Hot Fuzz

Q 1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre.

Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]

One way in which this extract seems to fit Hot Fuzz into the action/adventure genre is the presence of weapons. Many of the citizens of the village and Sergeant Angel possess a firearm and use it. The firearms also represent violence which is common in action/adventure genre films.

Another way is the battle which occurs dignifies the action/adventure genre because of how the village citizens seem only to be interested in attacking the protagonist, showing a one man army occurring and the fact that the protagonist wins, also supports that this extract is indeed from that genre.

Q 3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract.

Refer to stereotypes in your answer.

Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

In the extract, there are many ways in which the characters are represented. The villagers stick to the stereotype of being old which is dignified by their old-styled clothing. However, they break the stereotype when they become violent by attacking Angel which isn't a particular elderly trait. Yet, their age shows through by their lack of ability to making a good shot (for instance, when the woman from the window behind Angel starts shooting, she fails to lay a shot) and slow reloading skills.

As well, the protagonist is a white, male who fits the stereotypical hero persona and is put across as strong and brave. His strength is indicated by the good technique he uses with his gun and bravery by facing all the people alone.  His protagonist nature can be shown by how he is a policeman, evident through his Police uniform. As well, he enters on a white horse which, in old western films, the protagonist used to ride into battle onto such colour horse; also there was a western-themed soundtrack playing.

His what-seems-partner seems more overweight than Angel himself and the stereotypical trait of laziness from a fat person shines through with how he fails, until the very end, to help out Angel and just sits out in the police car.

Media Questions

Q.1. Explain two ways the characters and/or events fit the action adventure genre.

         Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]

         The presence of the army within this clip is a clear indication of the action adventure  

         genre as they are a symbol of violence against evil and so represents the violence to

         come within the extract from the very beginning. The army show their violence against

         evil by confronting the suicide bomber with guns pointed at them and the presence of

         these weapons further fits the action and adventure genre.

         Another way in which this film seems to fit the action adventure genre according to this

         extract is the current event of a war which seems to be occurring in a Middle eastern

         country. A war is another indication of violence commonly found in action adventure-

         genre films, as within a war, there is the presence of binary opposites of good vs. evil

         (army vs. terrorists).

Q.2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effect:

·         soundtrack

·         editing

·         mise en scene

·         camerawork

          Use example from the extract. [30 marks]

         Within the extract, there isn’t the presence of non-digetic aspects which works with  

          increasing the films effects by adding more suspense towards the event and also

          putting across the perception that the film is more realistic than it actually is as in real

          life, there obviously isn’t the added in music often found in a lot of films.

          The surroundings are rather quiet so the sharp sounds of the bolt cutter and the

          explosion, and also the speech contrasts with the quiet and so attracts the audience

          towards what is occurring more. These sounds are diegetic.

          The only editing which it is noticed, is the explosion of the suicide bomber as it wouldn’t

          be permitted to actually blow him up. The editing is effective and brings across the

          purpose (that the man, was indeed, blown up) well.

Rita Vrataski played by Emily Blunt

Her costume consists of the robotic uniform needed for her place in the army and symbolises strength because of the complexity and the amount there is. It is mostly black to act as camouflage and obtain a sleek look whilst the red highlights identify her as a member of the ‘squadron’. Her costume is also futuristic to show the time period from which the film occurs. As well she isn’t wearing a helmet to also symbolise a rebellious attitude, which breaks the stereotype of female roles in films.

Her hair is out of her face so it doesn’t get in the way during the fight and is a practical way of achieving this aim. However, it is still neat to identify she still cares about her appearance as well obtain a natural beauty.

In this particular photo, she doesn’t seem to be wearing much make up due to the amount of mud and dirt found on her face however her eyes are highlighted. The dirt symbolises the gender swapping found in the film because of how she as a female is actually taking part in the fighting and ‘getting down and dirty.’ The make-up she does have on though identifies her female qualities because she is the lead character within the film and so must obtain an idol to the audience.

In this photo she is also holding a weapon to demonstrate the gender swapping and the masculinity of her personality as women don’t tend to take part in violent activities which the weapon represents. It also represents protection which is usually a man’s role whom must protect the weaker beings.

Compare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels.

·        Who commissioned the programmes?

Bad Education – Chris Sussman (BBC Comedy)

Miranda – Cheryl Taylor (BBC Comedy)

·      Who produced them?

Bad Education – Ben Cavey (BBC)

Miranda – Jo Sargent (BBC)

       What audience are they aimed at? Why?

Bad Education – Teenage and Young Adult (relate to the situation – school - and character – teenagers and young adults)

Miranda – Middle-age adults (relate to the situation – work/pub/home – and character – adults aged 35 approx.)

·      Why are they on at that time and on that channel? Link to 'type' of comedy and target audience.

Bad Education – 10:00pm – BBC Three - Tuesday (after watershed/rude humour/swearing/situation comedy)

Miranda – 8:30pm – BBC One – Wednesday (before watershed/humour which isn’t too rude/situation comedy)

·      Know the audience demographic

Bad Education – E (Students)/B (Teachers)

Miranda – C category

The IT Crowd

The IT Crowd is a sitcom because of the conventions used in the program. A sitcom is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment and in this program, the common environment is the workplace and is limited to this. This is also known as 'The Comic Trap' because Roy and Moss cannot tell the boss on Jen not knowing anything about computers, because of fear of being fired so they have to learn to work together. There is also canned laughter present which is a cheap replacement to a studio audience. A laugh track is often employed because of a lack of time, space or money to have an audience and also where certain situations may lack humour in the writing and the writers need to maintain the comical facade of the show. Also, the characters of the show are stereotypes of nerds which allow an easier understanding of the characters without full development of their lives to occur. As well, there is a repetitive opening sequence towards the start of the program and a popular and catchy theme tune. 

Evaluation

Film Poster

Film Poster

My film poster attracts a teenage audience because of the teenage actor staring on the front.