Reality TV- Textual Analysis

1a. How is Ben the contestant being represented?

Ben is shown as an inferior character in the big brother house as he’s being controlled by an object – the temptation tree. Ben’s style of talking and questioning portrays him “stupid”. Notice that “temptation tree” takes his time to respond back which suggests that he’s/she’s shocked by the questions being asked. Secondly I believe he’s a gentle character as he obeys the commands said by the tree by saying “fine”. Ben fails his attempt to be argumentive as the “object” has the authority to make him “shut up”. During the course of the scene a couple of shots zoom into Ben’s face which shows how intense the moment is plus his facial expression (trying to concentrate on what the “object” is saying). He’s representing alternative ideology as a man is supposed to be strong and masculine however Ben isn’t.

1b. how is the temptation tree represented?

The tree is represented dominant; we know this by the commands which are given and the way which Ben responds. The commands and the way the tree talks to Ben can be thought that’s the tree is not only evil but also a bully as Ben is forced to do things which he doesn’t want to. Its very unusual to see a tree have so much control over humans which makes this matter even more confusing as a tree isn’t capable of harming or doing anything to Ben expect talking. At this point the audience are wondering why Ben doesn’t take any action against the tree.  

1c. how does the Game Show use Media Language to ENGAGE the Target Audience?

Fans who love their celebs will be interested in this show, as they see their role models, actors etc, taking on and completing risky tasks. To begin, in this scene the camera is continuously following the celeb which makes the audience feel that their part of the game as they’re and allows them to view all the difficulties during the journey which builds the excitement as well as attention. The diagetic sounds of the protagonists breathing is exaggerated by increasing the volume of sound which makes the audience think something’s wrong, building excitement. Also notice that towards the end, when the amount of time left is very little, the pacing increases and we see quick cuts. The purpose of this is to build tension and suspense to whether the person will complete the task on time.

1d. which codes and conventions of the GENRE are present in this clip?

As soon as the scene begins the audience is informed that characters are in a interview process. This allows the audience to see the inner side of the story and they also gain a depth of information about the character.  During the course of the scenes we hear a voice over – the narrator is guiding the audience through the story.

Secondly we see a switch of location which suggests that changes are taking place, wives have been swapped and so have the roles. During their chores the characters communicate with the camera, at this point the audience feel important as they’re being directly spoken to and no-one else is in the room.

1e.Which Reality TV Conventions are present in this Advert

YouTube is a world known social networking site. This makes it easier for the producers to communicate with their audience who will soon become producers of the TV show – they will be performing and engaging all the viewers to watch their talents. this is one of the new media technologies that have been introduced and due to the popularity of E-media people are likely to use it.

Towards the end of the advert one of the characters is talking directing at the camera and pointing at it – the effect of the pointing makes every individual think that this advert is targeted at them and if they have talents they should upload their videos on YouTube. Another benefit of having online access is that it’s easy and time effective.

2. Now consider the narrative on a reality show featuring the police.

Police is one of the formal social institution in the society, who have the responsibly of taking care of their citizens. This is representing dominant ideology as they’re role is suppose to benefit everyone whereas criminals are seen as alternatively ideology because their disrupt peace through their activities e.g. theft.

 Never the less this ideology could be reverse as we do see some police officers who forget their duty and take advantage of their superior status and authority. And we do see some responsible citizens who prevent crime through the socialisation at home – family is an informal social institution however has the ability of resticing members of the family doing the wrong actions.  

The footage taken by the police or CCTV can be beneficial for the producers as they can mediate this information and give it to the audience. Hence the audience is likeier to believe it as its involving a powerful institution. – Crime scene investigation

3. What is the future of reality TV programmes? Will they survive and if so in what format and on what platform?

Over recent years reality TV programmes have become more common. This is because the audience is getting bored of viewing the same storyline and any other soap opera.  I believe that reality TV programmes are likely to be successful in future just like they are today. This is because we offer our audience something new in every programme. Also most realty TV shows include commoners, this is a huge factor which motivates the audience to watch shows because they fell equal to the characters hence they can relate their life to what’s been presented on TV.  

Rich examples of reality TV shows; Britain’s got talent, Big Brother, X-Factor

Textual Analysis – Slum dog Millionaire

1. Media Forms:
What techniques does the trailer use to persuade its audience to see the film?

This trailer wasn’t based so much on the scenes but the reviews. Certain words which reflect power are written in bold to make them attractive to the audience and so that they focus on the purpose. One of the first reviews was “winner of the people’s choice”, immediately the public vote suggests that Slum Dog Millionaire is a good film. As a result the audience who haven’t yet seen the film feel encouraged to go as it’s seen as a mainstream movie. The second review mentioned the famous cite of Toronto, at this point the advert is most appealing to the people who live there as they feel that this film is close to home.

During the course of the advert, the audience is informed about what this film is based upon (giving a brief of the story through the introduction of questions). Audiences can relate to this as its abit like the show deal or no deal. The producers have used the style of questioning very cleverly as they ask the audience what is it that gets Jamal malik his 20million rupees. During this period a countdown begins in the background and the audience feel they have to answer this question as it’s directed at them because the protagonist isn’t in the scene. At this point the audience feel encouraged to go and watch the movie as its challenging the audience and making them think.

Notice that there are quick-cuts and the pace of the advert fasten towards the end. The purpose of this is to engage the audience by switching their attention from one subject to another. This also builds the excitement within the audience as they’re impatient to know about the following scene.

2. Media Representation:
How is ethnicity represented in this trailer?

The typical stereotype of assuming that people living in India are poor because it’s a non-industrialised country hence LEDC (shown throughout the scenes of the shanty towns). However this stereotype has been challenged as a “slum dog” wins 20million rupees yet they can’t accept defeat therefore they question his ability.

Based upon the history white people are given more importance, therefore the language used in this advert is English although it’s based upon a life of an Indian. At this point white ethnic groups are shown superior to any other ones.

3. Media Audiences:
Who is target audience and how does the advert attempt to persuade this audience to watch the film?

Unlike most mainstream film this film features unknown actors/characters which make the advert appealing to commoners as they feel equal. On the other hand people who are unaware of what it’s like living in Slums (mainly the upper class or people living in foreign countries) are being informed of their lifestyle- films based on personal experiences therefore we could argue that it’s a documentary rather than movie for entertainment.

The protagonist is a young adult who’s presenting his talent on screen. This suggests that people around his age will be encouraged to watch the film as they feel inspired which will not only motivate the audience to do well in life and move from being a slum dog to a millionaire.  Not forgetting that Jamal’s childhood memories are shown in the advert which will be appealing to children as their childhood was much privileged than Jamal’s which will persuade them to view another lifestyle of the audiences age.

4. Media Institutions:
What is communicated about the institution?

At the beginning of the trailer we are introduced to four different institutions. This suggests that the film has great Hollywood values as well as being a high budget film who can afford to present themselves in four well known institutions.

Textual Analysis HW: Lynx Dry Advert

Textual Analysis HW: Lynx Dry Advert

How does the text follow the codes and convention of an advert?

The voice over used in this advert was a technique used to pass the message across as well as attracting the primary audience. “Girls only like dry guys” this portrays women in a superior position as this advert is based upon the needs and wants of women which our protagonist has to fulfil.

How are people and places represented in this advert?

The protagonists (the boy) is brutally dragged along the streets, at first the audience is just as confused as the person in the advert because we don’t’ know where the rope has come from. Later on we discover that there’s to girls in the sea however after we release that those girls are mermaids. At the protagonists is given less importance as he’s being controlled by girls. This represents the subordinate ideology which is shown superior in this advert.

What techniques does the advert use to appeal to its target audience?

Towards the end we hear a voice over which favours the women, suggesting that if you buy Lynx immediately you’re more likely to attract women. At this point the boys will feel motivated to buy the aftershave as they feel it will not just make them smell good but present them in a way which will attract women or mermaids. In late 1900 this was never the case, men would never make an effort to impress women however now that it’s happening its suggesting that men and women have both become equally important to both genders.

What does this text tell us about the media institutions involved?

Uri lever is the institution involved in this advert, they are the present organisation which suggests their ideas and thoughts are based upon the modern society today rather than 50years ago. In addition the institution is new which means it will include the typically norms and values for a women today which is to go out, work and keep men under control (well most of them anyway).

Audiences are no longer just consumers of texts, but producers too" - To what extent is this true of the media products in your case study?

Audiences are no longer just consumers of texts, but producers too" - To what extent is this true of the media products in your case study?

My case study is based upon British soap operas, and the two soaps I studied were Eastenders and Coronation Street. Relating back to these soaps I believe that audience today has become the consumer and producer of media texts. The reason being is because all soaps are based upon real life stories, suggesting that were watching our audience’s lifestyle on screen which makes them the producers of the text. Furthermore as the text is being delivered to the audience they become consumers as well as viewers who contribute towards the success of the soap (the greater the audience the bigger the response). In addition I agree to a certain extent that audience is the consumers and producers of the text.

Eastenders;

How has Eastenders official website engaged their audience?

The official website offers the audience games; quiz’s and allows them to summit their views. The purpose of this is to invlove the audeince and makes them feel worthwhile to the show itself. Games and quiz’s are targeted at teenagers as it will help attract the as they’re gaining entertainment as well as understanding of the Eastenders programme, hence Eastenders will gain more viewers.

Eastenders audience also gain the opportunity to vote their views. This creates a positive image of the producers as they are offering their audience a chance to put their ideas and choice forward. Eventually the audience will start favouring Eastenders before soap because the producers give viewers importance. This will encourage the audience to go and use the official site on E media as they have more things to do online rather than sitting in front of a TV.

The producers have also given a brief of the next episode which will attract fans and viewers who are impatient to gain information about the following scene. This makes them exclusive in terms of information as “broad viewers” are incapable of gaining this information about the next scene.

Eastenders article has been introduced which will target those members who are incapable of viewing the show either on TV or BBC iplayer. At this point the print text has been created for the audience. BBC Iplayer is an e media form which was introduced to target those members who don’t have access to the TV.

Coronation Street;

Coronation Street isn’t part if a non-commercial channel, it’s presented on ITV. Their official website is also available online which helps the producers gain more viewers and fans (it’s very similar to the website of Eastenders). Comparing both websites I believe that coronation street has a better and friendly layout. This is motivate the audience to go and use the website as again the producers are offering more things to do as well as making the website easy to use. At this point the audience becomes the consumers because they absorb the information by going online.

To begin with a blog has been created for the audience to participate and share their thoughts.  Again the purpose of this is to involve the audience and help the producers improve upon their mistakes based upon the feedback. Hence fans can look at other people’s comments and build their communication and well as information’s about the soap. This has portrayed the audience as producers as their view is taken into account, and their given the dominant role of controlling what’s happening in the upcoming scenes.

The website also offers games which gives the bored, entertainment. The audience have a variety of 3 games which means that teenagers are likely to favour them. This may be one of the reasons why public watches their episodes on e media rather than broad because it offers a larger variety to do and information.

The audience can also view the different storylines, episodes they need to catch up on, coming up shows plus corrie extra. All these features will attract the audience as they feel satisfied with the service provided by the producers. This is put the producers on the positive side of the audience which will be beneficial in the long term while persuading. Now the audience is illustrated to be the consumers as all this data that’s been produced and presented (notice the costs and how time consuming it must be) is for the audience to watch.

Just like the Eastenders viewers can watch their episodes on BBC iplayer, fans from coronation street can also watch their shows on ITV iplayer which makes them both good in terms to keeping their audience up to date and supplying them with the scenes audience has missed or want to watch repeatedly. This will satisfy the audience as they’re needs and wants are have been met by the producers.

However both websites are very similar which makes them less attractive to the audience as they feel that nothing’s exclusive. These factors will discourage the audience to use e media as the audience will view the same things over and over again. Hence for elderly people who have less understanding of how to use the internet, they will prefer using the broad for entertainment. This will reduce the E media users and viewers and favour the traditional way rather than the modern. In addition i believe that teenagers and young adults are targeted by E media as they can respond to the developing technology and appreciate what’s been done.