His Dark Materials: Language and Representation blog tasks

 Language and close-textual analysis


1) Write an analysis of the episode - using your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)


Camerawork, editing and sound: Non-diegetic sound at beginning of recap: music and voiceover to set scene

.CGI and effects. Witch flying in storm. Technology behind TV in 2020. 

Low angle camera shots of Mrs Coulter; high angle looking down at witch. Shows power relationship between characters




Mise-en-scene:

Settings -

 different worlds ‘The City in the Sky’, cave/rainforest, ocean. Far off or exotic fantasy locations. Also, recognisable locations - Oxford, Will’s world (police etc.)

Props - mix between fantasy world and modern, recognisable objects (mobile phone).

Submarine - ‘Steampunk’ genre. Industrial machines, settings, props.



Narrative and genre: 

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

Fantasy genre - witches, prophecy, rift, daemon talking animals these are all things which are considered myths or  are linked with   fantasy genre. 



3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into?

  Lyra is the main character and her pet pam fits the role of  helper and sidekick  and will is the sidekick. lyra's  mom fits the role of a  villain 


4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

 one enigma code is the split in the sky this enigma code which links  to the genre of fantasy which shows us what is expected of a fantasy show and has different worlds


5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative.  one way is  

 young and old, grown ups and children, good/bad.



Representations


1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

 women are both reinforced and subverted  for example Lyra crying in cave - reinforces female stereotype BUT next scene she is exploring the rainforest on her own - strong, independent female character.  another one is Women - Mrs Coulter only female character, strong. “We cannot allow this woman to take control.”  and    Subversion of gender roles - girls about to fight, Will breaks it up. 

 






2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

 men serotypes are reinforce and subverted by Subversion of gender roles - girls about to fight, Will breaks it up.  and when Reversal of gender roles - Will cooks omelette for Lyra (she asks “Are you a kitchen boy?”)

Will is not typically masculine - he cooks, he lets Lyra take the bed and make decisions. but it is also reinforced when  it shows  men ass.  shown  as aggressive (throwing glass




3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

 one instance where it is subverted is when Will and Lyra are in the town with know adults and its ran by children  this a Representation of age - children are in charge, grown ups are in danger. 



4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted? 

 this stereotype is subverted when the witch is played by a black women Diversity - race/ethnicity. Which is much much more diverse cast than Doctor Who. 



5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.

 government shown as dangerous/incompetent.  this can be showed to be similar to real life.

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