Audience Use of Media

Audience Use of Media
Allow approximately 6 hrs to complete this module.

For this module, you will complete an in-class written task which will be worth 5% of the year's total marks.  You will choose one of the questions below and write for the duration of one full period in exam conditions.

To support your argument, you will refer to at least one of the listed films in detail - the trailers are provided to help you decide which film to watch.  Some of the films are available through Clickview, using your College login.

1. How do the choices made by media producers, such as genre, narrative style, and representation, impact the way we think about certain groups of people, such as women or people of colour?

2. What role do stereotypes play in the media, and how can we identify and challenge them? Provide examples of media that challenge stereotypes and those that reinforce them.

1. Reel Injun (2009) - This film examines how Native Americans have been portrayed in Hollywood movies over the decades and the impact of these representations on both Native and non-Native audiences.

2. The Mask You Live In (2015) - This documentary examines how societal pressures to conform to masculine norms and expectations can have a negative impact on boys and men, leading to issues such as violence, depression, and substance abuse.

3. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015) - This documentary tells the story of the Black Panther Party and its portrayal in the media, highlighting the role of media representation in shaping public opinion and government response to social movements.

IMPORTANT NOTE

To be best prepared for this task, you will need to watch the film as homework.   You should also research the topic you want to write about, in order to answer the question well.  Do this early, and talk about the films and your chosen question with your peers.

You will be marked on the quality and logic of your argument (12 marks), your use of media terminology (4 marks) and the quality of your references to the film (4 marks).  A glossary of media terminology can be found here.

The task will be hand-written in class.

How to Prepare

How Much to Write?
This question is best answered by you.  A good learner is not looking for the least amount of work, they are looking for their own best performance.  

To work out how much to write, sit with pen and paper and write about anything you like, for five minutes.  At five minutes, check how many pages you have written.  If you have a fifty minute writing task, multiply this number of pages by ten, and you will know how much you can write in fifty minutes.  If you can write one full page in five minutes, you can write ten pages in fifty minutes.

Once you know how much you can write, flat out, try and learn so much about your subject that you can write a quality answer flat out for 50 minutes. 

What if I Finish Early?
When it comes to timed essay writing there is no such thing as finishing early; just quitting or not-finishing.  If you have written all you can and there's ten minutes to spare, read your work and look for places you can improve, elaborate or add new thoughts.  You can add new paragraphs or notes in the margins.  You might even decide to leave a few lines between paragraphs, so you can add things at a later time.

What to Write?
Learning and preparation for this kind of task has been made more efficient in recent months, with the introduction of Chat Bots like ChatGPT.   I asked ChatGPT Answer the question “How do the choices made by media producers, such as genre, narrative style, and representation, impact the way we think about certain groups of people, such as women or people of colour?” using The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution as the main reference text. Make sure to use some other screen media texts for reference as well.

While ChatGPT gives an OK answer, it doesn't offer specific examples from the text, but describes things in fairly broad terms.  A good way to work with this, might be to read through the Chat Bot's answer very thoroughly by printing it off and creating key words for each paragraph.  Then watch the movie and jot down specific examples from the film to support the argument.

Once you've done this, prepare some headings and subheadings, and practice like you would a public speech or lecture with palm cards.  Say out loud everything you know about each heading and subheading.  This process will really help consolidate your knowledge, memory of information and your intended essay structure.

Here is the answer ChatGPT gave me:

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution is a documentary film directed by Stanley Nelson that examines the history and legacy of the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary black nationalist organization that emerged in the United States in the late 1960s. The film provides an excellent example of how media producers' choices, such as genre, narrative style, and representation, can impact the way we think about certain groups of people, such as women and people of color.

One of the primary ways that media producers' choices impact our perceptions of certain groups is through representation. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution challenges the dominant narrative that has traditionally been presented about the Black Panther Party, which portrayed the group as a violent and dangerous organization. The film presents a more nuanced and complex understanding of the Black Panther Party, highlighting the group's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and their efforts to provide social programs and services to their communities.

Through careful choices in representation, such as archival footage, interviews with former Black Panthers, and narration by members of the Black Panther Party, the film challenges the negative stereotypes and assumptions that have been perpetuated about the Black Panther Party in the media. This representation highlights the group's efforts to provide food, clothing, and healthcare to their communities, as well as their work to challenge police brutality and institutionalized racism.

In addition to representation, media producers' choices in genre and narrative style can also impact the way we think about certain groups. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution uses the documentary genre to present a historical and factual account of the Black Panther Party, which helps to challenge the sensationalized and biased portrayals that have been presented in mainstream media. The film also uses a non-linear narrative style, which allows for a more complex and nuanced exploration of the group's history and legacy.

Other screen media texts can also illustrate how media producers' choices impact the way we think about certain groups of people. For example, the film Black Panther (2018) directed by Ryan Coogler, challenges traditional representations of black people in mainstream media. The film presents a futuristic vision of an African nation that has never been colonized and features a predominantly black cast in powerful roles. This representation challenges the negative stereotypes and assumptions that have traditionally been perpetuated about black people in mainstream media.

In conclusion, media producers' choices, such as genre, narrative style, and representation, can have a significant impact on the way we think about certain groups of people, such as women and people of color. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and other screen media texts illustrate the importance of careful choices in representation and narrative style in challenging negative stereotypes and assumptions and promoting more nuanced and complex understandings of these groups.

I asked for more details:

Certainly! Let me elaborate further on how media producers' choices in genre, narrative style, and representation can impact the way we think about certain groups of people, using The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution as a main reference text.

Representation is one of the most significant ways that media producers' choices can shape our perceptions of certain groups. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution challenges the mainstream narrative about the Black Panther Party, which has often portrayed them as a violent and militant group that sought to overthrow the government. The film uses a range of techniques to present a more complex and nuanced view of the group, highlighting their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, their efforts to provide social programs and services to their communities, and their work to challenge police brutality and institutionalized racism.

One of the ways that the film challenges negative stereotypes and assumptions about the Black Panther Party is through its use of archival footage. The film includes footage of Black Panthers providing free breakfast programs, clothing drives, and health clinics to their communities, as well as footage of the group's community outreach efforts. This representation helps to humanize the Black Panther Party and show their dedication to helping their communities.

The film also features interviews with former members of the Black Panther Party, which allows them to share their own perspectives and experiences. The interviews highlight the group's political philosophy and their efforts to challenge systemic racism and oppression. The narration of the film is also done by former members of the Black Panther Party, which adds to the film's authenticity and credibility.

Media producers' choices in genre and narrative style can also impact the way we think about certain groups. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution uses the documentary genre to present a historical and factual account of the Black Panther Party. The film also employs a non-linear narrative style, which allows for a more complex and nuanced exploration of the group's history and legacy. This style of storytelling allows the film to highlight the group's political philosophy and their efforts to challenge systemic racism and oppression, rather than simply focusing on their more sensationalized actions.

Other screen media texts, such as the film Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler, can also demonstrate how media producers' choices impact our perceptions of certain groups. The film presents a vision of a powerful, futuristic African nation that has never been colonized and features a predominantly black cast in powerful roles. The film challenges traditional representations of black people in mainstream media and promotes a positive and empowering image of blackness.

In conclusion, media producers' choices in genre, narrative style, and representation can have a significant impact on the way we think about certain groups of people, such as women and people of color. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and other screen media texts demonstrate the importance of careful choices in representation and narrative style in challenging negative stereotypes and assumptions and promoting more nuanced and complex understandings of these groups. By using techniques such as archival footage, interviews, and non-linear storytelling, media producers can challenge dominant narratives and promote more accurate and positive representations of marginalized groups.