I think that the grade which i was given for my interim was fair [C] and it is the grade i am working at at the moment. The reasons which i think which may have affected me from getting a higher grade was maybe my attendance as i have missed some lessons, and possibly my writing ability. I know what i need to fix up on and improve in order to increase my grade.
Three Targets:
- Research more on independant study topic
- Attend as much lessons as possible
- Work on writing style and ability.
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Monday, 26 November 2007
Blog Buddy Meeting
The three points that me and manveer discussed were as follows:
1) Representation of Men:Throughout both of our texts the representation of men is a key factor which we both need to look into. Therefore we will be looking at factors such as how the representations of these men have changed throughout time. For example, in "Dhoom 2" the representations of men have changed over time such as the way they are not completely leading the story, and how their attire has changed. In "Coach Carter", the men start to get represented as a team and strong black males instead of being shown as not so highly profiled characters who have a weak role in the movie.
2) Representation of Women:A woman is another factor which is important as their roles have changed dramatically over time as well as their representations. Dhoom 2 shows women taking more involvement in the narrative compared to how they were portrayed before and Coach Carter portray women such as "Ashanti" as a typical black young woman who gets pregnant at a young age by her black boyfriend therefore showing irresponsibility.
3) Representation of Asians:Many believe that Asians have started to be represented as British citizens. In Dhoom 2 Asians are no longer the Asians you would see in classic movies such as “Sholay”. This has no link to my study however we believe that by covering both Asians and Black people we can help each other better. By getting Basran’s opinions on my study and my opinions on Basran's study.
Summary:
We worked well together but we had a few problems with communicating with eachother and this may occur every now and again and we therefore need to have completed the work in SCHOOL hours which once again may be a problem as our time tables differ and we just have to sort it out between ourselves which at times also meens we do not have enough time to PROPERLY thin through what we are going to be doing... so far its alright and we'll see how we progress together throughout this course!...
1) Representation of Men:Throughout both of our texts the representation of men is a key factor which we both need to look into. Therefore we will be looking at factors such as how the representations of these men have changed throughout time. For example, in "Dhoom 2" the representations of men have changed over time such as the way they are not completely leading the story, and how their attire has changed. In "Coach Carter", the men start to get represented as a team and strong black males instead of being shown as not so highly profiled characters who have a weak role in the movie.
2) Representation of Women:A woman is another factor which is important as their roles have changed dramatically over time as well as their representations. Dhoom 2 shows women taking more involvement in the narrative compared to how they were portrayed before and Coach Carter portray women such as "Ashanti" as a typical black young woman who gets pregnant at a young age by her black boyfriend therefore showing irresponsibility.
3) Representation of Asians:Many believe that Asians have started to be represented as British citizens. In Dhoom 2 Asians are no longer the Asians you would see in classic movies such as “Sholay”. This has no link to my study however we believe that by covering both Asians and Black people we can help each other better. By getting Basran’s opinions on my study and my opinions on Basran's study.
Summary:
We worked well together but we had a few problems with communicating with eachother and this may occur every now and again and we therefore need to have completed the work in SCHOOL hours which once again may be a problem as our time tables differ and we just have to sort it out between ourselves which at times also meens we do not have enough time to PROPERLY thin through what we are going to be doing... so far its alright and we'll see how we progress together throughout this course!...
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Links
1) This link gives the views of the black women and the negative representations which are attached to their race.
2) This site shows views on black people and consists of a number of statistics to back up its views.
3) This link is an article about a black man and how he feels that people are scared of him due to his features.
4) This link shows an article to how the negative representation of black people have had an effect on teenagers at parties.
5) This website shows how white people are shown as acting black through their hobbies
6) This article shows interesting views on how Transformers shows racism.
7) This site shows how white people are affected by black stereotypes.
8) This article shows how black men feel about the views on them
9) This link shows the daily struggle and the reactions of these stereotypes.
10)This site has a number of opinions and views on being a black man.
2) This site shows views on black people and consists of a number of statistics to back up its views.
3) This link is an article about a black man and how he feels that people are scared of him due to his features.
4) This link shows an article to how the negative representation of black people have had an effect on teenagers at parties.
5) This website shows how white people are shown as acting black through their hobbies
6) This article shows interesting views on how Transformers shows racism.
7) This site shows how white people are affected by black stereotypes.
8) This article shows how black men feel about the views on them
9) This link shows the daily struggle and the reactions of these stereotypes.
10)This site has a number of opinions and views on being a black man.
Findings from books
Nelmes, Jill (1999), "An Introduction to Film Studies", Routledge, U.K.
Black Feminist theory has found it problematic to apply what could be termed white, bourgeois film theory to an ethnic group which is so noticeably under-represented in film. A movie called "The Colour Purple" contained a number of stereotypical images of black people and their culture, it was filmed by a white male director named Steven Speilberg. Jacqueline Bobo conducted group interviews to analyse the responses of the black people from the film. Many of the black women said that they could relate to the movie - this was the audiences response of the text. This is important for me as this response of the audience can be compared to the audiences response to the text i am studying as well as others.
Black Feminist theory has found it problematic to apply what could be termed white, bourgeois film theory to an ethnic group which is so noticeably under-represented in film. A movie called "The Colour Purple" contained a number of stereotypical images of black people and their culture, it was filmed by a white male director named Steven Speilberg. Jacqueline Bobo conducted group interviews to analyse the responses of the black people from the film. Many of the black women said that they could relate to the movie - this was the audiences response of the text. This is important for me as this response of the audience can be compared to the audiences response to the text i am studying as well as others.
10 key words again...
1) Hybrid Genre- this term is a cross between one film genre and another.
This term relates to coach carter as it is a mix between a melodrama genre and a sports genre.
2) Positive values- to educate to inform, to create sympathy, to encourage social or political change.
This term relates to coach carter as the movie aims to send out these types of messages to its target audience.
3) Bullet theory- idea that audiences merely absorb dominant ideologies in a passive way.
This relates to coach carter as the movie aims to feed the audience of the dominant races in society - how one race is inferior to another, also, ideologies on education, and youth.
4) Biopic: a film which is based on a biography of a real person. This relates to my study as the movie is a true story based on Coach Ken Carter5) Coming-of-age film: A movie that deals with the difficulties of growing up.
This relates to my study as the movie deals with how teenagers are growing up in a rough area which in this case is Richmond.
6) Social realism: representation of characters and issues to raise serious issues.
This relates to coach as the topic and message of the movie relates to serious issues in society and this term therefore could prove to be useful when writing my independent study.
7) Hegemony- controlling people is easier by getting them to agree with the ideologies rather then forcing them upon the audience it is more effective this way.
This relates to my study as the movie aims to get the audience to agree with the ideologies through the which is important as the movie is a true story so the audience would agree to the ideologies easier.
8) Marxism- media texts within society, maintain social divide. Keep the rich rich and the poor poor. Media producers produce texts from the change in society. This is where the bosses and upper classes would be the bourgeosie, and the working class would be the proleteriat.
Coach carter is based on ideologies and values which is set by the people who are in power in the society for example the upper class white. These standards are set by the upper classes and the proleteriat must follow them.
9) Viacom – A media corporation, it owns Paramount, CBS, MTV and Blockbuster Video.
This relates to my independent study because it owns the institution of the movie Coach carter which is MTV.
10) American Nightmare: This was a phrase used by a politician called Malcolm X (1925-1965) to express his inequalities experienced by black Americans.
This relates to my study as my study is about how black people are treated unfairly in society.
This term relates to coach carter as it is a mix between a melodrama genre and a sports genre.
2) Positive values- to educate to inform, to create sympathy, to encourage social or political change.
This term relates to coach carter as the movie aims to send out these types of messages to its target audience.
3) Bullet theory- idea that audiences merely absorb dominant ideologies in a passive way.
This relates to coach carter as the movie aims to feed the audience of the dominant races in society - how one race is inferior to another, also, ideologies on education, and youth.
4) Biopic: a film which is based on a biography of a real person. This relates to my study as the movie is a true story based on Coach Ken Carter5) Coming-of-age film: A movie that deals with the difficulties of growing up.
This relates to my study as the movie deals with how teenagers are growing up in a rough area which in this case is Richmond.
6) Social realism: representation of characters and issues to raise serious issues.
This relates to coach as the topic and message of the movie relates to serious issues in society and this term therefore could prove to be useful when writing my independent study.
7) Hegemony- controlling people is easier by getting them to agree with the ideologies rather then forcing them upon the audience it is more effective this way.
This relates to my study as the movie aims to get the audience to agree with the ideologies through the which is important as the movie is a true story so the audience would agree to the ideologies easier.
8) Marxism- media texts within society, maintain social divide. Keep the rich rich and the poor poor. Media producers produce texts from the change in society. This is where the bosses and upper classes would be the bourgeosie, and the working class would be the proleteriat.
Coach carter is based on ideologies and values which is set by the people who are in power in the society for example the upper class white. These standards are set by the upper classes and the proleteriat must follow them.
9) Viacom – A media corporation, it owns Paramount, CBS, MTV and Blockbuster Video.
This relates to my independent study because it owns the institution of the movie Coach carter which is MTV.
10) American Nightmare: This was a phrase used by a politician called Malcolm X (1925-1965) to express his inequalities experienced by black Americans.
This relates to my study as my study is about how black people are treated unfairly in society.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Blog Buddy Research Task
Representation of black people in film
The intial cinematic silent period is important when discussing stereotypes and roles of black characters in film. The reason, according to Donald Bogle, is that the five basic stereotypes (Toms, Mulattoes, Mammies, Bucks and Coons) which would from then on dominate the African-Americans on screen, were introduced at that time.
The first black American character was portrayed on screen in the short motion picture 'Uncle Toms Cabin' by Edwin S Porter in 1903. Ironically and most likely due to the racial tensions of that time, the actor portraying the black man on screen was actually an unnamed white actor using make up to give himself a black face. The various stereotypes initially created through white actors portraying black characters were all used for the same outcome, the desire to entertain a predominantly white audience by creating, emphasising and enhancing the negative social ideologies toward african americans of the time, in which they were clearly regarded inferior to thier white colonialists (due to the slave era) and thus conveyed so onscreen.
As societies changed and time moved on African Americans were finally given the change to play the parts of black characters in film. Thus giving the characters more depth and realistic plausibility than the previous white actors with black faces, and became a ground breaking opportunity for Afican Amrican actors to become new stars within the movie industry. However unfortunately, many actors even till today find it hard to play dynamic, thought provoking, stimulating or any other diverse parts, and instead find themselves struggling to break free from the stereotypes they became wedged into, due to the creation of the five basic and solid stereotypes created previously by thier white co-actors, writers and directors.
The intial cinematic silent period is important when discussing stereotypes and roles of black characters in film. The reason, according to Donald Bogle, is that the five basic stereotypes (Toms, Mulattoes, Mammies, Bucks and Coons) which would from then on dominate the African-Americans on screen, were introduced at that time.
The first black American character was portrayed on screen in the short motion picture 'Uncle Toms Cabin' by Edwin S Porter in 1903. Ironically and most likely due to the racial tensions of that time, the actor portraying the black man on screen was actually an unnamed white actor using make up to give himself a black face. The various stereotypes initially created through white actors portraying black characters were all used for the same outcome, the desire to entertain a predominantly white audience by creating, emphasising and enhancing the negative social ideologies toward african americans of the time, in which they were clearly regarded inferior to thier white colonialists (due to the slave era) and thus conveyed so onscreen.
As societies changed and time moved on African Americans were finally given the change to play the parts of black characters in film. Thus giving the characters more depth and realistic plausibility than the previous white actors with black faces, and became a ground breaking opportunity for Afican Amrican actors to become new stars within the movie industry. However unfortunately, many actors even till today find it hard to play dynamic, thought provoking, stimulating or any other diverse parts, and instead find themselves struggling to break free from the stereotypes they became wedged into, due to the creation of the five basic and solid stereotypes created previously by thier white co-actors, writers and directors.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Bibliography Books
1) Malik, Sarita (2002): Representing Black Britain - Black and Asian Males on Television, U.K, Sage Publications.
2) Ferguson, Robert (1998): Representing 'Race', U.K, Arnold Publications.
3) Mackinnon, Kenneth (2003): Representing Men - Malesness and Masculinity in the Media. Great Britain, Arnold Publication
4) Marsh, Peter and Cambell, Anne (1982): Agression and Violence, Great Britain, Basil Blackwell Publications.
5) Pieterse, Jan Nederveen (1992) White on Black: Images of Africa and Blacks in WEstern Popular Culture. New Haven, CT and London, Yale University Press.
6) Pines, Jim (1975) Blacks in Film: A Survey of Racial Themes and Images in American Film, London, Studio Vista.
7) Rees, Bob and Sherwood, Marika (1992): Black Peoples of the Americas, Harcourt Heinemann.
8) Munford, Clarence (1996): Race and Representations: A Black Perspective for the 21st Century, Africa World Press.
9) Gordon, Lewis (1995): Bad Faith and Antiblack Racism, Prometheus Book Publishers.
10) Fanon, Frantz (1986) Black Skins, White Masks, Pluto Press.
2) Ferguson, Robert (1998): Representing 'Race', U.K, Arnold Publications.
3) Mackinnon, Kenneth (2003): Representing Men - Malesness and Masculinity in the Media. Great Britain, Arnold Publication
4) Marsh, Peter and Cambell, Anne (1982): Agression and Violence, Great Britain, Basil Blackwell Publications.
5) Pieterse, Jan Nederveen (1992) White on Black: Images of Africa and Blacks in WEstern Popular Culture. New Haven, CT and London, Yale University Press.
6) Pines, Jim (1975) Blacks in Film: A Survey of Racial Themes and Images in American Film, London, Studio Vista.
7) Rees, Bob and Sherwood, Marika (1992): Black Peoples of the Americas, Harcourt Heinemann.
8) Munford, Clarence (1996): Race and Representations: A Black Perspective for the 21st Century, Africa World Press.
9) Gordon, Lewis (1995): Bad Faith and Antiblack Racism, Prometheus Book Publishers.
10) Fanon, Frantz (1986) Black Skins, White Masks, Pluto Press.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Task 9 - Blog Buddies
From my own class, i have decided to chose Manveer as my blog buddy. One of the main reasons i have chosen her is because her research is based on representations which is the same as my own. we are both looking at representations but the difference is that i am looking at black youths and she is looking at asians. Areas of overlap include that we both look at the social issues of how certain factors are changing in society and this topic raises alot of debates. Whilst looking through Manveers blog i noticed that many of our key terms are similar such as Deviance. Furthermore, some of the research which she has done is likely to be similar to mine in terms of representations, this is because our topics have alot in common when it comes to representation of certain people.
My blog buddy from the other class is going to be Anjali. Her study is also based on coach carter which is a key reason as to why i have chosen her. We are both focusing on how the youths in the movie are represented therefore alot of our research and information is going to be alike. Also, since i am chosing somebody whose is very similar to my own, we can look at eachothers blog more frequently and learn from eachother as all together we may have alot more information. therefore i can look at her blog and think about whether i am considering the same issues as hers. Moreover, her institution is obviously the same as mynes and our key words are going to be much more similar then anybody else. In conclusion, i think that this blog will be very helpful to my independant study more then any other.
My blog buddy from the other class is going to be Anjali. Her study is also based on coach carter which is a key reason as to why i have chosen her. We are both focusing on how the youths in the movie are represented therefore alot of our research and information is going to be alike. Also, since i am chosing somebody whose is very similar to my own, we can look at eachothers blog more frequently and learn from eachother as all together we may have alot more information. therefore i can look at her blog and think about whether i am considering the same issues as hers. Moreover, her institution is obviously the same as mynes and our key words are going to be much more similar then anybody else. In conclusion, i think that this blog will be very helpful to my independant study more then any other.
Friday, 26 October 2007
Self-Directed Research
I have done some research on my own regarding my independant study, however i think i need to do more in reference to my question. here is the research which i have conducted my self.
http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/coach-carter/2973
This is a review based on the movie coach carter. This allows me to get other peoples views on the movie and what they would rate the movie.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=coachcarter.htm
This is a link which shows how much money the film made internationally and domestically, this information is very useful as it shows me how successful the film was and indicates how much of an impact it could have on the audience.
http://www.coachcarter.com/peoplemag.htm - Article - Give me an A
Above is a link to one of the articles i found which was published when the actual lock out had occured. this information is vital as it tells me what the thoughts of the community where whilst the event occured.
http://www.coachcarter.com/cnn-news.htm - Article -High school coach imposes own basketball lockout when grades slip
Here is a link to one of the articles i found which was published when the actual lock out had occured. this information is vital as it tells me what the thoughts of the community where whilst the event occured.
http://www.coachcarter.com/endless.htm - Article - Coach Ken Carter shows his players much tough love
http://www.coachcarter.com/latimes.htm - Artitcle - Benching Dream Team Was Right Move.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/02/02/coach_carter_2005_review.shtml - BBC Review by Neil Smith
Above is a review by the BBC, this is important as it gives me the view of a large institution on the movie and what kind of an affect it has had on them. The person who has conducted the review is Neil Smith from the BBC.
http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/coach-carter/2973
This is a review based on the movie coach carter. This allows me to get other peoples views on the movie and what they would rate the movie.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=coachcarter.htm
This is a link which shows how much money the film made internationally and domestically, this information is very useful as it shows me how successful the film was and indicates how much of an impact it could have on the audience.
http://www.coachcarter.com/peoplemag.htm - Article - Give me an A
Above is a link to one of the articles i found which was published when the actual lock out had occured. this information is vital as it tells me what the thoughts of the community where whilst the event occured.
http://www.coachcarter.com/cnn-news.htm - Article -
http://www.coachcarter.com/endless.htm - Article - Coach Ken Carter shows his players much tough love
http://www.coachcarter.com/latimes.htm - Artitcle - Benching Dream Team Was Right Move.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/02/02/coach_carter_2005_review.shtml - BBC Review by Neil Smith
Above is a review by the BBC, this is important as it gives me the view of a large institution on the movie and what kind of an affect it has had on them. The person who has conducted the review is Neil Smith from the BBC.
10 key words! again...
1) Epic- a big budget film where there is a big cast and when a powerful theme/message is passed throughout the movie.
This relates to my study as the movie Coach Carter has a big cast where a powerful theme/message is passed.
2) Mise en scene- the way in which the elements and components in the film are set out and included by the camera.
I will be relating to the mise en scene in my study as I will be focusing on the appearance of the characters in terms of their clothing for example their hoodies and caps etc. This relates the mise en scene as it comes under the costume category of mise en scene.
3) Representation- this is where the media construct views of people, events and places in images words or sound for transmission through media texts to an audience.
I will be challenging how the typical representations of black males are challenged in my study therefore this term is vital and should be referred to a lot throughout my study.
4) Teen movie- a movie which is specifically targeted at a target audience of teenagers and addresses a range of teenage interests.
This relates my study as the movie which my study is based on is a teen movie which is Coach Carter.
5) Racism- a form of discrimination based on race, and on opinions that one race is superior to another.
This relates to my study as I will be trying to figure out how much racism is shown in Coach Carter and what kind of effects that racism has on the black people.
6) Objectivity: a text which is being objective and neutral without being biased.
This relates to my study as it is based on the life of Coach Ken Carter and represents the life of stereotypical black youths.
7) White balance: the setting of the camera in order to match the source of light and therefore ensure good quality pictures.
This relates to my study as there are a number of scenes in coach carter that uses this kind of a setting in order to make the characters stand out therefore this term could be used in my study.
8) Attitudes, beliefs and values- this term is commonly used when discussing the audience for media products and the factors influencing the reception of media messages.
This term is related to my study as these are some of the factors which influence the characters in Coach Carter such as the attitudes of the teenagers due to the values that have been passed down to them.
9) Social realism: representation of characters and issues to raise serious issues.
This relates to my study as the topic and message of the movie relates to serious issues in society and this term therefore could prove to be useful when writing my independent study.
10) Method acting: actors really get in to that character and they act as that character physically, emotionally and psychologically.
This relates to my study as the actors in the movie really seem to get into character and act their role out effectively as it may relate to their everyday lives.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Evaluations
Attainment - 3 -
i think that the work which i produce is of a good standard but i can improve on it alot more.
Effort - 2 -
i put alot of effort into my classwork and homework but i can still work harder to improve.
Punctuality - 3 -
i am sometimes late to lessons
Submission and quality of homework - 2 -
i try and complete my homework on time and to a very good standard.
Ability to work independently - 2 -
i believe i can work harder when working alone to avoid distractions
Quality of writing - 3 - i think my quality of writing is good but it can be improved alot more!
Organisation of Media folder - 1 -
all work is put into a folder in an order where the newest pieces of work is at the top so its easy to refer to.
Oral contributions in class - 3 -
i usually contribute in class but can talk more
Standard of Module 5 blog - 2 -
i think my blog is of a good standard and includes alot of relevant research and information.
Standard of Module 6 blog - 4 -
this blog needs to be improved alot more as alot of my work was on a presentation.
WWW - my organisation of my folder is excellent
- my module 5 work is of a very good standard
- i think my independant work is of a good standard as i am fully focussed on the task.
EBI - I need to improve my module 6 blog
- improve module 6 blog
- continue to put in more effort and produce better quality of work.
i think that the work which i produce is of a good standard but i can improve on it alot more.
Effort - 2 -
i put alot of effort into my classwork and homework but i can still work harder to improve.
Punctuality - 3 -
i am sometimes late to lessons
Submission and quality of homework - 2 -
i try and complete my homework on time and to a very good standard.
Ability to work independently - 2 -
i believe i can work harder when working alone to avoid distractions
Quality of writing - 3 - i think my quality of writing is good but it can be improved alot more!
Organisation of Media folder - 1 -
all work is put into a folder in an order where the newest pieces of work is at the top so its easy to refer to.
Oral contributions in class - 3 -
i usually contribute in class but can talk more
Standard of Module 5 blog - 2 -
i think my blog is of a good standard and includes alot of relevant research and information.
Standard of Module 6 blog - 4 -
this blog needs to be improved alot more as alot of my work was on a presentation.
WWW - my organisation of my folder is excellent
- my module 5 work is of a very good standard
- i think my independant work is of a good standard as i am fully focussed on the task.
EBI - I need to improve my module 6 blog
- improve module 6 blog
- continue to put in more effort and produce better quality of work.
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Close Textual Analysis
The text is the opening sequence from the movie Coach Carter (2005) which is a film made by MTV. The clip begins with the title sequence and whilst the clip is playing urban music is played. This music immediately hints out the audience which the movie is aimed at as it is urbanized and also hints the genre of the movie once the institution is shown. The first character shown in the movie is the coach himself; whilst the coach is shown the cinematography is shown as there a fast cuts between the scene showing the coach and the basketball team playing a match. These fast cuts are aimed at a teenage audience as teenagers are believed to have a short attention span and therefore these fast cuts will keep them occupied as well as the music playing.
As the coach walks into the gym to watch the match there are a number of different camera shots shown. One of these is a low angle shot, low angle shots of the coach are shown as he watches the team losing the basketball match. This kind of a shot is used to show the coach as the superior figure to the audience compared to the rest of the team and therefore again hints him as the teams saviour. Furthermore, through the use of the basketball game, this scene shows the audience that the genre of the movie and the narrative is going to revolve around this sport.
Alot of urban clothing is shown during the basketball match such as hoodies, baseball caps, baggy clothing etc. This could be argued to be expected whilst playing a sport but extra accessories such as designer head bands and sweat bands implicate that the image of these teenagers are that they are represented as urbanized youths who could possibly be carrying out deviant activities which would therefore disappoint the community. Another factor of representation is when during the match one of the players has a little bit of conflict with the opposite team and the rest of the team run in from the sideline to start a fight. This scene clearly shows how the teenagers have grown up and how they are following the stereotypical representations which have been labeled upon them.
These representations could possible create a moral panic in society as the teenagers would then lead to crime and deviance and commit anti social behavior. This would then make the society believe in these stereotypes of the youths and this would add to the history of young black males as they are known historically for committing crimes etc.
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
10 Key Words
1. American Nightmare: This was a phrase used by a politician called Malcolm X (1925-1965) to express his inequalities experienced by black Americans. This relates to my study as my study is about how black people are treated unfairly in society.
2. Biopic: a film which is based on a biography of a real person. This relates to my study as the movie is a true story based on Coach Ken Carter
3. Coming-of-age film: A movie that deals with the difficulties of growing up. This relates to my study as the movie deals with how teenagers are growing up in a rough area which in this case is Richmond.
4. Deviance: Behaviour which is not generally accepted in society. This relates to my study as this is what the students used to do before the coach entered the scene e.g. crime.
5. MTV (Music Television): A TV channel recognised worldwide founded in 1981 and is owned by Viacom. This relates to my study as MTV is the institution for the Coach Carter movie.
6. Realism: a film that attempts to represent the real world. This relates to my study as the message which is passed in Coach Carter represents the real world.
7. Stereotype: A fixed view on someone or a group of people. This relates to my study as the black stereotypes are challenged in Coach Carter.
8. Viacom – A media corporation, it owns Paramount, CBS, MTV and Blockbuster Video. This relates to my independent study because it owns the institution of the movie Coach carter which is MTV.
9. Youth Culture – A range of youth subcultures and how they are judged, e.g. dress, behaviour etc. This relates to my study as it is what the youths in the movie are categorized into.
10. Hero – Male or female protagonist in any narrative. This relates to my study as Coach Carter is seen as the only hero but there is no villain therefore it does not follow Propps theory of a hero and a villain.
2. Biopic: a film which is based on a biography of a real person. This relates to my study as the movie is a true story based on Coach Ken Carter
3. Coming-of-age film: A movie that deals with the difficulties of growing up. This relates to my study as the movie deals with how teenagers are growing up in a rough area which in this case is Richmond.
4. Deviance: Behaviour which is not generally accepted in society. This relates to my study as this is what the students used to do before the coach entered the scene e.g. crime.
5. MTV (Music Television): A TV channel recognised worldwide founded in 1981 and is owned by Viacom. This relates to my study as MTV is the institution for the Coach Carter movie.
6. Realism: a film that attempts to represent the real world. This relates to my study as the message which is passed in Coach Carter represents the real world.
7. Stereotype: A fixed view on someone or a group of people. This relates to my study as the black stereotypes are challenged in Coach Carter.
8. Viacom – A media corporation, it owns Paramount, CBS, MTV and Blockbuster Video. This relates to my independent study because it owns the institution of the movie Coach carter which is MTV.
9. Youth Culture – A range of youth subcultures and how they are judged, e.g. dress, behaviour etc. This relates to my study as it is what the youths in the movie are categorized into.
10. Hero – Male or female protagonist in any narrative. This relates to my study as Coach Carter is seen as the only hero but there is no villain therefore it does not follow Propps theory of a hero and a villain.
Sunday, 7 October 2007
10 delicious tags
This article talks about how the parent company that owns MTV doesn't care about black people. i can use quote lines from this article to use in my independent study.
This article i found shows how the black stereotypes are changing. i can use this as my question is based on how the negative stereotypes are challenged.
This link i found shows how black people are represented in the dominant media.
This article shows how black men feel about the labels attached to them
This article i found in CNN shows how the community reacted to the representations of black people at parties
This article shows how Latino immigrants identify more with white people and therefore bring negative stereotypes about black people in the U.S
This site shows how the black females are also negatively represented
This site shows views on black people with some stats
This article is regarding a mans fear of black people and what it supposedly made him do
This website shows how white people are shown as acting black through their hobbies
This article i found shows how the black stereotypes are changing. i can use this as my question is based on how the negative stereotypes are challenged.
This link i found shows how black people are represented in the dominant media.
This article shows how black men feel about the labels attached to them
This article i found in CNN shows how the community reacted to the representations of black people at parties
This article shows how Latino immigrants identify more with white people and therefore bring negative stereotypes about black people in the U.S
This site shows how the black females are also negatively represented
This site shows views on black people with some stats
This article is regarding a mans fear of black people and what it supposedly made him do
This website shows how white people are shown as acting black through their hobbies
Sunday, 30 September 2007
This clip above is towards the end of the film during the gym lockout. The lockout is voted to end and as the coach walks into the gym he finds all of the students with their teachers studying and completing their work in order to meet the contracts which they had signed earlier on in the year. Throughout the movie, the coach keeps on asking this student "What is your deepest fear" and the student never replies. However, in this scene the student replies and tells the coach "Our deepest fear". This is the same student who attempts to hit the coach at the start of the movie. Therefore this clip shows how the coach has changed the attitudes of the students and how the stereotypes and representations are now being challenged instead of followed.
The video above shows the first meeting between the Richmond basketball team, and their new coach. In the clip one of the students shows attitude to the coach and treats him like a man of his own age as he talks disrespectfully, eventually the student attempts to punch the coach, and the coach blocks the punch and pushes the student into the wall. This clip clearly outlines the manners which the students in Richmond have been brought up with and follows the representations and stereotypes which have been attached to them.
Above we can see a clip from the movie coach carter. the clip shows some of the negative attention the coach received from the residents in Richmond for locking up the gym and forfeiting matches. In the clip, a man confirms with the coach whether he is coach carter or not and once the coach replies yes, the man attempts to spit on the coach but manages to spit on the window. the coach reacts by getting out of his car and is confronting the man and then his son steps out of the car and holds him back as the resident drives off. this clip reflects the manners which the elders have been brought up with in Richmond, it shows how immaturely the man handles a situation and it says something about the role models that the teenagers are meant to look up to.
Analysis
To what extent is the stereotypical representation of black people challenged with particular reference to Coach Carter (2005)
Media Language
Media Language
•Alot of urban clothing is shown at the start of the movie such as hoodies, baseball caps, baggy clothing etc. Props such as guns are used to canote violence and danger, as well as drug dealing - stereotypical view of a young black adult
•A number of different camera shots are used throughout the movie, there are a number of long shots used whilst showing the Richmond basketball team, and this has been done in order to present the team as a whole.. Close ups are used in a number of scenes in order to show the facial expressions of the students when they are rude to their basketball coach.
•The movie is set in Richmond, California, USA
Institution
Genre
Representation
Audience
Ideology
Narrative
Social
Historical
Institution
•MTV
•Domestic –
•Opening Weekend: $24,182,961(2,524 theaters, $9,581 average)% of Total Gross: 36.0%Widest Release: 2,574 theaters
•Overall Domestic: $67,264,877 87.7%
•Internationally: $9,404,929 12.3%
•Worldwide: $76,669,806
•As shown above, the movie did not do as well internationally as it did domestically.
Genre
•Genre: Drama/Sport
•Coach Carter is not no ordinary movie with a message but it is a movie based on a passionate basketball coach who locks up their school gym and cancels matches as the team do not perform academically. It consists of skilful basketball matches and a turn of events that you wouldn't see in any usual sport movie.
Representation
•Black people are first represented as promoting anti-social behaviour, one of the ways in which this is shown in the movie is through drug dealing, violence and with use of props such as guns. Anti-social behaviour is also shown when one of the students shows attitude to the coach and tries to hit him in the face but the coach grabs him and pushes him into the wall.
•Throughout the movie, the representations of black males is challenged as the students begin to focus on their school work and they stop the violence and crime due to the guidance of the coach.
Audience
•Teenagers – sends a message to teenagers which is stay out of trouble and show commitment towards school work before any hobbies.
•Adults – kind of creates a moral panic that the students of today are not focusing in school academically as they are too busy doing something else.
•Sports/basketball fans – movie is aimed at fans as they may be interested in basketball and might want to see the matches played and the tricks of the game.
•MTV generation – a lot of urban clothing and urban slang used such as the “N” word therefore this may interest the urban MTV crowd
Ideology
Men are shown as the match winners as they are playing and winning the basketball matches where as the women are shown as cheerleaders who support the men, therefore this film could promote patriarchal values.
Narrative
•Coach Carter doesn’t follow Propps theory of character roles as there is no real villain in the movie, however, Coach Carter could be argued to be the hero of the movie as he is the one who leads the team through the season and improves their academic skills.
Social
Raises a moral panic - Alerts society that students go to school to learn. if academic results are not good enough, then other activities should be banned.
Historical
•Black youths have been known to be abusive and violent in the past and this movie challenges this stereotype as the students who start off as following the negative black stereotype later challenge it.
Monday, 24 September 2007
BBC Review by Neil Smith
When Californian school coach Ken Carter refused to let his undefeated basketball team compete until they bettered their grades, he made headlines across America. Now his principled stand gets the Hollywood treatment in Coach Carter, a slick high-school sports story that balances the usual clichés with an unusually sophisticated, pro-education message. Think Dead Poets Society with a basketball hoop and you'll know the score in Thomas Carter's predictable but enjoyable melodrama, which gifts Samuel L Jackson an eye-catching leading role.
Jackson has taken this kind of mentor part before, most notably in 1997's teacher-goes-postal thriller 187. Here, though, he's in more fatherly mode, his stern taskmaster hiding a sentimental streak as broad as the basketball court on which he holds sway over his unruly squad of rebels. Carter brings the boys in line by calling them "Sir", punishing every offence and making them sign contracts that promise they will pull their collective fingers out in class.
"AN UNCOMMONLY SAVVY MESSAGE"
His tough-but-fair tactics immediately reap dividends in the gym as the Richmond High Oilers sweep the State Championships. But when his pupils fail to keep up their end of the bargain, our hero is forced to take drastic measures. His actions soon set him on a collision course with his charges' parents, the local community and the school board, who place more importance on sporting success than preparing its students for college.
Over long and deeply manipulative, Coach Carter should nonetheless be praised for its far-from-fashionable celebration of personal advancement through academic achievement. Its uncommonly savvy message excuses a multitude of sins - not least Jackson's grandiose speechifying and a coarse depiction of inner-city life that suggests every teenager is either an unmarried mother or a drug-dealing gangster in the making.
Jackson has taken this kind of mentor part before, most notably in 1997's teacher-goes-postal thriller 187. Here, though, he's in more fatherly mode, his stern taskmaster hiding a sentimental streak as broad as the basketball court on which he holds sway over his unruly squad of rebels. Carter brings the boys in line by calling them "Sir", punishing every offence and making them sign contracts that promise they will pull their collective fingers out in class.
"AN UNCOMMONLY SAVVY MESSAGE"
His tough-but-fair tactics immediately reap dividends in the gym as the Richmond High Oilers sweep the State Championships. But when his pupils fail to keep up their end of the bargain, our hero is forced to take drastic measures. His actions soon set him on a collision course with his charges' parents, the local community and the school board, who place more importance on sporting success than preparing its students for college.
Over long and deeply manipulative, Coach Carter should nonetheless be praised for its far-from-fashionable celebration of personal advancement through academic achievement. Its uncommonly savvy message excuses a multitude of sins - not least Jackson's grandiose speechifying and a coarse depiction of inner-city life that suggests every teenager is either an unmarried mother or a drug-dealing gangster in the making.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Media Attention
I found some newspaper articles which were printed on the front pages of newspapers during 1999 when Coach Ken Carter locked up the school gym and began to cancel matches.
•Coach Carter: “Average is just not good enough. Period."
Finances
•
•Domestic - Opening Weekend: $24,182,961(2,524 theaters, $9,581 average)% of Total Gross: 36.0%Widest Release: 2,574 theaters
•Overall Domestic: $67,264,877 87.7%
•Internationally: $9,404,929 12.3%
•Worldwide: $76,669,806
source: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=coachcarter.htm
source: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=coachcarter.htm
Review
Richmond is a troubled area. The high school dropout rate is 50 percent… and residents are more likely to go to prison than college. Teenage pregnancy is as common as the flu, which puts added pressures on an already strained economy. The stories you hear about the dangers the ghetto plays in the lives of the youth that grow there speak directly to the problems at Richmond.
Basketball is one of the few things the young men have that can take them away from the pains of reality. It stands as the highlight of a life that will likely lead to, at best, a life in poverty and at worst gangs, drugs, and an early death. So when Ken Carter, a former All-American basketball player and now small business owner in the city takes over the team, he looks to not only lead a revolution on the court, but in the lives of the men who play for him.
Carter, a former military man, institutes a rigid routine that not only molds these boys into intense physical specimens but gives them a reason to be more. He gives them a sense of self respect. What before was a motley rabble of ego and rebellion that resulted in conflict and failure becomes a cohesive team who finds success both on and off the court.
The movie itself is structured in such a way as to focus on the infamous lock-out of 1999. In that year, as the players failed in the classroom, Carter took the plan to the next level. He declared that the team would forfeit their next games, an amazing feat during a season that had been, until then, perfect. The backlash from the community, who saw only the failure of the basketball team and not the successes of its players, was immense. The players, on the other hand, seeing their progress and buying in to the coach´s plan, stuck by his side. In the end, the young men who were written off before they were born were suddenly something more. They were students, they were athletes, and they were men.
source: http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/coach-carter/2973
Basketball is one of the few things the young men have that can take them away from the pains of reality. It stands as the highlight of a life that will likely lead to, at best, a life in poverty and at worst gangs, drugs, and an early death. So when Ken Carter, a former All-American basketball player and now small business owner in the city takes over the team, he looks to not only lead a revolution on the court, but in the lives of the men who play for him.
Carter, a former military man, institutes a rigid routine that not only molds these boys into intense physical specimens but gives them a reason to be more. He gives them a sense of self respect. What before was a motley rabble of ego and rebellion that resulted in conflict and failure becomes a cohesive team who finds success both on and off the court.
The movie itself is structured in such a way as to focus on the infamous lock-out of 1999. In that year, as the players failed in the classroom, Carter took the plan to the next level. He declared that the team would forfeit their next games, an amazing feat during a season that had been, until then, perfect. The backlash from the community, who saw only the failure of the basketball team and not the successes of its players, was immense. The players, on the other hand, seeing their progress and buying in to the coach´s plan, stuck by his side. In the end, the young men who were written off before they were born were suddenly something more. They were students, they were athletes, and they were men.
source: http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/coach-carter/2973
This image shows the baggy and urban clothing worn by the black youths in the movie and how they begin to follow the typical stereotypes which they have been given. i chose this image because it shows the personality of the man above and how it changes throughout the movie. 
This image shows the expression of coach Carter when his team wins their first game of the season. The team lost 22 games and only had 4 wins in the previous season before coach Carter arrived. 
This is an image of a game which the team wins in a tournament as they keep on progressing and winning matches under coach Carter.
This is an image of Coach Ken Carter, his role is played by Samuel L Jackson in the movie. The movie is based on a true story in which Richmond High School (Richmond, California, USA) head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.
Proposal
To what extent is the stereotypical representation of black people challenged with particular reference to Coach Carter (2005)
Director: Thomas Carter
Genre: Drama/Sport
Hypothesis: the stereotypical representation of black people is challenged in Coach Carter
Media Language: Alot of urban clothing is shown at the start of the movie such as hoodies, baseball caps, baggy clothing etc. Props such as guns are used to canote violence and danger, as well as drug dealing - stereotypical view of a young black adult. Set in Richmond, California.
Institution: MTV
Genre: Drama/Sport
Representation: How the typical representation of black young adults is challenged in this movie.
Audience: Teenagers, adults, and sports/basketball fans. MTV generation
Ideology: Could be argued to be patriarchal as the women are shown as cheerleaders to help the men who are the players and match winners.
Narrative:
Wider Contexts
Social: Alerts society that students go to school to learn. if academic results are not good enough, then other activities should be banned.
Historical: Black youths have been known to be abusive and violent in the past and this movie challenges this stereotype.
Theorists: Todorov
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