Answers Enabled: 2012

Monday 5 November 2012

Assassin's Creed; Brotherhood

Which formats were they released in?
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a historical action-adventure open world stealth video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November 2010, Microsoft Windows in March 2011 and Mac OS X in May 2011.

Amount of games sold;
The game passed the one million sales mark in less than a week after its release. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood has become Ubisoft's fastest-selling European title ever. It also had the best Ubisoft's launch in Europe and is the best-selling launch title ever as of November 2010. As of May 2011, Ubisoft announced the game had shipped 8 million copies and helped the entire Assassin's Creed series to achieve over 28 million units sold.

The amount of money made from the games;
Computer games in general made 1.93 billion in 2011, making them bigger than cinema, music ect.


Monday 8 October 2012

Representing Class and Status

   The clip starts by the slaves walking in wearing nothing but simple ponchos, they are surrounded by guards and other slaves. Although the slaves are not physically bound, they have no other choice  but to follow.  There simplicity contrasts to the guards, who are wearing intricate armour and are carrying weapons. This shows the contrast between class and status as the slaves are portrayed to be plain and simple, where as the guards are clearly shown to be in  charge. This is backed up by the back drop, the slaves are surrounded by plain and simple colours. Again, adding to the contrast between them and the guards.
   When the slaves are lead into the box, they are often shown from a high angle shot showing they are weak and powerless, a lower class than the guards. This is then reinforced by the fact that the royal family are sat directly opposite, but above them, at a much higher level, surrounded by bright colours and luxuries. This is a contrast and makes sure the audience are aware, that the royals are physically and socially higher than the slaves. When we see the royals, there is always a low camera angle, showing superiority over the slaves and contrasting them. The only times the royals are shown from a high angle, is when a over the shoulder shot it used, to show them physically ,looking down upon the slaves. Therefore, depicting the slaves to be disposable and unimportant. The shot lookign out of the box, shows a marxist view of society in roman times, and too an extent now, with the hierarchy of lower, middle and upper class, in a pyramid form, with of course, upper class at the top.
    The music throughout the clip adds to what is happening on screen. When the slaves are lead into the box the music is slow and somber, signifying oppression from the upper class, of the lower, and showing how their life now, is a miserable existance. This is oppossed to when the royals are show, as the music has a quicker tempo, with a more bouncy feel to it, again contrasting with the miserable lower class, and the luxurious life of the upper class.
    When the slaves are sat in the box there are quick transitions of shots showing the four men. This creates a tense atmosphere and shows the audience, that not only is there tension between the classes but also within.  When the second pair are fighting,  again the camera angles quickly change. It is edited like this to add emphasis on the fight, and again create tension between the classes, and show how little the upper class value their lives. Also, the are a lot of shots looking up at the black man, showing his superiority over the protagonist. This is the subverted as when he disobeys, and is killed, he is shown from a high angle shot, showing how, although he was superior in the fight, he is inferior in regard to the upper class.
    The shot when the second pair are in the box watching the first pair fight is very dramatic. Using a point of view shot to watch the first pair fight, shows us how big the gap actually is between the classes. They are treated like animals, by the upper class and shows the little control the lower class actually have in their own lives.


Sunday 23 September 2012

Feedback init m8.

Feedback about the below presentation from fellow peers. :)

-Very detailed, could focus more on the narrative and the representation of the characters, good use of photos and gifs. Overall an in depth analysis.

:) Good use of terminology
:) Good mix of images/gifs/videos/music/coloured text.
:( Telling him 'quote'
:) Good insight into character types/representation
:) AWESOME use of quotes!
:( Use analysis of camera shots ect?

Very detailed and covered all parts for analysis, maybe talk about camera shots of characters! Love the pics! 
Love you Frank xxxx

Like the music in the background
Good specific detail.

Ratio of text to pics
Gifs <3<3<3
Love that it's funny
Video playing- good nice touch
Informative- extensive collection of Matt Smith gifs -----> Obsessive?
Detailed
Info developed well.
I LOVE THIS
(Jacob says it's picture heavy... It's not.)

Music in the background makes it thoroughly and constantly interesting
Interesting text (and gifs)
TBH this is just very well done with excellent descriptions covering all areas.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

'Can everyone who's not an american just put there guns down!'

Representation and Themes

The Doctor Who logo appears in a metallic silver colour, to represent the Gunslinger, who is a Cyborg. Just after the episode title appears, the TARDIS materializes into a deep red coloured vortex. This could possibly be foreshadowing the theme of war, sin and the increasing amount of rage emitted by the Doctor.

The episode delves into some of the major themes of Doctor Who. The most important, of course, being the Doctor’s relationship with his companions and how they bring out the best in him, highlighted by Amy when she, surprised by the Doctor’s decision to give up Kahler-Jex says, “This is what happens when you travel alone for too long.” What was particularly powerful about how it was explored here is that Amy, the Girl Who Waited and who generally takes the tack of punishing those who wrong her was the one who reminded the Doctor of his better self.

Meanwhile, Rory, the one who is generally considered more noble was ready to turn Kahler Jex over without a second thought. The writer did a great job of showing that moral questions like this are not black and white; that even in the case of war criminals, people are multi-faceted and not all good or evil. This was summed up as Isaac lay dying after being shot by Kahler Tek. He says to the Doctor, “You’re both good men. You just forget it sometimes.” The Doctor and Kahler Jex are more alike than he would like to admit, as they both make difficult, sometimes morally dubious calls for what they consider the greater good.



There’s one line of the Doctor’s that highlights the second major theme of the episode. When Kahler Jex tries to explain himself and why he wanted to stay in Mercy to help the people there, the Doctor yells, “You don’t get to decide when and how your debt is paid!” This is true, and it’s interesting coming from the Doctor, because he spends a lot of time trying to compensate for the times when he’s made morally dubious choices by trying to Save the Universe. The entire reason why the Doctor felt the need to turn Kahler Jex over to Kahler Tek in the first place is because he himself was trying to repay a debt to all those that died because of him.

 (I'm running out of relevant gifs/pictures. But i though this was cute!)

The other thing that stood out to me with regard to the Doctor’s character is that he genuinely didn’t know what he was capable of in his Moment of Truth. When he forces Kahler Jex out of town at gunpoint, and Jex says asks if he would really shoot him, the Doctor says “I genuinely don’t know.” The Doctor uncertain is always an interesting thing, especially when it’s about himself, since he spends most of the time acting like the Cleverest Being In the Universe.


'I see keep out signs as suggestions'

Narrative Structure

This episode is in a linear format. This means, everything flows and is in chronological order, ie no flashbacks ect. Every scene is a link in the chain of events. The episode follows the basic structure of having a problem and it been solved, (enigma and resolution.)

 We join the story line when the disruption is discovered. However, there was a time when there was an equilibrium in Mercy, and there weren't any aliens, but this is not shown in the episode.
 The recognition of disruption happens almost straight away, as soon as The Doctor sees the border of sticks, and the flickering lights ect.











The majority of the episode is the Doctor attempting to repair the disruption between the Gunslinger, the habitants of Mercy and Jex. He has to work out a way to save, both Jex and the people Mercy, as they have been caught up in the conflict between Jex and the 'monster' he created. The story is a reworking of Frankenstein, in a science fiction form.

























The narrative is resolved, when Jex realises he has to pay for his crimes, and the gunslinger stays to look after the town of Mercy. This allows the Doctor to move on
      A good example of this theory is in the scene when the Doctor becomes aware of Jex's past. This then pushes him to kick Jex out of town, leaving him at the mercy of the Gunslinger. This is a problem as it questions the Doctors morals. Amy brings the doctor back to his senses, by telling him 'QUOTE.' Due to Issacs death, for taking a bullet meant for Jex, and giving the title of Marshall to the Doctor, it allows the Doctor to concentrate on the problem at hand, creating equilbrium in the form of a 'calm before the storm.'




''Actually his name is Susan, and he wants you to respect his life decisions''


Propps' Character Types Theory

''I see keep out signs as suggestions''-This shows curiosity, a trait common to all stereotypical heroes. In ways, he is the stereotypical hero- coming to the rescue in his magic blue box, being faced with a problem, overcoming the problem and inevitably saving a race.  However, the Doctor has a darker past. In this episode it is seen where he is willing to leave Khaler Jex to die, and seems to show no remorse regarding this action. If you look over previous episodes, he left his own entire race to die. Maybe this is why he has tried to become the stereotypical hero? He can also be seen as clumsy at times throughout the episode which isn't a common attribute for stereotypical heroes. This is, on a smaller scale, a way of showing how the Doctor is an unconventional hero.
 


   Stereotypically, Amy would play the role of the ''damsel in distress'' However most of the roles in Doctor Who are subverted, including this one. A lot of the time in this episode Amy shows hero characteristics. She occasionally tells the doctor what to do, and show him when he is wrong. In this particular episode, and many others, she aims a gun at the doctor, forcing him to make the right decision, in her eyes, she is a moral balance for the Doctor. She is constantly having to help the doctor in the episode. So much so, that when The Doctor is made Marshall of Mercy, he designates her the role of his deputy.

Amy and Rory's roles also become reversed, and you can see Amy definitely subverts the masculine/feminine roles. Amy has the power in the relationship, and usually 'saves the day.' Whilst Rory plays a more submissive role. In a previous episode, Amy wields a gun (a phallic symbol) and Rory carries a nursing/first aid kit, a stereotypical feminine thing to carry.
 
When we first see Khaler Tek (The Gun Slinger) we assume he's the villain. 'I mean, he must be, look at that giant laser gun thing he has, that's pretty threatening.' He shows all the characteristics of a stereotypical villain, he is portrayed to be a ruthless killing machine. Then we meet Khaler Jex, ('The Doctor'), he's protrayed to be a sort of  hero, staying as their doctor when he crashed his ship, and saving the people of Mercy from cholera. He looks happy, and jolly, and innocent.
     













However, as the episode goes on the roles reverse in a way, and we realize that in fact, it is Jex, who is the ruthless killing machine, and The Gunslinger just wants justice for what Jex did to him. Also, right at the end of the episode, both Jex and the Gunslinger, have an epiphany, if you will. Jex realizes how he has wronged the Gun Slinger, and thousands of others. The Gun Slinger then stays at Mercy, watching over the people, as a guardian angel. Therefore, both Jex and Tek, show characteristics of a villain, and of a hero.                                                                           

     










Overall, in this episode, there are no clearly defined character types. All charcters swap back and forth between protagonist and antagonist. Even characters that aren't seen as often, with lesser roles in the episode, show both good and dark sides. To finish off this section, have a picture of Rory in his pants.








Monday 17 September 2012

Watch Doctor who for my media homework...




I'll stop spamming you now with Matt Smith gifs now Mr Croft, be aware, i have 100's of them...

Primeval Clip Analysis

  The woman wearing the leather jacket is seen as the hero throughout this clip, especially in this first scene. This is a contrast to the stereotypical behaviour of a woman and therefore subverts it. The fact we first see her using heavy machienery, instantly shows us she is represented in a masculine way.  When the tiger attacks the man, we see her from a low angle, implying the superiority over not only the tiger, but the man being attacked. Her costume also shows her character is subverted, as the jean/leather jacket look, is traditionally worn by action heroes, such as Jason Bourne.
  This is contrasted by the woman at the end of the clip, who fits the stereotype of a woman completely. She is portrayed as manipulative and materialistic. This is shown when she says 'That was my best coat!' for example, after she has had a near death experience. Her costume is also completely different to that of Abbie's,  and is dressed in a silky black dress and a frilly coat, implying she is very concerned with her appearance, once again fitting the stereotype of a woman. The camera angle is also a high angle, showing us she is inferior, this could be because she is the stereotypical woman, and they are seen as inferior to the heroic men.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Rrrrrrrrepresentation

Why represent the police this way?
-to establish  distinction between them and citizens.
-makes them look intimidating
-seen  faceless, like cyber men.
-shows brutality.

Why represent the immigrant workers in this way?
-deep purple uniforms represent the danger they're in
-to create sympathy and worry for them, to identify ith hir fear, panic, injustice and loss.

What stereotypes are being adhered to or subverted?
Police-usually seen as protectors of society here shere hey r seen as destroyers of peoples lives. they re presented anon chalant.
Immigrants- usually stereotyped as unclean, de-humanised eect. Where as in this, they attempt to deconstruct tis treotype.
Adam- religious, trained doctor.
Ibrahim- treated incredibly roughly without provocation.

What is the purpose behind the mdiaation o his text.
To entertain people
Inform
Challenge preconceptions

Wednesday 5 September 2012

Representation in a clip froma drama.

The police and imigration officers enter the building are shown in a threatening way that 'means business', by walking in formation quickly towards the front desk. The police officer waiting on the front door to the hotel crosses his arms, showing that he is strong and committed to his job, as crossing arms is a closed body posture.
The blonde woman at the front desk, represents a stereotypical blonde. Working at the desk to attract visitors. However, this is then, in my opinion, disregarded by the way she speaks and her 'posh' accent. When Ben is asked to 'take the papers down to housekeeping' his entire surroundings almost are red. The red represents the danger that the audience are about to see, due to the employment of the immigrant workers. The colour red then occurs in ever scene, (including the words 'staff only' on the door to the room the workers hide in) to again represent the danger. When Jackie is telling the workers what is happening, she is rushing round, flapping her arms around, to symbolize her worry and the urgency of the matter in hand. The main representation in this clip, is the use of the colour red through out the hotel, to represent the danger and worry, as i said earlier.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Hello, and welcome to Media!


Media Studies, is a different environment to any lesson i've been in before.
The atmosphere is easy, and comfortable to work in. I like that.
I was pushed to answer questions further than I usually would, forcing me to engage my brain without purely going through the motions, and the fact Mr Croft told us a true story about students and the way they learn enabled me to understand how much more useful the 'harder' method of learning is.
I enjoyed how when talking about what 'clever' means I was able to have open discussion, with both Mr Croft and my fellow students.
Overall, I thoroughly look forward to the challenges, and hands on approach Mr Croft, and Media Studies itself will present me with.