Messages and context within a culture

MACRO (bigger things) :

Genre

Narrative

Style

Representation          

Authorship 

Themes   

Link all of above to the messages of the films. 

Culture 

Society

Politics 

Country

All affect the message of the film. 

Captain America: 

Overview: 

Explores different continents as it includes other countries etc, this broadens the audience. 

The hero is American; portraying America as the super power

Male: physically powerful. 

1.What makes the character a hero?

The style of costume shows that he is strong etc. At the beginning of the trailer he is portrayed as weak by wearing only underwear this shows his vulnerability and weakness, towards the end his costume design becomes stronger and prominent.  

Male: physically powerful. 

American hero: US protect humanity the world. 

The hero must sacrifice something in order to become a hero he/she must have morals (interpretation between right and wrong). Their morality comes from the characters text. 

The message of the film portrays that the average joe can only fight back with super power which makes the audience feels weak, the message is to not fight back unless to have a super power: a personification of America 

2.Why are costume and style important?

The costume and style portrays him as the hero and makes it clear who is the villain. 

His costume is the American patriotic flag. 

3.Who are we aligned with? 

We feel for the hero at the beginning the of film as he is portrayed as weak and rejected.  

You align yourself with captain America as it is between him or the Nazis. The audience align with the underdog. 

4.What is being re-presented (repeated) ? 

Iron Man:

What makes the character a hero? 

Tiny Stark: only succeeded as a hero due to his money, intelligence and technology; THE AMERICAN DREAM

Why are costume and style important?

Protects himself and portrays he will protect others too 

Transformers: 

What makes the character a hero?

The people are portrayed as normal people therefore we relate to them. The definition of the hero is not so clear. 

Why are costume and style so important? 

The costume of the people relates them as normal as they are wearing typical clothes therefore the audience can connect with them. 

The costume of the transformers distances them from the audience, portraying them as deviant/the villain 

Franchise: selling a product rather than a film; sequels/ three films from one 

What is being re-presented through all of these films? 

We do not negotiate  with terrorists. The message throughout all of the films is violence is necessary. 

This is most likely to justify the US's actions. America is almost a prison state. Justify the idea of safety. 9/11 has made America feel so insecure. 

People vs. The government : one must fend for themselves 

Stock characters