Self assessment

Peer Assessment Question 1b Portfolio

Question/Theory: Genre
Student name: Nathan Erinle

MEG:                      Working at Grade:
List theorists & theories referenced:

1 Levi-Strauss

2Barthes

3Propp

4 Domaille

5
List terminology words: binary opposition
Etherior structure
All of the 5 Narrative codes
Antagonist
Protagonist
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Stock
Faust

Level Description Ref no Grade Agree?
Level 1: Outlines or describes 1 theorist with little reference to own production, and is under 250 words (1 side handwritten A4) U Yes
Level 2 lower: Introduces and describes 2-3 relevant theories using some correct terminology/theorists E Yes
Level 2 mid: Provides some examples but inconsistently and/or lacks correct explanation of how it applies E/D- Yes
Level 2 higher: Provides a maximum of 2 theories and introduces correctly in some depth and with some reference to own production D Yes
Level 3 lower: The essay uses paragraphs and full sentences, there are minimal errors in grammar or spelling C- Yes
Level 3 lower: Gives specific textual examples from own production of how 3-4 theories can be applied C Yes
Level 3 mid: Explains why or how it is relevant or significant to own production rather than explaining the theory C/B- No
Level 3 higher: Discusses how the theory is or is not applicable and gives reasons to justify, possibly referring to existing media or creative intentions B No
Level 3 higher: Consistently analyses how the theoretical approach creates significance or meaning B+ Yes

Level 4: Evaluates the extent that 4 or more theories are applicable, with justification in relation to creative intentions A
Level 4: Confidently justifies argument with detailed textual examples from the production and conventions of existing media it is based on A
Level 4: There are no or minimal grammatical or spelling errors and terminology is used confidently, regularly and correctly A

What are the 3 priority targets to secure the grade or move to a higher level
1. Application of theory and analysis

2. Use of examples


3. Use of terminology








Question/Theory:
Narrative Student name:

MEG:                      Working at Grade:
List theorists & theories referenced:

1 Todorov 3 act structure

2 Levi Strauss Binary Opposition

3  Barthes Enigma Code

4 Propp Archetypes

5
List terminology words: equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Stock
Binary opposition
Connote
Systematic opposition
Phallic
Represent
Resolution
Enigmatic
Archetype
Cliché


Level Description Ref no Grade Agree?
Level 1: Outlines or describes 1 theorist with little reference to own production, and is under 250 words (1 side handwritten A4) U Yes
Level 2 lower: Introduces and describes 2-3 relevant theories using some correct terminology/theorists E Yes
Level 2 mid: Provides some examples but inconsistently and/or lacks correct explanation of how it applies E/D- Yes
Level 2 higher: Provides a maximum of 2 theories and introduces correctly in some depth and with some reference to own production D Yes
Level 3 lower: The essay uses paragraphs and full sentences, there are minimal errors in grammar or spelling C- Yes
Level 3 lower: Gives specific textual examples from own production of how 3-4 theories can be applied C Yes
Level 3 mid: Explains why or how it is relevant or significant to own production rather than explaining the theory C/B- Yes
Level 3 higher: Discusses how the theory is or is not applicable and gives reasons to justify, possibly referring to existing media or creative intentions B Yes
Level 3 higher: Consistently analyses how the theoretical approach creates significance or meaning B+ No

Level 4: Evaluates the extent that 4 or more theories are applicable, with justification in relation to creative intentions A no
Level 4: Confidently justifies argument with detailed textual examples from the production and conventions of existing media it is based on A yes
Level 4: There are no or minimal grammatical or spelling errors and terminology is used confidently, regularly and correctly A no

What are the 3 priority targets to secure the grade or move to a higher level
1. Application of theory and analysis

2. Use of examples


3. Use of terminology










Question/Theory:
Student name:

MEG:                      Working at Grade:
List theorists & theories referenced:

1 Sarah Dobbs Feminism

2 Carol Clover Final Girl Theory

3 Laura Mulvey Male Gaze

4

5
List terminology words:
Hegemony
Stock scenes
Camera cuts
Enigma code
Masculinised
Sexualised
Perspective
Voyeurism


Level Description Ref no Grade Agree?
Level 1: Outlines or describes 1 theorist with little reference to own production, and is under 250 words (1 side handwritten A4) U Yes
Level 2 lower: Introduces and describes 2-3 relevant theories using some correct terminology/theorists E Yes
Level 2 mid: Provides some examples but inconsistently and/or lacks correct explanation of how it applies E/D- Yes
Level 2 higher: Provides a maximum of 2 theories and introduces correctly in some depth and with some reference to own production D Yes
Level 3 lower: The essay uses paragraphs and full sentences, there are minimal errors in grammar or spelling C- Yes
Level 3 lower: Gives specific textual examples from own production of how 3-4 theories can be applied C Yes
Level 3 mid: Explains why or how it is relevant or significant to own production rather than explaining the theory C/B- Yes
Level 3 higher: Discusses how the theory is or is not applicable and gives reasons to justify, possibly referring to existing media or creative intentions B No
Level 3 higher: Consistently analyses how the theoretical approach creates significance or meaning B+ No

Level 4: Evaluates the extent that 4 or more theories are applicable, with justification in relation to creative intentions A no
Level 4: Confidently justifies argument with detailed textual examples from the production and conventions of existing media it is based on A no
Level 4: There are no or minimal grammatical or spelling errors and terminology is used confidently, regularly and correctly A yes

What are the 3 priority targets to secure the grade or move to a higher level
1. Application of theory and analysis

2. Use of examples


3. Use of terminology











Question/Theory:
Student name:

MEG:                      Working at Grade:
List theorists & theories referenced:

1 hypodermic model

2 reception theory Stuart Hall

3 Bulmer and Katz uses and gratification

4 copy cat theory

5
List terminology words: consumer
Audience
Passive and active
Mass audience
Institution
Hypodermic model
Reception
Coded and decoded
Personal social integrative
Tension free needs
Cognitive needs
Copycat

Level Description Ref no Grade Agree?
Level 1: Outlines or describes 1 theorist with little reference to own production, and is under 250 words (1 side handwritten A4) U Yes
Level 2 lower: Introduces and describes 2-3 relevant theories using some correct terminology/theorists E Yes
Level 2 mid: Provides some examples but inconsistently and/or lacks correct explanation of how it applies E/D- Yes
Level 2 higher: Provides a maximum of 2 theories and introduces correctly in some depth and with some reference to own production D Yes
Level 3 lower: The essay uses paragraphs and full sentences, there are minimal errors in grammar or spelling C- Yes
Level 3 lower: Gives specific textual examples from own production of how 3-4 theories can be applied C Yes
Level 3 mid: Explains why or how it is relevant or significant to own production rather than explaining the theory C/B- Yes
Level 3 higher: Discusses how the theory is or is not applicable and gives reasons to justify, possibly referring to existing media or creative intentions B No
Level 3 higher: Consistently analyses how the theoretical approach creates significance or meaning B+ No

Level 4: Evaluates the extent that 4 or more theories are applicable, with justification in relation to creative intentions A no
Level 4: Confidently justifies argument with detailed textual examples from the production and conventions of existing media it is based on A no
Level 4: There are no or minimal grammatical or spelling errors and terminology is used confidently, regularly and correctly A no

What are the 3 priority targets to secure the grade or move to a higher level
1. Application of theory and analysis

2. Use of examples


3. Use of terminology

Audience essay

Audiences are the people that consume media on a regular basis. This makes it easier for the institutions that create the media to correctly direct their content towards their target audiences and associate them with symbolic codes. The audience themselves understand and consume the media to a different level from each other due to their backgrounds and how they've seen the world. My trailer is seen to incorporate the copycat theory into the contents. Media can be interpreted differently by audiences. But there are two main audience theories that are mainly recognised: Mass Audience (Passive) and Active Audience. Mass audience theorists believe that media is dangerous as it could influence people to do dangerous things, and that everyone will react in the same way to media text. Active audience theorists believe that we as individuals interpret media texts in different ways. They see media texts as polysemic (open to interpretation) and try to understand why audiences may respond differently to the same media text. John Hartley said "Institutions are obliged not only to speak about audience, but crucially talk to one as well. They need not only to represent audience, but to enter a relation with them". 

The hypodermic model is a theory that addresses how the media really effects you psychologically and gets under your skin. The effects model is on how the consumption of media texts has an influence on the audience in a negative way, due to the fact that the audience is positive and it is the power within the message that has an effect on the audience's mind. The hypodermic model is how the message is injected into the audience via powerful, syringe-like media text, and the audience is powerless to resist this as the media works like a drug, numbing the audience. This type of media is one that habitually blames the effect of media for why there is so much violence in today's society. This is a passive theory as the media has no power over what is being done to them, and the text is slowly numbing their beliefs like drug. 

The reception theory focuses on how text is coded and decoded by the audience. This theory was created by Stuart Hall and analyses the relationship between producer and audience. Text can be dominated, meaning that the audience responds in the way the producer wants them to; text can be negotiated, meaning that the audience accepts or rejects the elements of the text; and opposed, meaning the dominant meaning in the text can be recognised by the audience but rejected as well. This theory is an active theory because the audience has the power of choice on how they consume the text and it doesn't affect their ideologies. 

The uses and gratification theory was developed by Bulmer and Katz and is about how audience consumption is based on highly active audience choices & personal preferences. Individuals have different uses for different texts, and used it to their advantage in order to meet needs. Cognitive needs was basic use of media in terms of surveillance, such as news or magazines, and was used for people's affective needs. Personal intergratived needs were how the audience used the things they see in media to change their lifestyle to meet the norms of society. Social intergrative needs let the audience know what our friends are up to, so they don't feel out of place. Tension free needs, used for escapism, was used for people to have a safe haven from reality and escape from the boring cycle of life, e.g. The violence in horrors used to satisfy their adrenaline as their day to day life had no action whatsoever. This can be associated with by trailer as most of the stock scenes have the killer strangling, stabbing, or chasing people, giving the audience a tang of fear and excite. 

The copycat theory is a theory on why audiences too young to comprehend the gravity of their actions copy what they see in movies. This is mainly directed at content too graphic for younger viewers, such as horror movies and children, because they have a tendency to copy what they see, so if they're seeing in Scream that someone is being stabbed repeatedly they'll believe it to be okay and practise it in real life. This theory is relevant to my trailer because there are stock scenes which have characters being stabbed and strangled. This is a passive theory as the audience has not fully comprehended the gravity of the content and has subconsciously thought it is okay to do it. 

Representation essay

Stereotypes act as guidelines on how we should and should not act.
Teen stereotypes is a theory created by Clover, and is based on hegemony in society, and that if teens act a certain way in society, I.e. The jock and slut - in horrors they'd be punished for being rebellious against the ideas that are set by the dominant group in society (Adults), and the characters purest of heart, usually the final girl or a nerdy character, is always the one most likely to survive because they don't rebel like the other stereotypes. In my trailer the stereotypes used are the jock, the fool and the final girl. The fool is portrayed as the joker of the stereotypes and usually makes cliche remarks about death, like mine did in my trailer, and usually ends up being one of the first to die like mine was. The jock in my trailer was portrayed as being smooth, laid back, overconfident and self-centred, and due to these negative qualities he was punished (killed) by the adult killer. The final girl was portrayed as innocent but attractive, not quite rebellious, is female and is the last to survive out of the stock characters. After the camera cuts from her screaming the trailer ends to give the stock scene an enigma code as you cannot show the final girl dying otherwise it would ruin the convention of her not dying. 

The representation of feminism is a theory created by Sarah Dobbs and is about men in horror movies being misogynistic and treating women as mere decorative objects and disposable victims. An example of this in my trailer is when the Antagonist chased the final girl and catches up to her. In the scene it is almost as if she is some sort of prey and the killer is hunting her like it's some sort of perverted game of 'it'. This very significant as women are only seen as tools of pleasure and entertainment and have nothing to gain from being what they are portrayed as. 

The final girl theory was thought by Carol Clover and refers to the last female alive in the movie left to confront the killer. She is typically virginal and masculinised and sexualised even though she's innocent. She is portrayed as the 'investigating consciousness' of the movie and is there to help move the narrative forward, exhibiting intelligence, curiosity and vigilance. The point of view is usually shifted to the killer's perspective to amplify the vulnerability of the Final Girl, like she's prey. An example in the trailer is when the final girl of my trailer is running away from the villain and the camera is from the killer's pint of view, and it's as if he's hunting her, but her running away is a form of resistance. This is to show that the final girl can't be punished by the adults as she's done nothing wrong.

The male gaze is a theory created by Laura Mulvey and is about sexualising women's bodies on the screen. Is all about voyeurism and the sexual gratification men achieve from this. It controls the women making them an object of gaze an example of this in my movie is when the killer stalks the final girl throughout the equilibrium. This further strengthens the thought that women are objectified and seen as tools of pleasure because the pleasure. 

Narrative essay

A narrative is defined as a chain of events in a movie leading to a cause and effect theme recurring in the movie. Narrative is how special and temporal events are organised leading from a beginning, through the middle, and to the end. The product I will discuss is my horror trailer. My trailer is a slasher, and relates more to Levi-Strauss’ Binary Opposition and Barthes’ Enigma codes.

Todorov’s theory of 3-Structure narrative does apply to my trailer. It had the equilibrium where the teenagers were introduced, and a foundation for the story was laid. The disequilibrium happened straight after the equilibrium and the villain was introduced, and he begins to stalk the protagonist like she was his prey. As we come towards the end of the trailer the stock scenes start to phase in, showing the entire cast get killed off. This trailer follows the linear structure of Todorov. In Scream you can find Todorov’s 3-act structure. The beginning has the introduction of a character, and the disequilibrium straight after with the deaths if the first two characters introduced into the movie and the introduction of the killer. The resolution n comes right at the end of the movie when Gale shoots Billy in the head. This theory is applicable because it is easy and basic to understand and is commonly used. It is relevant to the Narrative in my trailer because it follows this 3-act structure.

Levi Strauss’ Binary Opposition applies to my trailer as in the trailer at the end the final girl is chased by the antagonist. This connotes systematic opposition between good and evil, life and death, Teenage rebellion and adult society and even man and woman as the villain represents the male and the phallic object the tool of oppression of women, and the punishment teenagers must receive for disobeying their parents. An example of Binary Opposition would be in The Exorcist with the Warrens representing good/life/Religion in the movie, and the evil witch spirit representing evil/death/Witchcraft. My trailer is relevant to this theory as it incorporates the core element of binary opposition in it.

Barthes’ Enigma code is relevant in my trailer as without it my trailer would be pointless. The whole point of a horror trailer is to make it as appealing as possible without revealing too much, or the resolution. This gives the trailer an enigmatic air to it because if it is enticing enough without spilling the resolution it would entice the audience to go and watch it to find out what happens at the end. This applies to my trailer, as at the end the killer catches up to the final girl, appearing in front of her all of a sudden, with her screaming and the video cutting to black. This provides an enigma code as you do not know what happens next and it leaves an air of suspense around the trailer. This is very relevant as if the video didn’t cut to black and showed  the girl being killed then it would ruin the resolution and there would be no point going to the theatre to watch the movie.

Some of Propp’s Archetypes are applicable to my trailer. I have the villain, a common one that every horror should have, otherwise it wouldn’t be a horror, I have the virgin protagonist, I have the clown that makes a cliché comment that the event they’re going to “Won’t kill us or anything”, and the popular best friend. These archetypes are portrayed to an extent, but not to the level where you feel the characters are realistic enough, like in Scream, where Billy portrays the smooth boyfriend that wants to take his girlfriend’s virginity. The villain also doesn’t give a realistic enough performance that makes you feel the same terror the person being antagonised does.

To a fair degree, I have made use of Todorov’s 3-act structure as the trailer clearly follows the structure throughout the trailer; the theory of Levi-Strauss’ Binary Opposition is clearly met as the concepts are shown in the stock scenes; Barthes’ Enigma Code is also shown inn my trailer, as the resolution is not given away; and Propp’s archetypes, although not strongly enforced, are clearly portrayed throughout the trailer. These 4 rules of narrative are very important as without one the horror trailer would be incomplete. If you had a 3-act structure but included the resolution, then it wouldn’t be a 3-ct structure, and you’d rule the enigma code. If you only had the antagonist aimlessly killing, without any resistance from the protagonist then there would be no binary opposition, and if you didn’t follow Propps’s archetypes then there would be no plot as you would have no characters.

Genre 30 min essay