The Times and The Daily Mirror - Media Set Product 5 and 6

Analysing bias and the construction of representation in    The Times and The Daily Mirror
(Wed, 13, March 2019)

  

The Daily Mirror

• There is a Masthead on the top right of the newspaper, it is in bold (colour red) and is large for the reader to see. The name 'daily mirror' suggests that it is a reflection of everyday.
• The headline, 'Brexit delay mayhem', summarises the main point of the article of being about a delay in Brexit.
• There are page numbers at the top left, 'Enders Haley glassed by thug' and at the bottom right of the main news headline.
• The target audience is working-class and over 18 because of the lexis used and the betting adverts.
• The skyline on the paper is on the top right for Eastenders gossip.
• The standfirst is 'PM loses key votes again' above the headline.
• The byline is found above the body of text of the main headline, 'Pippa Crerar Political Editor'.
• The main headline is the lead story.
• The page furniture is the advertisement for Ladbrokes and for Coral, both are for betting.
• The main font used is sans-serif, with some serif fonts.
• It follows the generic conventions of a tabloid, by including small amount of text, adverts and a lot of images.

• The agenda is to make the audience believe that the prime minister isn't good.

• The political bias appears to be not in favour of May, who was a conservative leader, making the paper seem left wing. It's further found through the lexis, 'mayhem', 'loses key vote', 'massive defeat leaving nation facing months of chaos', which sound more negative towards the prime minister at the time. The use of imagery of her is small, making her appear insignificant. 

• The representation of Britain constructed in this newspaper is from having 'the most chaotic and destructive British Government in living memory' found from the political bias of the newspaper having a different view compared to the government from the lexis and imagery.

The Daily Mirror - Double page spread

• The headline, 'A faller at 2nd', summarises what the story will be, it is also in large and on a double-page spread.
• The main image is also a centre spread of May, suggests the story will be about her.
• Page numbers at the bottom of the page, to show more information or similar news to the page.
• There is a pull quote, 'The PM did pull a rabbit out of the hat, she brought it back and the Attorney General shot it', said by an MP.
• Standfirst is in bold and in red, 'Brexit shambles: Now it's going to be delayed'.
• The byline is found on top of the main body of the text.
• Between the columns you can find the gutter.
• Side panel on the left, relates to the main article.

• The agenda of the newspaper is to convince the reader that May isn't a reliable prime minister.

• The political bias appears to be left-wing because they show that they are not in favour of May (conservative), the lexis used shows this such as, 'Brexit shambles', 'ever-dwindling authority finally collapsed', it's negative to her and her ideas. The imagery used of her looks like she is surrendering with her hands up.

• The representation of Britain constructed in this newspaper is that the prime minister at the time, May, is failing and that she has to keep delaying Brexit, 'it's going to be delayed'.

The Times

• The masthead is along the top of the newspaper and in large, the name, 'The Times' suggests history as well as the serif font makes it look sophisticated. The coat of arms in the middle with a lion and unicorn that signifies Britain, it's traditional and represents the monarchy. This suggests the reader will have more traditional and conservative views.
• The caption underneath the image, 'Theresa May leaving parliament last night after her heavy defeat. She told MPs that they had to face unenviable choices’.
• The headline is 'driven to despair', which summarises what the article will be about.
• The main image is May, the prime minister at the time.
• The page numbers are found at the bottom right for other news stories.
• Skyline found at the bottom of the newspaper, to show other news that the reader can also read.
• Standfirst found above the main body of text and below the main headline, ‘Britain in crisis as May plan crushed again’, ‘MPs vote today on no-deal Brexit’, ‘Prime Minister may face registration calls’.
• Byline found above the main body of text.
• The main body of text is the lead story of the newspaper on that paper.
• In the skyline there are stories, with page numbers at the bottom, this is also a hermenuetic code.
• A folio on the top of the paper, ‘Fashion 8 best styling tricks for your spring wardrobe’.
• It follows the generic conventions of a newspaper by including small amount of images and a large amount of text.

• The agenda of the newspaper is to convince the reader that there is still a chance with the prime minister.

• The political bias of the newspaper appears to be in favour of May, the prime minister at the time, because of the name of the newspaper and also despite May delaying Brexit, the newspaper doesn't mock her through the use of lexis compared to The Daily Mail.

• The representation of Britain in the newspaper is seen as in 'crisis', and as well as May the country is also being 'driven to despair', but because the target audience and reader are in favour of conservatives they may believe that there is still hope.

Discourse Analysis

Discourse Analysis

thesun.co.uk

theguardian.com/uk

The Sun 

Through selection, they have a biased opinion on what news is important, and the main exclusive headline is the largest on the page, with smaller 'less important' news below. They have shown a bias on what images to use as a main image and what would grab more attention. The use of lexis is quite informal in most articles, showing bias of readers. The political bias of The Sun is right-wing.

The Guardian

Through selection, their opinion on what news is important is biased, the page is layed out with larger images and text to show main headlines and 'less important' news only having text. The lexis used is quite formal, and also shows bias of reader. The lexis used also further suggests that the political bias of The Guardian is left-wing.

Newspaper Key Terms and Analysis

Newspaper Key Terms

Masthead- Title of the newspaper.

Barcode- Use to scan in order to buy.

Caption- Text underneath the image.

Headline- Phrase summarising main point of article.

Main image- Dominant image filling front cover.

Page numbers- System of organisation.

Target audience- The audience it is aimed at.

Pull quote- Something said usually by the person in the main image.

Classified Advert- When an advert only uses text.

Skyline- Information panel that tells the reader other stories.

Edition- Several every night with some changes and late stories.

Standfirst- Introduces story, normally in a different style to the body of text and headline.

Byline- Author's name, job, location.

Body text- Copy, written material and is the main part of an article.

Standalone- Picture story that can exist on its own or on a front page leading to a story inside.

Centre spread- Image that runs across the middle of two pages.

Lead story- Main story, splash.

Gutter- Blank space between margins of columns of text.

Folio- Top label for the whole page and can relate to the area covered in the paper.

Page Furniture- Everything on a page except pictures or text of stories.

Newspaper Analysis

Metro

• The point of view and ideology of the newspaper is politically neutral because there are no clear bias. 
• It follows the codes and conventions of a newspaper and a tabloid.
• The masthead is in large, found on the top left. It includes simple colours with white which is simple and clean and also the colour blue which can be a calming colour as typically the paper is found at stations, where everything is fast pace and people may be commuting to work who might feel stressed.
• The font is large, bold and simple, it's easy for the reader to see.
• The name 'metro' suggests transportation such as trains, where majority of this paper is found.
• On the logo, in the corner it says that it is 'free' and includes no barcode.
• The headline is bold and large to cover the main story.
• The main image is found at the top to show that it is also a main story.
• The newspaper follows the conventions of a tabloid by including large images that are primarily the composition and includes an advertisement at the bottom and top right. There is also little text in the composition.
• The large headline, rhetorical question - enigma code. ‘Will Duke have to face U.S. Courts?’ With a standfirst just below it. It is written on the main image which anchors the text, then to the main headline.  
• The language used is neither informal or formal, gaining a larger audience.
• In the body of text there is a gutter between the columns with a byline.
• There are page numbers with a skyline, enigma for the reader.

Logo Analysis

Logo Analysis

Logos are a shorthand for an institution to share messages, values and ideologies.

Nike logo- 

• The colours used is just black, with connotations of being sophisticated and simple.
• The shape is a tick, with connotations of being correct and right.
• The shape of the tick has sharp points with a curved part in the middle, making it appear friendly but also have some elements of danger. 
• The message that is being conveyed is that Nike is right for you. 
• The values and ideologies Nike has is that anyone can do anything and there isn't a wrong way of doing it.

I, Daniel Blake - Media Set Product 5

I, Daniel Blake


Production and distribution

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e2tLoj8SlawU0NYlYMhZ24rqgxORJ7R7tQzHK5oOnps/edit?usp=sharing

Who produced the film?

• Rebecca O'Brien 
• The production companies were, Why Not Productions, BBC Films, eOne Films, Wild Bunch, Sixteen Films.
• Filmed in Newcastle and London.
• Independent production and was not made or distributed by a major film comany conglomerate.

Who was the distributor?

• Produced by the BFI (British Film Institute) and Le Pact in France.
• BFI was founded in 1933.
• They use lottery funds to encourage film education, production and distribution.
• They are also sponsored by the Department of Digital, culture, media and sport.

What did the marketing campaign involve?

• Social media, to spread information for releases.
• Ambassadored by Jeremy Corbyn.
• Film was first shown in Newcastle.
• Posters, banners, billboards and trailers.

How was the film marketed in a global perspective?

• The film was shown in numerous film festivals such as the Cannes film festival, which it won.

Consider 'star appeal'.

• Starring Dave Johns and Haley Squires.
• Ken Loach wasn't intending to use star appeal to draw the audience by using not very well-known actors.
• In film festivals, they're not expecting big names.

Who is the target audience? Why?

• Adults and mature teens.
• People interested or involved in politics to see the film's ideologies.

Trailer Analysis

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Y8ltOuD6fSl14mLA9yKoB-aPxXMG7iLnKPnZCvM8QyY/edit?usp=sharing

Does the trailer challenge/ reinforce typical codes and conventions of a film trailer?

• We see a large confrontation from his heartattack, we see the protagonist's struggles and eventually forms a group.
• The trailer features the main characters and main scenes/ settings.

How does the trailer market the film?

• The trailer shows the social issues and struggles, it reinforces personal identity.

How does the film construct the trailer to reach its target audience?

• People who agree with Ken Loach's politics or relate to the scenes that are shown.

Ken Loach

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M_eXUgFuCkVR7Ltuwz4EqZiRS9rkJhNVX1N1G2iAa3g/edit?usp=sharing

Political ideologies

• Member of the Labour party.
• Endorsed Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership campaign.
• Left-wing ideologies.

Filmography

• Ken Loach has 37 films in total.
• His socially critical directing style and socialist ideas, by showing social issues.
• The film is a drama, Daniel Blake is denied employment and support allowance despite his doctor declaring him as being unfit for work. 

Auteur

• It is the way that a director has a distictive style of film and are recognisable to the audience as being one of their work.
• His style is based around social realism, the coming together of politics and real life.

Social and Political context 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kd73wnSuEgh-qW6mD-tm-IDeei7tnO7s/view?usp=sharing

Ideologies?

• Left-wing perspective, which addresses social issues such as poverty and the welfare state.

How does the film offer comment on current political/ social climate?

• Criticises specific government policies.

How can you link the film to government polices?

• Challenges the government at the time, the director is a member of the Labour party.

Social-realism

• The style of film Ken Loach does, social issues.

Regulation and the BBFC

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fTea8AK0c7V4sLtZCjBaLBIPBSXUShxOCS_6GDPEjvs/edit?usp=sharing

What is the regulatory framework in the framework in the UK?

• The BBFC regulates and classifies films and other audio/visual content and give appropriate age ratings.

Who are the BBFC and how do they operate?

• The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification is an independent regulator.
• They check for bad language, dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, violence and sexual violence. Then give it the appropriate age rating.

How was the film regulated?

• The film was regulated by the BBFC.
• Use of strong language was found and given the age rating.

What certificate was it given and why? 

• Rated a 15.
• Strong language, visual and verbal sexual references, prescription drug use, criminality and unintentional racism.

Reception

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z5S3rKcMinSTeYiRJ_7Xn042TJksixzcU9-qxy-CGiY/edit?usp=sharing

What debates did the film provoke?

The debates the film provoked was the benefits system, difficulty of finding jobs and how medical issues can be tied into it. 
It also shows the problems working-class people in Britain face, such as oppression and difficulties like employment and income. 
There are debates from people who criticised the film saying that it wasn't accurate. However, many people in similar situations to the main character, Daniel Blake, said it was accurate, as they walked into the JobCentre and left feeling disgusted by what they said for them to do. And people who work at the JobCentre said they knew and understood the bureaucratic trap, and was there to intentionally catch people out. 

What were the criticisms of the film? 

The criticisms of the film was from a JobCentre Manager in Newcastle, in which the film was portrayed negatively by the director, Ken Loach. The film is said to be a 'story that doesn't represent the reality we work in'. The employer relationship manager, Steve McCall, further said that the depiction was dramatic to the everyday services for employment, and that the JobCentre is never this wrong as this film portrays them to be.
There have been criticisms from some media commentators from the Daily Mail and the Sunday Times who said that the film didn't appear very true as it says it does.

How was the film received critically?

• Ken Loach's biggest success at the UK box office.
• Rotten Tomatoes, it received an impressive approval rating of 92%.
• The Guardian gave the film five stars out of five, calling it a "celebration of the decency and kinship of (extra) ordinary people who look out for each other when the state abandons its duty of care".
• New York Times say it "builds up an oppressively claustrophobic atmosphere of mounting dread", however they say "the movie eventually goes a little too far".
• The Telegraph says "Loach is still calling things as he sees them" and that "the film treads fearsomely complex, splintery terrain - and the more complex it acknowledges it to be, the better".
• Review concluded that "escapist cinema it is not. But ... Loach is using the medium ... to shine a light on injustices he sees all around him".

Awards

• Best British Film at the British Academy Film Awards
• Best Actor for Dave Johns at the British Independent Film Awards
• Most Promising Newcomer for Hayley Squires at the British Independent Film Awards
• Palme D'Or for director Ken Loach at the iconic annual Cannes Film Festival
• Best Foreign Film at the Cesar Awards
• Best British Film at the Empire Awards
• Best Male Newcomer for Dave Johns at the Empire Awards
• Best Film at the Evening Standard Awards
• Best Supporting Actress for Hayley Squires at the Evening Standard Awards
• Most Powerful Scene Award at the Evening Standard Awards
• British/Irish Film Of The Year at the London Film Critics' Circle
• No. 1 in the Top 12 Films at New York Film Critics Online
• Audience Award for Best Film at the San Sebastian International Film Festival
• Audience Award for Best Film at the Stockholm International Film Festival
• Most Popular International Feature at the Vancouver International Film Festival

The welfare state

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sgLDzndi1KuZSPy6qZQlvWnEStuWwpW6/view?usp=sharing

What is the welfare system?

• It comprises expenditures by the UK government intended to improve health, education, employment and social security.

Why is this a prominent topic of discussion at the moment?

• The welfare system and the government.

Who is Jeremy Corbyn and what are his main ideologies?

• Leader of the labour party.
• Corbyn self-identifies as a democratic socialist.

How does this link to 'I, Daniel Blake'?

• The film questions and challenges the welfare state.
• The film is from a left-wing perspective and challenges the conservative government at the time it was released.

Funding and commercial implications

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pWu1KUm_CTIuANDS5ycfESuT-9kD6ZlI/view?usp=sharing

How was the film funded?

• The film was funded publically, recieved £1,015,000 from the BFI and additional funding from the BBC.
• Rough budget of £3.5 million.

How does this differ from other more mainstream?

• Mainstream films don't need to rely of public funding and have a much larger budget.
• I, Daniel Blake could now be considered mainstream as the director has worked in other large films, howvere the commercial nature and vast profit is less important because it's there to educate people.

Textual analysis

 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dxLNKZc1wM3HsDiL-diJmj0LhD2VoFFuQlQrj192stk/edit?usp=sharing

• The film title is spray painted, it is handwritten which makes it personalised and also connotations of activism against the government.
• The man on the poster is assumed to be the main protagonist or in this case, Daniel.
• The red text stands out with the name of director, writer and a small synopsis of what the film is about. The conotations of red is passion and danger.
• A z-line of reading the text on the top, to the man and then to the film title and text.

• There is a stamp award for a famous film festival, makes the audience know that it is a good film to watch.
• The dull colours may suggest the film might be serious.
• The way the man dresses makes him appear to be a relatable character.
• Rhetorical question, making the audience want to find out.

• The title uses a handwritten font, direct address it makes it seem like the director wrote it. 
• The red in the title and fences connotes passion and danger.
• We believe that the man is Daniel and the other characters on the poster are also main characters.
• It is in a rural alleyway and Daniel is carrying shopping, it looks like a normal setting of coming home from the shops, creates reliability with the audience.
• The stamp award on the top centre is large, makes the audience know that it has a good reputation.
• The names below the title is the writer and director which is larger than the other names, it is more important.
• The clothes they are wearing are regular and relatable to the audience. 

Marketing Campaign for Black Panther

Marketing Campaign for Black Panther

• Marvel's decision to break the mold was rewarded, and big risks was needed for success.
• They made a new graphic novel, with adaptation of the franchise, while keeping the diversity of having two African-American author and comic artist.
• Marvel released a musical tie-in with rapper, Kendric Lamar called Black Panther: The Album used in the film's soundtrack it also took first place on the Billboard 200 album chart the week of its debut.
• The film also had a superbowl short, with black advertisers and producers.
• From December 2015, Marvel discussed the meaning of the film with audiences and the producer mentions the film will be a work of art, a political statement, and a necessary stepping stone in the Marvel Franchise.
• A trailer was released in 2017 Comic-Con, creating excitement.
• Before the trailer release in Comic-Con, Disney showed a teaser to viewers of the NBA Finals, (viewership peak 20.1 million 2017), 63% of NBA viewers are African-American males.
• Disney raised money for underprivileged kids to see the film, with a partnership with Hasbro to promote a toy line.
• Disney Consumer Products organised the 'Welcome to Wakanda: Fashion for the Black Panther Era' in New York Fashion week. This interested a young female demographic.
• A partnership with Lexus, risk for both companies, with product placement and adverts.
• Lexus was also involved in a comic book called, Lexus Black Panther: Soul of a Machine.
• The film used an interactive homepage, linked to social media which released character posters.
• Use of the hashtag, #BlackPantherChallenge on Twitter raised over $40,000 within the first few days for children to see the film who wouldn't otherwise would have. People who helped include, Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, celebrities Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis, NYC Marketing Consultant Frederick Joseph and Marvel actress Brie Larson.
• The success comes down to Disney and Marvel having a smart market with segmentation, attracting an African-American community and keeping consistent to product development.

Regulation

Regulation

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) - Regulates the British Film Industry.

MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) - Regulates the American Film Industry.

• Black Panther was given the age rating of 12A (which is deemed only suitable for ages 12 and above but for the cinema it is given this so anyone over the age of 18 and bring a child under 12).
• Black Panther in America was given the age rating of PG-13, in South Korea it is 12.

Media Definitions

Media Definitions

Curran and Seaton - Power and Media Industries

When the media is controlled by a small number of companies that is mostly encouraged by profit and power.

Synergy

Where there are two different media products combine together and work well together.

Social Marketing

When a media product uses social media as a form of a promotion of that product and can interact with the audience.

Traditional Marketing

Examples of traditional marketing is using trailers, billboards and posters to promote a media product to the audience.

Viral Marketing

When a media product typically through the use of the internet, which makes the audience share the media product with others.

Press Marketing

When the Press is allowed access to the media product's release images, to promote to the audience. For example, magazines.

PR Stunts

Publicity stunts are planned events, which attract the audience, they usually use celebrities, to promote a media product or cause.

Fan Created Marketing

It is when a fan of a media product creates a form of media such as, fan-art, forums etc.

Guerrilla Marketing

When a media product uses a surprise and unconventional interaction as a form of a promotion.

Hesmondhalgh Cultural Industries

When a conglomerate operates on a number of cultural industries and to maximise audiences by vertical or horizontal integration.

Black Panther - Marketing Material

Black Panther - Marketing Material