MEST4 Coursework

Books  Harper, S. (2009).  Madness, power and the media: class, gender and race in popular representations of mental distress . Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Philo, G. (1996).  Media and mental distress . London: Longman. 1) Madness power and the media pg 168 "perfect body shape"- damaging to women's physical and psychological well being The extract talked about the representation of women in magazines and the "perfect body shape" (examples given were Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan). Explored the way in which nowadays journalists are sensitive to the subject of mental health and pursue an "anti-stigma agenda" pg 109 Channelling Affliction- "Some dramas depict how medical authorities and institutions sometimes fail to exercise their duty of care..." pg 34 "the media's role in the stigmatisation of mental distress has become a central concern among media watchdogs and campaigners in Britain and the US." "has be...

Historical Text #1: The Breakfast Club (1985) The Breakfast Club Group Therapy Scene 4:03- 5:45 In the scene we see the characters sitting down on the floor, and talking to one another about how they ended up in detention. In the scene we see a medium close up of Brian laying down on the floor, crying, as he tells the rest of the group why he got into trouble. He avoids eye contact as he feels guilty for what he has done. He explains that one of the teachers "found a gun" in his locker and claims that "he tried...". During this line he hesitates quite a bit and doesn't directly mention the words 'suicide' or 'kill myself'.  He then goes on to explain that he tried to kill himself due to his bad grades and says that he "can't get an F..." and that he knows his parents "cant have it". The medium long shot of the whole group sitting on the floor shows the characters remaining listening to Brian and trying to h...

Books Bell, A., Joyce, M., & Rivers, D. (2001).  Advanced level media . London: Hodder & Stoughton. Bignell, J. (2008).  An Introduction to Television Studies . London: Routledge. Curran, J., & Gurevitch, M. (2005).  Mass media and society . London: Hodder Education. Freedman, D. (2015).  The contradictions of media power . London: Bloomsbury Academic. Hartley, J. (2011).  Communication, cultural and media studies: the key concepts . Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Hall, S. (2013).  Representation: cultural representations and signifying practices . Milton Keynes: Los Angeles, Calif. Jenkins, H. (2008).  Convergence culture: where old and new media collide . New York: New York University Press. Niederkrotenthaler, T., & Stack, S. (2017).  Media and suicide: international perspectives on research, theory, and policy . New Brunswick: Transaction Journals Gould, M. S. (2006). Suicide and the Media. ...

1) Historical text #1: The Breakfast Club  close textual analysis 2) Continue with contemporary text (suicide: more of a central focus) wider contexts  Has teenage metal health got worse? and/or Statistics for suicide and depression Is society more aware of the issue? (letter to parents from school about the show) - more sympathetic to metal health problems, changing attitudes, less stigma, more emotionally literate society 3) Consider high school shootings  reference: Bowling for Columbine (doc) and Elephant (film) - allows for more demonisation and less sympathy fro 'victim' 4) Complete bibliography (online) - Sort out fonts

Blade Runner 2049 review – a gigantic spectacle of pure hallucinatory craziness I agree with this article in saying that Bladerunner 2049 was a "narcotic spectacle of eerie and pitiless vastness". The incredible cinematography, along with the sophisticated narrative was enticing- I could understand why the term "narcotic spectacle" was used. I think that the point about watching the film "on the big screen " is crucial as it plays an important part in the whole aesthetic of the film. The intense soundtrack , composed by Hans Zimmer, who also composed the soundtrack for the Batman trilogy, suited the action-packed visuals, and eerie atmosphere that the dystopian world created. In addition to the the narrative was particularly interesting as it raised issues/debates on whether we should continue developing "androids" to the point where they almost eradicate and replace the human race. Blade Runner 2049 review – a future classic The review talks ...

Suicide scene https://vimeo.com/215612874 Media Language and Forms (inc CLAMPS) At the beginning of the scene we hear Clay's voice narrating the events that unfolded, the day Hannah decided to commit suicide- "...she went back home, put on some old clothes". She turns the bathroom tap on and pick us a "box of razor blades, that she got from her parents store". In this shot we see her examining the blade, and feeling the sharpness of it with her thumb. She stares into the mirror with a blank expression, fitting the dull/ gloomy mood of the bathroom setting. Her grey top (which appears to be worn backwards) signifies her lack of attention to her appearance and suggests that she does not want to be associated with a typical high school girl. However her brightly colored, ultramarine, nail polish reinforces the particularly feminine traits of her character. Perhaps, the portrayal of this femininity , is significant as it shows how the issues she fac...

Talk about it This film is about a young black man growing up in a poor area of an American city. Based on other films you have seen, what expectations do you have about its main character, and the sort of film this may be? I expected the film to be about the main character overcoming the obstacles he faced throughout his life and possibly even moving out of the "poor area" to pursue his dreams. However after watching the film it did not conform to the typical expectations and instead showed how Chiron grew up in a place that he's always felt uncomfortable with, but still managed to outgrow his fear of discrimination. Discussion points • Chiron is a character of few words. Why is this? How do the three actors use body language to communicate Chiron’s emotions to the audience? Why is he reluctant to make eye contact with people? Chirons character doesn't talk to people as he doesn't trust them. Also if he did he believes that they would not understand the ...