La La Land Theories Applied

Question 1

What would be a preferred reading of La La Land

Answer 1

Heterosexual, middle class, white, feminist

Question 2

What could be a negotiated reading of La La land

Answer 2

People who relate to the romantic element but not the sexuality, people who cant identify with the ethnicity but can still engage with the story

Question 3

What could be an oppostional reading of la la land

Answer 3

LGBT, working/under class, hispanics African americans, females who see mia as a weak character. Fans of jazz who think its being misrepresented.

Question 4

(ACTIVE SPECTATORSHIP) How could the multiple spectating selves theory be applied to La La Land- Social self (1/4)

Answer 4

-middle class
-white
-heterosexual
-meritocratic-> American dream ideology

Question 5

(ACTIVE SPECTATORSHIP) How could the multiple spectating selves theory be applied to La La Land- Cultural Self (2/4)

Answer 5

-Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers dance sequences
-Classical hollywood references
-singing in the rain
-Rebel without a cause

Question 6

(ACTIVE SPECTATORSHIP) How could the multiple spectating selves theory be applied to La La Land- Private Self (3/4)

Answer 6

-Relationship representation
-Pursuit of dreams
-Personal Sacrifice

Question 7

(ACTIVE SPECTATORSHIP) How could the multiple spectating selves theory be applied to La La Land- Desiring Self (4/4)

Answer 7

-Desire for a love like seb and mia
-Desire for a passion or job like Seb and Mia

Question 8

How is Active and Passive spectatorship promoted in: The Overture

Answer 8

A: Upbeat music and dance drawing the audience into energetic performance

P: Lack of Dialogue, singing and dancing that viewers can absorb at face value without deeper thought

Question 9

How is Active and Passive spectatorship promoted in: Sebs Piano sequence

Answer 9

A: audiences may sympathise with sebs frustration following the rules, rather than expressing his love and talent for jazz

P: focus on piano and music through close up shots, observation at surface level as the scene is visually appealing but musically focused

Question 10

How is Active and Passive spectatorship promoted in the final scene (la la land)

Answer 10

A: Fiver years later is an intriguing introduction that can actively engage viewers, mia going into Sebs club after all this time sets up an interesting dynamic for the viewer
P: Lack of dialogue, the emotional intensity and cinematic presentation of a dreamlike montage may sweep viewers into a visually rich passive experience. (Metz)