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.)

You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.

Camerawork, editing and sound: 

 Smooth panning shows how technology has improved since 1960s, still cameras suggests a calm scene or raises tension in a way as it is paired with an underscore (music), CGI for the clock etc suggets perhaps a steampunk themed film or going back in time, use of Non digestic music and sounds enchances the media for the audience.

Mise-en-scene:

 Feminine and masculine clothing seems to be themed as in the past, perhaps in the victorian times as there was a village shown. Villages show how undeveloped technology is and cities show how modern things are. They are not wearing casual clothing like we do today so it could suggest that they are in the past.

Narrative and genre: 

 The film shows a fantasy drama genre as there seems to be a lot of argueing and shouting. Narrative suggests some sort of prophacy and steampunk theme which is futuristic and old. They suggest that young people are good and old people are bad which is binary opposition.

You can access our notes from the close-textual analysis in a previous class here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to open this.

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

Use of witches and magic, talking animals, mythical creatures.

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

Mrs Coulter as villain

Spectres - villains

The little girl as the protagonist.

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.)

Narrative - “The prophecy has begun”. Lyra - creates enigma and action codes; narrative arc for all three seasons of HDM.

Chase scene - both action and enigma codes (who are they chasing and what will happen).

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. 

They suggest that young people are good and old people are bad which is binary opposition.

“It’s time to draw sides” - Propp; binary opposition. This creates a narrative where old people are villains and the young people are victims who are now standing up.


Representations

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

Some women are wearing dresses and makeup as well as styled hair, its old fashions and reinforces the stereotype that women should look feminine. However, some stereotypes are being subverted because there is a woman that seems to be a in power or one that shouts which subverts the stereotype that women are damsels in distress and are quiet.

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

The stereotype of men being masculine, in controll and the ones to take  action is reinforced as they are shown wearing dark clothes, leading a group and telling others news. However, some men are subverting that stereotype as they are shown cooking for the woman and lets her make the decisions.

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.

Young people seems to challenge the stereotype of a girl being helpless as despite her young age, she had special abilities and seemed to shout and talk back and demand awnsers. Teenagers are also being reinforced as they are wearing casual clothes which could be an act of rebellion depending on what year it is.  Young people are in power and old people are in danger.

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

They are subverted as there are people of colour who is like a leader of somesort if group, everyone seems to be equal in rights. Witch played by black woman, 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.

Reminds me of 1900s and before that when women were the ones who had to cook and let the man make decisions,  in this film it is more like the opposite of the past. Young are in charge, men are less masculine. Like the scene where the guy cooks for the girl and gets called a kitchen boy.