media language Flashcards
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings:
what can semiotics be used to analyse?
aspects of media language
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what does the urban setting of London immediately connotes?
realism with a focus on the underbelly of urban society and gangland activity
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what does the programme offer of the capital?
an unglamourised view of the capital.
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what is the pre-title sequence filmed on?
a piece of waste land
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what does the pre-title sequence highlight?
the use of real locations in the programme which would have been innovative at the time and part of the programme’s appeal
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (visual codes — codes of clothing):
what does the connotations of characters’ clothing and appearance create?
meanings
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (visual codes — codes of clothing):
what is the clothing used to establish?
a hierarchy
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (visual codes — codes of clothing):
what does Haskins wear?
city wear of the time including a formal suit and black overcoat
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (visual codes — codes of clothing):
what are Regan and Carter?
what are their appearances?
detectives
not in uniform but are less formal
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (visual codes — codes of clothing):
what are villains clearly demarcated as?
through clothing
The connotations of characters’ clothing and appearance:
what does the detectives wearing smart suits reflect?
professionalism
The connotations of characters’ clothing and appearance:
what are criminals seen as?
more in a scruffy attire — law breaking nature
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what does the shots and editing suggest?
an attempt to create realism and distance the programme from earlier examples of the genre mainly filmed on sets
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what does the codes sugggest in which it was made at the time?
they are more simplistic;
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what does the editing mainly rely on?
continuity editing
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what is one example of some scenes that there is clearly only one camera?
jenny’s bedroom and sitting room in the opening scene
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what does the the film stock used and the location filming reinforce?
the more realistic feel of the programme
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (the relationship between technology and media products — technical codes):
what does these techniques would have been for audience?
different and refreshing for audiences at the time — involving them in the action
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what is there limited use of?
music
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what are the main audio codes being?
sound, dialogue and silence
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what does the use of silence being innovative at the time mean?
to create realism
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what is one example of silence being used?
when Regan is taking surveillance photographs of different members of the gang
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what does the music then cut suggest?
the narrative is moving forward
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what does the non-diegetic soundtrack of the title sequence became?
iconic and synonymous with the programme’s brand
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what are accents used to connote?
hierarchy
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what accent does the villain speak with?
a pronounced Cockney accent
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
what accent does DCI Haskins speaks?
an RP accent
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (audio codes):
how does dialogue also suggest rank?
for example in one of the early scenes Haskins refers to the Beckett play Waiting for Godot which is not understood by the other officers, Carter states when asked who Godot is ‘he plays full-back for QPR’
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does the sweeney have a set of although crime dramas have evolved over time?
have a recognisable set of conventions
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does the sweeney clearly establish that that continue to be used in contemporary examples of the genre?
a repertoire of elements
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does a narrative based on a crime needs?
to be investigated and solved
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what theory conforms the narrative?
Todorov’s theory
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what is the todorov’s theory?
where the structure is linear from the initial disruption through to a resolution, or non-linear where time and space is manipulated
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what structure does the sweeney has?
linear
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does each episode had?
different title
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does each episode deals with?
a new crime
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does the narrative arc comes from?
from the relationships between the characters
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what binary oppositions does the sweeney include? (4)
good vs evil
hero vs villain
police vs criminals
detectives vs police authority.
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what are a set of recognisable character types? (4)
a hierarchy with a boss (Haskins)
a detective (Regan)
sidekick (Carter)
other characters, for example the criminals and Kemble, the gangland boss.
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does the sweeney also have a hierarchy within the criminal group? (4)
with Frank Kemble as the boss, Dave Brooker as his sidekick with Billy and Stupid Hawes subordinate to both
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre):
what does the choice of name is indicative of the time?
in which the programme is made and what constituted as appropriate
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre — settings + locations):
how does the settings and locations establish realism? (3)
the police station
Jenny’s house
a range of outside locations in London
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre — iconography):
what does Kemble’s house with elements of luxury and his framing in the leather chair behind a desk suggests?
his power over the others and the class divide between him and the gang members
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre — iconography):
what is kembler’s power reinforced?
that he smokes a pipe, not cigarettes, and has a more refined accent
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre — iconography):
what does the gun reflect?
the narrative focus of several of the episodes on armed robbery or raids
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (genre — iconography):
what does the cars belonging to the ‘Flying Squad’ became?
iconic with connotations of chases and action
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what is propp theory the considered as?
a character-driven narrative theory
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what does the propp theory suggest?
that characters influence a narrative and communicate meanings through cause and effect, the narrative progresses as a result of their actions
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
how are all characters motives revealed?
during the story arc
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what is the narrative according to propp is driven by the need to do?
achieve their goals
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
why are regan and carter considered as heroes?
that they solve crimes, arrest dangerous criminals and protect the community
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
why is regan particularly an anti-hero?
flawed — he drinks, smokes, challenges authority and does not always follow the rules
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what is Regan seen by his superiors?
to be a bad influence on Carter, referred to by Haskins as ‘undisciplined and irresponsible’
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
why are carter and regan ultimately ‘good guys’?
he and Carter may use tactics to elicit information, it is clear that they are not corrupt
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what did one of the villains comment?
‘This is The Sweeney, you don’t buy them’
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
how are the villains clearly established from the opening sequence?
violent
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
why are the villains considered as hardened criminals?
used to getting what they want through violence and intimidation
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
how does the villans get what they want through violence and intimidation?
in the unpleasant scene where Jenny is threatened with the iron
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
how are there a range of sidekicks in The Sweeney?
Carter is Regan’s partner
Kemble has a sidekick in Brooker and Billy has Stupid Hawes.
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
what is a sidekick?
refer to a character who accompanies and supports the main protagonist
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
how do they all have a clear role and advance the narrative:
- what does stupid hawed reveal to regan?
- what does regan realises?
Stupid Hawes reveals to Regan the connection between Billy and Kemble
Regan realises his surveillance operation has been discovered
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
who does carter cover for?
regan
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
who does carter show loyalty to rather than Haskins?
regan
consider the various forms of media language used to create and communicate meanings (theoretical perspective on narrative: propp):
why is jenny the princess/damsel in distress?
barely seen in the opening scene and is threatened by the gangsters
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what are television crime dramas are historically one of?
the most popular television genres
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what does it mean if television crime dramas are recognisable to audiences?
fulfilling their expectations and are useful in the marketing of the product
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what does crime dramas rely on?
repetition of common conventions
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what can crime dramas introduce?
different elements — varies
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
how does the sweeney repeat typical codes of earlier crime dramas?
for example Z Cars and Softly
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what did Softly introduced to appeal to the audience?
grittier elements including violence and action
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
how are genres dynamic?
developing over time to reflect social and cultural change
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what is an example from the sweeney of the dynamic nature of the crime genre?
addresses the changing perception of the police
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what did the sweeney borrowed conventions from?
popular American crime drama imports
consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality:
what did american crime drama paved what programmes? (2)
Starsky and Hutch
how can the sweeney be viewed through the lens of hybridity?
by examining how it blends elements of crime drama and action genres
hybridity:
what are the procedural aspects that are combined?
a police drama with the action-packed sequences of a crime thriller.
hybridity:
what does the show feature that are characteristic of the action genre but also explores of a typical crime drama genre?
car chases
shootouts
intense confrontations
hybridity:
how does hybridity appeal to a wide audience?
offering both the excitement of action and the intellectual engagement of solving crimes
hybridity:
what does hybridity challenge?
traditional genre boundaries and conventions by combining elements from different genres to create a unique and popular television series
hybridity
to combine elements to create something new
how can intertextuality be observed in the sweeney through?
references, allusions, and influences from other crime and action genres
intertextuality:
how does the programme reference other cultural texts?
classic crime films, in its portrayal of gritty and action-packed police work
