5. In relation to the media area you have studied, discuss the ways audience consumption has
changed over time.
Throughout this academic year in AICE Media Studies I’ve learned a lot about the media
world. Not just in terms or production, but planning, and marketing as well. The type of Media I
feel I've studied the most is film. In film particularly, audience consumption has changed majorly
from renting a movie or paying to see it once in theaters to primarily streaming services now.
One of the most distinct and obvious changes in audience consumption is the move away
from movie theaters to streaming services. The highest grossing movie of 2018 was Black
Panther which made almost 12 billion dollars. In 2019 the highest grossing movie was Avengers:
Endgame which made around 11 billion dollars. This obviously isn't due to popularity because
Endgame is part of the Avengers franchise that has already amassed billions of viewers and fans.
Black Panther however, while part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has a completely new
story, characters, and setting. So the reason Avengers: Endgame grossed less money than Black
Panther is because the amount of people going to the box office is decreasing. Why are less
people going out to see movies? It's because it's more convenient for consumers to watch on a
streaming service.
Viewers have grown lazy and the reasons why audiences prefer streaming goes beyond
convenience. Streaming services have become more affordable But in recent years it's become
especially apparent that films are being distributed differently. The Avengers franchise is easily
the biggest franchise marvel has created. It's because of this that the box office numbers are an
anomaly. Perhaps Disney's streaming subscription service Disney Plus has something to do with
why the numbers are so low. Disney Plus was released in November 2019, the same year as
Avengers: Endgame. How films proceed in the past is usually a few months after a film has left
the theater it is available in Blu-ray and DVD format for mainstream purchase. Maybe audiences
anticipated that in the following months after the film's debut it would be available to stream on
Disney Plus.
Not only has the media for audience consumption changed but audience consumption has
changed because the audiences have changed. Generation Z is one of the most diverse
generations in history. Not only that but audiences have recognized a lack of diversity in film in
the past and now call upon reform not just in legislature but in movies and tv shows. Again
taking a look at blockbuster films like Black Panther which has received lots of praise and
positive feedback. On the other hand films like Beauty and The Beast (2017) and Fantastic
Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, we don’t see that same praise. Beauty in the beast hardly
grossed one billion usd and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald grossed around a half a
billion usd. This is not due to the lack of cross convergence, synergy, or any other kind of
advertising and promotion. Beauty and the Beast was a popular remake and Fantastic Beasts:
The Crimes of Grindelwald was a spinoff of the popular Harry Potter franchise that made
billions. Black Panther however, had a predominantly Black cast and was acclaimed by tons of
film critics.
In short, audience consumption of films has changed a lot. Not just in the type of media
they prefer to view new films but also in the type of films they want to see. Viewers want to
view from the comfort of their own home whenever it’s convenient. Audiences are changing and
they are calling for more change in film as well.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Friday, April 24, 2020
Game of Thrones Extract Essay
The theme behind this extract is “Asserting yourself, even when you feel inferior, is the only way to get what you want”. This is constructed through a number of different camera angles, movements, shots, editing techniques, and sounds; as we follow a king and his subject asking for a loan at a bank. When the bank denies their loan the subject stands up for his king and his kingdom and explains why despite their beliefs, they are worthy of a loan.
In the opening scene, a sound bridge builds throughout the scene. The music gets louder as the boat reaches its destination. This builds a sense of anticipation and suspense in the scene that is retained throughout the extract . This sets the tone for the entire extract until it is challenged by the subject- Sir Davos- when he reprimands the loan officer in the next scene. This action wouldn’t be as powerful when conveying the message if the tone, as established by the sound bridge, hadn’t shifted from one of suspense to one of determination. The camera also zooms out as the boat reaches its destination, which the audience learns is a city. The camera zooms out on this big city and provides an explanation for the intimidated look we saw on the king and his subject’s faces. The emotion that is conveyed shows the audience that they are afraid but are determined to accomplish their goal, despite any intimidation inspired by the scale of the city and the statue shown.
In another scene we see the inside of a bank and three men, who appear to be bankers or loan officers, who enter the room where the two men are waiting to sit at the table. The setting of the bank is shown as fancy, which further contributes to the idea of the city and banks’ wealth, and in turn allows the audience to begin making inferences as to what the king’s goal there is. . The floors are emerald and there are tall windows that allow natural light to flow in. This helps convey the theme by creating a threatening mood. It is unnerving to see the king and his subject wait in a big regal bank, as it puts his lack of control over the situation in stark contrast to how a king should feel. When the three loan officers take a seat at the other side of the table, their chairs are higher, gold in color, and have a tall back; in comparison to the king and his subjects' stools. The props of the chairs convey the meaning of the extract by relating the chairs they are sitting on to their relationship and power in the interaction. The chairs represent that the loan officers have control and are above the king and his subject asking for a loan.
In the following scene the loan officers, the king, and his subject are having a conversation. The low angle used while the loan officers are speaking establishes a sense of dominance, with the bank being ‘above’ the king. A shot-reverse-shot is also used to go back and forth throughout this conversation, showing the two characters’ reactions and attitudes throughout the conversation. This allows the audience to see how the conversation played out more clearly and see who's in charge of who, and whether the party in control shifts through the conversation.
In the final scene the king and his subject are denied a loan and the subject stands up and asserts himself, providing a sound argument in his king’s favor, and therefore why the loan officer is wrong. The dialogue is essential in this scene in order to convey the theme of this extract. The dialogue where the man stands up is important because he is standing up for himself in order to achieve his and the king's goal which is what this extract is all about. Action-match is also used when the king’s subject points. This is important because not only does it finish the action of him pointing but it emphasizes his argument and determination. Pointing shows confidence and aggression. This action represents overcoming feelings of inferiority in order to accomplish a greater objective.
In this extract most of the camera angles, movements, shots, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene of this film contributed to creating a tone and theme. The tone was intimidating, threatening, suspenseful, and daunting. While everything in the film leads the audience to believe that the king and his subject are inferior to the loan officers, the entire extract shifts when the king’s subject stands up and advocates for their desire despite the dismissal of the loan officers. In this moment the empowering dialogue shifts the mood and reveals the true meaning of the extract. That asserting yourself, even when you feel inferior, is the only way to get what you want.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Friday, March 20, 2020
Filming Blog: No school
As mentioned last blog school was cancelled due to the spreading of COVID-19 virus. This blog will be about how my group tried to make plans to film. So far the CDC has recommended self quarantine or social distancing. Social distancing is the practice of staying at least 6 feet from people to prevent the spread of germs.Originally one of group members Maya texted the rest of our group. Maya was interested in when we could begin to film. While the idea originally sounds practical, it could be dangerous. School was out which means more time to film for AICE Media Studies. But by weighing the idea that school is only out because of it being a social place; filming for Media Studied might not be a good idea. Nobody in our group responded to Mayas text. After, Maya was confused as to when we would film. Another group member Gavin responded. When filming the last few times we filmed at Gavin’s house. Gavin’s response asked if we could film Sunday. Our group decided Sunday was appropriate. Then we discussed one possible outcome. Because of the increasing volume of establishments closing, will we be allowed to socialize. The CDC has recommended self quarantine but our group discussed the possibility of it being mandatory. If we are not able to film then my group is completely lost on how to finish our Final task. Attached is a screenshot of the text conversation between my group. We are discussing the plans for us to film.
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