas has always been my favourite athletic brand, so having this commercial come from them was also a very nice thing to see. They are promoting imagination, physical activity, and especially soccer all in one commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW16tXP9JHA

Task Three: Advertising and Me

BCSPCA and Sarah McLachlan

The ad techniques used in this ad are heart strings and star power. This commercial uses the faces of innocent, sad looking animals to get your emotions invested in the ad. They use slow transitions and slow sad music to help this technique work. Anyone who watches this commercial will feel sympathy for the poor animals shown in it, and will then continue to watch the commercial to see what they can do to help stop this. In this commercial they used Sarah McLachlan’s song In the Arms of An Angel. This is a very moving and emotional song, and works very well with the transitions and mood of the entire commercial. As well, at the end Sarah McLachlan makes an appearance, shows her support for the foundation and asks that you do the same. This works because they are showing someone of importance associating themselves with this cause, making you more likely to do the same.

This commercial for the BCSPCA has helped shape my life. I have always loved animals, but commercials like these help me keep my passion for helping them going. My family and I have adopted two cats from the humane society, one having been very close to not finding a home. The SPCA gives people who love animals an outlet to help them, and make all of their efforts the most useful that they possibly can be. This foundation is all about helping animals, and giving them a second chance that they otherwise wouldn’t get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc&feature=related