Task 1
For this task you should choose three creative Digital products which could be from a range of media e.g. TV Programme, YouTube video, Film, Advert, Graphic Design, Video Game.
Audience Reception
Hypodermic Needle Theory
Texts meaning directly consumed an believed by the audience.
No interpretation or criticism made.
Also known as hypodermic-syringe model:
Content is 'injected' into the minds of the audience.
Reception Theory
When a producer constructs a text it is encoded with a meaning or message that the producer wishes to convey to the audience.
In some instances audiences will correctly decode the message or meaning and understand what the producer was trying to say.
In some instances the audience will either reject or fail to correctly understand the message.
Uses and Gratifications
Controversially the theory suggests the consumption of violent images can be helpful rather than harmful.
The theory suggests that audiences act out their violent impulses through the consumption of media violence.
The audience’s inclination towards violence is therefore sublimated, and they are less likely to commit violent acts.
Diversion
Escapism
Information
Pleasure
Comparing relationships and lifestyles
with one’s own
Sexual stimulation
Can help with:
Learning
Emotional satisfaction
Relaxation
Help with issues of personal identity
Help with issues of social identity
Help with issues of aggression and violence
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an American adult animated science fiction sitcom.
The series follows the misadventures of cynical mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his good-hearted but fretful grandson Morty Smith, who split their time between domestic life and inter-dimensional
adventures.
The show revolves around the adventures of the members of the Smith household, which consists of parents Jerry and Beth, their children Summer and Morty, and Beth’s father, Rick Sanchez, who
lives with them as a guest. The family lives outside of Seattle in the U.S state of Washington. The adventures of Rick and Morty, however, take place across an infinite number of realities, with the
characters travelling to other plants and dimensions through portals and Rick’s flying car.
Rick is an eccentric and alcoholic mad scientist, who eschews any ordinary conventions such as school, marriage, love, and family. He frequently goes on adventures with his 14-year-old grandson,
Morty, a kind-hearted but easily distressed boy, whose naïve but grounded moral compass plays counterpoint to Rick’s ego.
Morty’s 17-year-old sister, Summer, is a conventional teenager, who worries about improving her status among her peers and sometimes follows Rick and Morty on their adventures.
The kid’s mother, Beth, is a level-headed person and assertive force in the household, though self-conscious about her profession as a horse surgeon. She is dissatisfied with her marriage to Jerry, a
simple-minded and insecure person, who disapproves of Rick’s influence over his family.
Different versions of the characters inhabit other dimensions throughout the multiverse and their personal characteristics can vary from one reality to another.
The age rating for the show is 16+, however, parents say it should be 14+ and kids say 13+.
Rick and Morty is intended for mature viewers who can take violence, alcohol consumption, and sexual content in stride. There are no positive role models, the show’s foundation is the sadistic
control Rick wields over Morty.
Violence is graphic albeit in a cartoon way, containing body explosions, gushing wounds, weapon use, and some death.
It also contains sexually suggestive stuff too, with hints at nudity and some talk about sexuality.
This show related to the Uses and Gratifications theory. People will use this show for escapism and entertainment.
twenty one pilots - Chlorine
This is a song off twenty one pilots latest record ‘TRENCH’.
The song is abut the effect writing and creating music has on Tyler (singer). The chemical spoken about throughout the song is a metaphor of music.
“Chlorine” is about the cleansing power that music has on the narrator. Chlorine, while being a deadly chemical, used to eliminate unwanted substances.
Within the lyrics, “vibe” or “beat” are being compared to the chemical. Even though the chemical has poisonous properties, the narrator can’t get enough.
The band released a music video for the track on January 22, 2019. There have been many theories going round about what it represents, mainly focusing on a new character they introduced named “Ned”.
Throughout the video, Tyler Joseph and Joshua Dun (drummer) repeatedly fill up a swimming pool with water and chlorine, seeming to try draw out the alien-like creature (Ned) hiding behind a pile of backyard debris. Towards the end of the video, Ned jumps into the water, and his antlers appear to grow while in the chlorine, moments later, Tyler is sitting in the empty pool and offers Ned a cup of liquid, however he seems to turn it down.
Ned is seen to be a metaphor for Tyler’s creative process. While the guys try to get Ned to go in the pool to be happy and have fun, Ned keeps going to the pool but then back into hiding. Tyler and Josh go out to get more chlorine to entice Ned in more. It’s not until the pool is completely full and the perfect condition until Ned jumps in. This could represent how now that the band is in a bigger light, they feel the pressure of having to be good enough and only show themselves/release music whenever they think it is perfect.
They have a story line linked to the record, the songs ‘Jumpsuit’, ‘Nico and The Niners’ and ‘Levitate’, all have a video which link together, some fans have a theory this may be another part to the story or a whole new concept.
The band create music videos and lyrics that only fans will understand, where as the public will just see it as nothing.
This music video relates to the Reception Theory.
The producers and artists gave the video and song a meaning for the fans to work out and give their own theories on.
Hitman: Absolution
Hitman: Absolution is a stealth video game developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix. It is the fifth instalment in the Hitman series. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Hitman: Absolution was met with a polarised reception. Most were positive comments concerning the games graphics, environments and locations, and the varied gameplay options. However, many critics disliked the game for its linear structure as opposed to the open ended nature of previous instalments.
The player assumes the role of a hitman named Agent 47. Presented from a third-person perspective, the gameplay centres around completing set objectives within a series of levels. Objectives can range from simply reaching the end of the level, to killing specific individuals. Players can choose how to complete each level, taking branching paths to get to a target or location.
Players may use pistols, bottles or bricks, assault rifles, shotguns, fibre-wire, or steel pipe against enemies if opting for the action-oriented approach, or avoid enemies altogether, not being seen, using disguises, blending into the environment, and only attacking the set target(s), if using the stealth-oriented approach. Agent 47 also has the ‘instinct’ ability that lets the player monitor enemies more easily. There are also environmental ways to kill or distract individuals; players can use poison to spike coffee, pull switches to make a disco ball fall and break, cause a massive explosion at a gas station, pull a switch to cause scaffolding to fall down, cause fires, or set off fireworks.
Players complete chapters in order to progress through the story. The player journeys to various locations, including a mansion, library strip club, gun store, wrestling arena, courthouse, and hotel during the story.
The game introduced an online option to the series, ‘Contracts’, where players can create their own missions and decide which non-player characters (NPCs) are required to be eliminated, what weapon must be used to eliminate each target, what disguise is required, whether the body must be hidden or
not and if they player is allowed to be spotted by the AI. “Contracts” was shut down in May 2018 due to IO Interactive not owning or controlling the online servers but needing to comply with GPDR legislation.
The game is rated an 18+, due to there being a lot of blood and some gore. It also involves partial nudity, strong profanity, and scenes with characters ingesting narcotic drugs.
This game can relate to the Uses and Gratification theory.
People will play this game as a way of escapism or entertainment.
Task 2
Choose two or more examples of your own work produced for this course so far.
Explain the contextual parameters of each piece of work (genre, audience, content, narrative and structure).
Use critical perspectives (theories) to explain the structure and content of your work. You might refer to representation, audience reception theories or codes and conventions.
Contextual Parameters - Children's Illustration
I was given three children stories to choose from to create illustrations for. I decided to go with Little Red Riding Hood.
I wanted to keep a basic and simple style to my work.
As the book is aimed towards children, I wanted to keep the colours bright.
I used InDesign to layout my book on pages, as well as adding text in suitable places so it is easy to read.
I think I could of done better with the work by adding some more detail to the surroundings and settings, however I am happy with how it turned out, especially considering I don’t have any drawing skill.
If I had to do it again, I would of done more research in the styles and attempt to do an example of work within that type.
My children's book relates to the Uses and Gratifications theory.
It is made for children to use as an entertainment source.
Contextual Parameters – Movie Posters
I was given a brief to recreate posters for 3 movies/shows of my choice.
I decided to go with ‘IT’, ‘High School Musical’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’.
For my ‘IT’ poster I included a red balloon and paper boat, if people know of the film or have watched it, they will understand why those are there, however if it is someone who has never seen the film, it may confuse them. I know I could of done better designing this one, I would add more depth and detail.
My ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ poster is based off one of my favourite shows. It seemed clear to the people I asked that it is a police badge, which highly represents the show. I really like how this one turned out. I added shadow to the badge which gave more depth, as well as using the colours in the back which make it stand out more, in my opinion.
The ‘High School Musical’ poster is extremely simple, it has the same purpose as my ‘IT’ poster, only those that have watched the film will get the reference to the paw. I stuck to the colour scheme of the
movie, and I’m happy with how it turned out.
My posters are related to the Reception Theory.
All of them have a meaning and relation to the show/movie.
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