Preliminary Exercise 5: Analyzing Genre

          In today's blog, I created a bubble diagram illustrating mise en scene elements within a chosen genre and subgenre. This diagram includes characters, set design, props, lighting, and acting. Genre is the stylistic category that films are put into. The names we give to describe these categories have been developed over time for what we watch in film. Genre is important to film producers and the audience because it helps set an expectation for what an audience is about to watch and it shapes the characters and story of a film. Examples of genres can include comedy, horror, action, and drama. A subgenre is a smaller and more specific genre within a broader genre. It is important because it tells exactly and more accurately what a film is all about. Romantic comedy, for example, is a lighthearted, humorous plot that is centered on ideas of romance and love. My favorite kind of genre is action because I enjoy the high energy and fast-paced storyline with some fighting involved.

       The purpose of this assignment is to identify genre and subgenre using the elements of mise en scene. Me and my partner chose the genre science fiction and the subgenre alien invasion because even though it is a popular genre, it is often overlooked and is not mentioned as much are other popular genres. Aliens are also very common and recognizable in sci-fi. Science fiction is fiction based on imagined futuristic science and technology and environmental changes. Alien invasion is science fiction where extraterrestrial lifeforms come and invade earth. Iconography is the visual images and symbols used in a work of art. Four iconic images associated with sci-fi/alien invasion are:

Setting: field of land, inside a spaceship, a planet

Iconography: ray guns, alien egg, spaceship

Characters: extraterrestrial being, scientist

Tone and atmosphere: curiosity, wonder, exploration

Narrative themes are the central topic, subject, or message in a narrative. Four themes associated with sci-fi/alien invasion can be consequences of the unknown, cooperation or conflict, survival, and exploration.

Reflection

          The objective of the activity is to research film genres based on key components, conventions, and technical codes. A main genre and a subgenre are chosen, identifying mise en scene elements like setting, acting, costume, hair, makeup, color, set design, lighting, and composition. I created a bubble diagram poster to represent an example of a subgenre inside of a genre and how the elements of mise en scene are put into place regarding genre. To complete the poster, me and my partner researched what a typical sci-fi movie has and how aliens are put into that category. We found that aliens are usually paired with spaceships, so in the middle of the poster, we drew an alien inside of a space. Aliens are also known to abduct things, so we drew robotic tentacles abducting the elements of mise en scene in a sci-fi/alien movie. We used our expert artistic ability and the help of informative websites to complete the poster. I learned that the elements of mise en scene can determine what the genre of a film is.

Work Cited

What is a Genre? || Definition & Examples. (2023, July 19). College of Liberal Arts. https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-genre

Reich, J. (2017, July 11). 2. What Is Genre and How Is It Determined? Pressbooks. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/exploring-movie-construction-and-production/chapter/2-what-is-genre-and-how-is-it-determined/

Hellerman, J. (2023, December 6). Deconstructing the Science Fiction Genre in Movies and TV. No Film School. https://nofilmschool.com/science-fiction-genre

Preliminary Exercise 4: Analyzing Mise en Scene

          Mise en Scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a film. In this activity, I identified mise en scene elements in a film clip, selected still frames to support each element, and documented the messages they conveyed. I also documented how these elements create mood, support the film's genre, and document the production jobs responsible for each mise en scene element. The movie I chose was a comedy-drama, a Madea Family Funeral. The theme of the movie is to value family relationships and the need for honesty and understanding in challenging events. In the opening, a family gathering is presented and the atmosphere starts to intensify as family secrets begin to surface. The elements of mise en scene are used with the introduction of set design, costume, and lighting. In the set design, the family gathering setting is designed to be relatable and familiar, so the props, furniture, and decor contribute to the relaxed and comfortable tone in the beginning. In the costume element, the characters are dressed in a manner that reflects their personality and their role in the family, which can provide information about a character without saying a word. The lighting element of mise en scene enhances the mood by using natural, warm lighting to create an inviting atmosphere since it is a family gathering with many people. "A Madea Family Funeral" has a humorous and dramatic mood as the film uses humor to navigate through serious family issues. A feeling of warmth and chaos is presented as Madea provides comedic relief while the family secrets unfold, creating emotional moments that add to the narrative. The main message the author is trying to communicate is the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and facing difficult truths within a family. The film touches on the depths of family relationships and the need for understanding and acceptance even in an unexpected and challenging situation.

General Information of Film
Film Title: A Madea Family Funeral	Media Institution Name:
Film Studio(s):	Director: Josh Boone
Year released: 2019	Genre and sub-genres: Drama Comedy
Cost of production (Budget): $20 Million	Box Office: 75.8 million USD
A brief synopsis of the film: When Madea, Joe, Aunt Bam, and other family members assemble for an anniversary party that goes horribly wrong, a happy reunion in Georgia becomes an unexpected nightmare. Madea and the family quickly discover themselves attending a funeral that doesn't go as planned instead of having fun and relaxing.

Setting
Definition: the time, place, and circumstances in which something occurs or develops
	Setting is… At a funeral home
	Message: a place where to share your last moments with someone you lost
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: mournful, grief
Location (Where and geographic description): a small funeral home
Time Period: 2010s
Time of Day: Afternoon
Culture/moral values of the setting: family and friends come together to celebrate the life of a person
Job title: Lizbeth Aguilar as set dresser

Acting
Definition: movements, gestures, and intonations to portray a character
	The acting is... Lighthearted and relaxed
	Messages
	Something can go wrong at any time
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: humorous, chill
Character portrayed: a strong, street-smarted old woman
Character appearance: (Tall, short, skinny, muscular, male, female, attractive, etc.) Female, old, big, exaggerated makeup
Character actions: uses hands to express words (talk with her hands)
Facial expressions and body language: exaggerated facial expressions, calm and unserious body language
Voice quality/ tone: vulgar, with much knowledge
Job title: Tyler Perry as the cast

Set Design: Décor and Props
Definition: movable or portable items on a stage or a set
	Set design (décor and props)… Hat, book, bookstand, curtains
	Message: sharing how you and the deceased person were connected
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: memorable, Reminiscing
Décor: (Example red and black checkered floors, yellow walls, modern furniture, old shabby curtains, etc.) glittery blue and white curtains
Props: bookstand, book, hat
Job title: Dennis Donegan, Taran Alderman

Costumes, hair and make-up
Definition: help actors portray their characters by using hair and make-up to create a look.
	The costume is…. Detailed and tumultuous The hair and make-up is  Bright and intense
	Message: the message talks about how old generations can come together and support each other.
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: the atmosphere is sorrowful and mournful.
Costumes: blaring
Hair: captivating
Make-up: excessive
Job title: Nikki Bell, Andrea C. Brotherton, Roosevelt Cartwright, Syretta L. Bell, Brian Butler, Char Coats-Crump, Manny Davila, Benji Dove, Julie Hill-parker, Shantel Jordan as makeup artists

Lighting
Definition: the direction, quality, source, or color of light.
	The lighting is key lighting, making the scene look clear and comprehensible
	Message: the message talks about how bright and holy the place is
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: the opening sequence is sorrowful making up for a sad mood at first.
Light Direction: frontal light
Light Source: Daylight-balanced arc lamp
Light Quality: hard light
Job title: Kira Potter, Dwayne Thomas as the gaffers

Composition
Definition: the way elements of a scene are arranged in a camera frame
	The composition is... Madea and the casket are in the front while everybody else is in the background
	Message: to show how important the deceased person was to Madea
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: sorrowful, depressing
Framing Balance: set in the middle so the frame is symmetrical
Depth of Field: Madea is in the front center while all other observers and on the back sides
Focus: Madea and the casket
Job title: Richard J. Vialet

Color
Definition: sets the overall tone of the film.
	The color is …… Warm and neutral colors
	Message: Madea and her family hear the news about the passing
	Atmosphere/mood of the opening sequence: shocked, flabbergasted
Dominant Colors: yellow, grey, orange
Meanings of colors: to show their age

Reflection

          The objective of this activity is to study mise en scene elements and genre conventions through a film case study, analyzing their significance in conveying genre codes. I created a PowerPoint presentation to show how elements of mise en scene help convey the genre of a film. I'm at an intermediate level with PowerPoint because I have been using it for about 7 years now, but I still have a lot to learn about it. I learned in this exercise that mise en scene can help in understanding the genre of a film.

Work Cited

Jones, R. (2023, September 1). A Madea Family Funeral Review. Rendy Reviews. https://rendyreviews.com/movie-reviews//a-madea-family-funeral-review

A Madea Family Funeral. (2023, August 2). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Madea_Family_Funeral

A Madea Family Funeral. (n.d.). TVGuide.com. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/a-madea-family-funeral/cast/2000330142/

Moviepedia, C. T. (n.d.). A Madea Family Funeral. Moviepedia. https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/A_Madea_Family_Funeral

Preliminary Exercise 3: What is Mise en Scene

          The concept of Mise en Scene is the arrangement of visual elements within a frame, shaping the atmosphere and narrative of a film. The purpose of it is to communicate meaning to the audience about character, their lives, and the world they live in. The elements of Mise en scene include: setting, acting, costume, hair and makeup, color, set design, composition, and lighting. The 2019 movie, A Madea Family Funeral, is a comedy that emphasizes the bonds within a family, even in challenging situations. The tone is mainly humorous to entertain the audience. The mood of the film goes from light-hearted comic to serious and reflective. Understanding Mise en Scene is beneficial to the genre of the film because it enhances the storytelling, helps identify the genre, contributes to the atmosphere of the film, and helps recognize genre-specific characters.

Reflection

          This activity's objective is to obtain knowledge of the elements of mise en scene and their significance in conveying genre codes by preparing a case study of a film (A Madea Family Funeral). I created a PowerPoint presentation to show examples of elements of mise en scene in a film. I'm at an intermediate level with PowerPoint because I have been using it for about 7 years now, but I still have a lot to learn about it. I learned that the genre, mood, tone, and atmosphere can be determined by the different elements of mise en scene (setting, acting, costume, hair and makeup, color, set design, composition, and lighting).

Work Cited

What is Mise en Scène in Film: Definition and Examples. (2021, February 1). StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/mise-en-scene/

Preliminary Exercise 2: Roland Barthes' Theory of Semiotic Analysis

          Ronald Barthes is a French essayist who helped establish structuralism and new criticism through his work on semiotics. He created the theory that objects and images carry a denotative meaning and a connotative meaning. Denotative is a direct meaning while connotative are words that offer a secondary meaning from the surrounding context. A myth is a set of ideas that become universally accepted and understood. Myths often carry denotations and connotations. Denotation myths can be traditional stories or beliefs, while connotative myths can be shared values, identities, or stereotypes that can influence our perspective of the world. Barthes's theory is beneficial to the planning of film because it provides a framework for creating narratives, symbols, and visuals that enhance audience engagement by going into layers of meaning while emphasizing culture and social contexts. I watched a video clip from Mockingjay Part 2. A woman showed off her gown and wings to a crowd full of people. A man is discussing their marriage until he mentions a baby, and then the crowd becomes outraged. All the people on stage lock hands with one another and the power goes out. Four visual codes I found in the film are the setting: ceremonial stage, acting: an emotionless expression, costume: the black dress with wings, and sound: going from cheering to yelling. The codes' connotations reveal that the Hunger Games ceremony had been taken over and the people on stage have a part in the plan.

Reflection

          The objective of the activity is to create a semiotic analysis table based on Ronald Barthes's theory of denotative and connotative signs to recognize and define visual and audible signs when analyzing media products. I created a PowerPoint presentation to show how Barthes's theory is used in media. I'm at an intermediate level with PowerPoint since I have been using it for about 7 years now, but I still have a lot to learn about it.  In the first slide, the words myth, denotation, and connotation are all defined as they are important in understanding the objective of the PowerPoint. In the second slide, the signifier setting is the Hunger Games Ceremonial Stage. In the denotative meaning of the image presented image shows two people on a stage in front of a big crowd. The connotative meaning is that the ceremony is to open an event and to recognize someone's achievements. In the third slide, the signifier acting is the woman's emotionless facial expression. The denotative meaning is that the woman is showing no strong emotion on her face. The connotative meanings are that she has a plan and cannot show emotion to reveal herself and that she does not care about the ceremony. In the fourth slide, the signifier costume is a black dress with wings. The denotative meaning is a long black dress with wings. The connotative meanings are that the wings can be a sign of wanting freedom and that she must be a significant person in the film, because of her unique outfit. In the fifth slide, the signifier sound is the dialogue of the audience when they go from cheering to yelling. The denotative meaning is the crowd got startled when the lights went off. The connotative meanings are that the crowd thought something bad was going to happen and that the crowd knew that the lighting turning off was not a part of the ceremony. This exercise was done in a group of two with one person searching up the information and the other writing down the information. I learned that a simple saying or image can have different layers of deeper meaning.

Work Cited

T. F. (2014, October 29). The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Movie CLIP #6 - The Mockingjay Appears (2013) Movie HD. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM1ABOZQ8Po

Semiotics | Definition, Theory, Examples, & Facts. (2023, November 17). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/semiotics

Preliminary Exercises 1: Ferdinand de Saussure's Theory of Semiotics Analysis

 

          Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols as elements of language and systems of communication. Ferdinand de Saussure is a Swiss linguist who revolutionized the study of language and signs in his semiotics theory of sign, signifier, and signified. Sign is a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, or decision. Signifier is a sign's physical form/object. Signified is the meaning or idea expressed/conveyed by the signifier. Ferdinand de Saussure's theory is beneficial to the research of film by providing framework for analyzing how signs and symbols in film convey meaning and contribute to the overall feeling and mood of a film. The objective of this first preliminary exercise is to complete a semiotic analysis table based on Saussure's Semiotic Theory, which can be shown below.

 

Reflection

          The objective of the activity is to recognize and define signs (visually and audibly) when analyzing media products for sign, signifier, and signified. I created a PowerPoint presentation to show how Saussure's theory is used in media. I'm at an intermediate level with PowerPoint because I have been using it for about 7 years now, but I still have a lot to learn about it. In the first slide, the words myth, denotation, and connotation are all defined as they are all important in establishing the meanings of signs and their signifier and signified. The second slide gives examples of  Saussure's semiotic theory of signs, signifiers, and signified. A picture or a sign of a rose can be known to represent love, as it is common in romance and relationships, but it can also represent pain, as its thorns can be painful to touch. This exercise was done in a group of two with one person searching up the information and the other writing down the information. I learned that people can interpret signs differently as there can be multiple meanings to a particular sign.

Work Cited

Semiotics | Definition, Theory, Examples, & Facts. (2023, November 17). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/semiotics