Representation
AIM: Within this section I will be discussing the ways in which the dominant and inferior ideologies (the main identities) are portrayed within the Charlie Chaplin film "Modern times". I will then analyse the representation of these identities in terms of my film. I will also be analysing and determining whether the film's representation deviates or conforms to the typical representation of a physical comedy.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this page the reader will be provided with a definition of representation, an explanation of it, an illustration of typical conventions of representation and an explanation of how I plan to implement the following conventions into my film.
DEFINITION: Representation can be defined as the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature. It refers to the construction in a medium of aspects concering reality for example people or places.
EXPLANATION: Reality can either be portrayed or conveyed through still images, prose or moving images. Representation refers to the construction of an identity and it is the process of producing the audience perception of that identity.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this page the reader will be provided with a definition of representation, an explanation of it, an illustration of typical conventions of representation and an explanation of how I plan to implement the following conventions into my film.
DEFINITION: Representation can be defined as the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature. It refers to the construction in a medium of aspects concering reality for example people or places.
EXPLANATION: Reality can either be portrayed or conveyed through still images, prose or moving images. Representation refers to the construction of an identity and it is the process of producing the audience perception of that identity.
HOW THE FILM CONFORMS OR DEVIATES AND AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE TYPICAL CONVENTIONS IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION: The film
"Modern Times" represents the way in which the dominant ideology controls and rules the inferior ideology. This is being represented in a comic manner through
physical comedy, for instance in the opening of "Modern Times" Chaplin is being abused by a defaulted machine, this could represent the ways in which the
dominant ideology/ruling class control and abuse their power within society. Chaplin also uses the location (a factory) as a visual representation of working
class. The audience are positioned to side with the working class and make fun of the petit bourgeois. Chaplin does this through the physical movement which
essentially makes fun of the dominant class. For example during the chase scene, Chaplin becomes the dominant ideology as he chases a large woman down the
street. Her facial expressions, body language and size makes it funnier for the audience to watch.
"Modern Times" represents the way in which the dominant ideology controls and rules the inferior ideology. This is being represented in a comic manner through
physical comedy, for instance in the opening of "Modern Times" Chaplin is being abused by a defaulted machine, this could represent the ways in which the
dominant ideology/ruling class control and abuse their power within society. Chaplin also uses the location (a factory) as a visual representation of working
class. The audience are positioned to side with the working class and make fun of the petit bourgeois. Chaplin does this through the physical movement which
essentially makes fun of the dominant class. For example during the chase scene, Chaplin becomes the dominant ideology as he chases a large woman down the
street. Her facial expressions, body language and size makes it funnier for the audience to watch.
Typically a physical comedic film has no deep meaning and is purely created for comedy, however Chaplin's film deviates from the typical representation, as the meaning of the whole film reflects the mood of the society, thus classifying it as a social comedy. The representation (of which essentially is a hegemonic structure) is portrayed through the use of command movements within the opposing identities. For example Chaplin's boss gestures to him that he needs to move faster, Chaplin does so and ends up in a frantic state. This is proving that the dominant ideology represses the inferior ideology till they have no control. This representation clearly comes from Chaplin as most of his films reflect a juxtaposition between ideologies or classes, for example The Great Dictator.
Within the clip a hegemonic structure and collapse of society is being backgrounded, whereas the humorous state of a worker in a factory is being foregrounded. Due to my analysis of the film I have come to the conclusion that although Chaplin wanted to entertain, he wanted to educate through the use of entertainment, therefore I understand that Chaplin's target audience would be a variety of people from children to politicians.
Within Modern Times, Chaplin represents the working class as victims and the petite bourgeois as the villains. For example, within the clip I am analysing, Chaplin is being abused by the modern technology and his bosses are in control of the technology. Also, within the factory, the working class men are slaving away at their stations while the petite bourgeois are telling them what to do. At the beginning of the clip, the petite bourgeois are in power however the audience are encouraged to hate them. In contrast, by the end of the clip the working class have control over the petite bourgeois and the audience are encouraged to laugh at the petite bourgeois. Within the clip, the petite bourgeois' power is shown during the scene where Chaplin is being attacked by the machine, the power is shown by the fact that they have control over the machine, which has control of the working class. On the other hand, the working class power is shown during the chase scene. This is clearly portrayed when Chaplin chases the two females down the street and when he squirts oil in his bosses faces.
From this film, it can be deduced that the audience are positioned to support the working class and disapprove of the behaviour of the petite bourgeois.
HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: Within my film i will use the comedy to portray the control that the ruling class have over the working class which will be foregrounded. I will be representing my protagonists as "hoodlums" as such through their costume and location, I.e. dark alleys, hoodies, track suit bottoms, i will then be representing the control of the working class through a chase between the police and the hoodlums. By using the costumes of my protagonists to create a division in classes i am using the semiotics as a representation.
ILL MANORS
HOW THE FILM CONFORMS OR DEVIATES AND AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE TYPICAL CONVENTIONS IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION: Ill Manors
and other social realist films reflect the reality. In other words, Ill Manors reflects the reality of working class drug dealers through different characters lives. Typically, within a social realist film, there is a representation of a hegemonic structure because it is reflecting society. In these particular films, society is represented as being structured with a dominant ideology, for example the government, and an inferior ideology for example the average citizen. Within this film, the hegemonic structure is put in place particularly. For example, the dominant ideology is the law and the inferior ideology is those who break the law or stereotypically break the law. In this instance the inferior ideology are working class drug dealers.
and other social realist films reflect the reality. In other words, Ill Manors reflects the reality of working class drug dealers through different characters lives. Typically, within a social realist film, there is a representation of a hegemonic structure because it is reflecting society. In these particular films, society is represented as being structured with a dominant ideology, for example the government, and an inferior ideology for example the average citizen. Within this film, the hegemonic structure is put in place particularly. For example, the dominant ideology is the law and the inferior ideology is those who break the law or stereotypically break the law. In this instance the inferior ideology are working class drug dealers.
Furthermore, by having a variety of ethnicities within the films representation, Plan B is commenting that there is a variety of races that are involved in the drug dealing industry rather than stating that it is a prodimently black business. In addition, Plan B represents a variety of different ages to illustrate the fact that the problem doesn't just lie with teenagers. I have come to this conclusion because people automatically assume that teenagers can be held responsible for these businesses however Ill Manors says otherwise.
HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: Within my film i will use the comedy to portray the control that the ruling class have over the working class which will be foregrounded. I will be representing my protagonists as "hoodlums" as such through their costume and location, I.e. dark alleys, hoodies, track suit bottoms, i will then be representing the control of the working class through a chase between the police and the hoodlums. By using the costumes of my protagonists to create a division in classes i am using the semiotics as a representation.
CONNECTIONS
HOW THE FILM CONFORMS OR DEVIATES AND AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE TYPICAL CONVENTIONS IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION: The film
"Connections" represents the way in which alcohol abuse can lead you astray. In addition it seems as though it represents the strain the government puts on people whether it is to do with school or work and as a result coul lead to either alcohol or drug abuse. In a sense, there is a representation of a hegemonic structure within this. It could be seen that the alcohol is the dominant/ ruling ideology and the proletariat is esentially the protagonist.
"Connections" represents the way in which alcohol abuse can lead you astray. In addition it seems as though it represents the strain the government puts on people whether it is to do with school or work and as a result coul lead to either alcohol or drug abuse. In a sense, there is a representation of a hegemonic structure within this. It could be seen that the alcohol is the dominant/ ruling ideology and the proletariat is esentially the protagonist.
This is being represented in a comic manner through physical comedy, for instance in the opening of "Connections", the protagonist is stumbling out of the pub. This represents the abuse of alcohol because clearly through his movement, the character is drunk. In addition, the alcohol clearly has control of the individual and leads him to do illegal acts such as breaking and entering. Here, the audience are being positioned to laugh at th echaracter but also wonder why the character is so drunk.
The stress of work is represented through the fact that the character is wearing a white shirt, tie and work trousers. It is clear that the character has been there since work because the narration says "it's 3 in the morning". Here there is a representation that too much pressure from work results in a downfall narrative. This is once again comedically represented when the protagonist's "dream world" illustrates the seperation between him and his friend.
Lastly, there is a representation of adults becoming immature due to the intake of alcohol. This is firstly represented by the simple fact that after drinking alcohol, the protagonist follows this mysterious character to his house and breaks in. Next, the character immediately sits down and watches a dvd. Once he has fallen asleep he has what could be seen as a child like dream because he dreams about going to the park and playing with someone who he wishes was his best friend. After this he raids the persons fridge and eats. During this scene, the character is fiddling with something on the table, which is later revealed as a smiley face made out of crisps. This in itself is a something a child would do. Thus, there is a representation that alcohol results in immature behaviour.
Firstly, in terms of the following scene, the audience are led to think that this individual who is drunk is going to attack an innocent man, and are therefore positioned to dislike the protagonist. This is due to the fact that the individual is being shot from behind. However, during the scene where he sits down and watches tv, it is clear that there is some child like element to him. In addition, during his dream the character is represented as lonely and the audience are positioned to feel sorry for him. Lastly, the scene where the character makes a smiley face out of crisps shows once again the immature side to the character. Once again the audience are positioned to feel some remorse and empathy towards the protagonist.
HOW THIS LINKS TO MY FILM: I have completely deviated from this films representation within my film. Firstly, although I am representing the immature behaviour, it is ironic because they are teenagers rather than adults. In addition, there is no direct connotation of any alcohol or drugs being consumed by the characters. Finally, the audience are encouraged to laugh at the protagonists in my film and although they are being put in jail, the audience should feel no remorse for the characters, therefore I am challenging the typical representation.