Slightly nervous opening g- straight into text and some good knowledge shown here.
Presentation is a problem - no eye contact or interaction with audience at all (although not reading from notes)
Clearly very good research - knows text very well
Presentation is just images - this is a very effective for Ignite but as presentation continues there is less linking the image + the presentation.
Lack of rehearsal and planning
Nothing on Islamophobia - no link to media issue or debate in this presentation... it's more just a description of the film.
Excellent first question raises issue of Islamophobia but lack of confidence answering it suggests this question hasn't really been considered as a part of research.
Warms up a little (clearly researched an interview with director) but not enough evidence that the bigger issues have been considered (despite very good questions).
Overall, real lack of clarity or thought - need to really link text to issue/debate for critical investigation.
Context - 2
Clarity - 1
Presentation - 1
4
WWW: I had clear and good knowledge of the text I was studying. (American Sniper)
EBI: I need to refine my answers on a subtle subject such as it is. As a result I'll also need to elaborate my points to justify objective statements.
My presentation contributes towards acknowledging the deeper meaning of Islamophobia, the factors associated with it, learning and looking at perspectives from a neutral lens. This will contribute towards my critical investigation because the topic raises lots and lots of strands of questions that I could look at, ultimately giving me more flexibility and a range of choices on the content I have chosen.
American Sniper, a film based off a real occurrence, is about a top sniper sent to protect his comrades in the battlefield, and is seen to be a hero at least from the eyes of an American. In the film the typical representations of Islamists/Militants/Radicals/Extremists are presented as the bad guys, often always seem to be holding some kind of weapon in the film, even though from a neutral standpoint, they're just retaliating to the attack, just like Americans are terrorists to Islam, and Islam are stereotypically terrorists to the common American.
Why is the subject being represented in this way?
The American Sniper protagonist Chris Kyle, is a man not influenced by any hatred/prejudice/discrimination towards any ethnicity/people/race, and is instead given strict orders on what to do. This is perhaps trying to convey some sort of political agenda of the threat Iraq/Syria/Western Asia portrays, and the protagonist is simply a device used to demonstrate this, leaving the audience to decide on their opinions of the whole picture.
Is the representation fair and accurate?
While it is controversial to give a definitive answer on both sides of the groups represented, it is generally unfair to the Islamic audience, where their race and religion is constantly being repressed and shutdown by bias and ignorant comments. Even in one of the scenes of the movie, it showed a small kid no older than 5 years old, picking up an RPG and attempting to fire it at a convoy. And this just shows the extent to how perhaps how young Muslim kids are brainwashed to do what they're literally told to do.
What opportunities exist for self-representation by the subject?
Bradley Cooper, who plays Chris Kyle in the film, has received several nominations for best actor performance, as well as several nominations to Clint Eastwood, the director of American Sniper.
Media Languages and Forms
What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?
Acknowledging that the story and protagonist is based off a real event and person, it might have some significance towards US Army/Navy/Seals/America, acting sort of as a tribute, as the real Chris Kyle died not long ago in February 2nd, 2013. Chris Kyle was regarded as a top-tier sniper and veteran.
Also as the title suggests, "American" Sniper, we see the picture through American lenses, supported by their cultural style and political language. Where the strongly native American believes all Muslims are a threat and are mostly portrayed as the bad guys. Even in reviews by respected institutions, it is said I’m not going to fault Kyle’s view of his enemies as representing a “savage, despicable evil,” but I do fault Eastwood for making what is, essentially, a propaganda film. Clint Eastwood cleverly tries to attract a mainstream cinema audience and get them to engage with the politics behind it.
What is the significance of the text’s connotations?
Again as the movie title suggests, "American" Sniper, we have a perspective of warfare from an American, and specifically an American. We come across situations where Chris is hesitant to shoot possible threats, but has a psychological warfare in his own head whether to make the move or not.
What are the non-verbal structures of meaning in the text (e.g. gesture, facial expression, positional communication, clothing, props etc)?
Islam extremists in the American Sniper are all dressed in respect to their culture, and is typical for the movie to have them set it as it is. In a non-derogatory sense, the audience can identify a person in robes, balaclava and a weapon to be a Islamic terrorist in the film. While on the other hand, a white American with a sniper in Iraq could just be seen as a soldier to the world, but a terrorist to Islam. So at a basic and general view of things, it is easy to make a distinction between the good and bad guys, but apart from the surface of things, this first view is challenged and opens up politics.
What is the significance of mise-en-scene/sets/settings (CLAMPS)?
As explained before, the clothing can be used to identify a binary opposition in the movie. In respect of the movie, all Muslim people are presented as an enemy in American Sniper. Example, a character in a robe, balaclava and AK-47. Weapons wise, we see a very conventional choice where the Muslim characters have their weapon choice of an AK-47 and RPG. As a result, we see this very different combat approach the two groups have. It has altered the action scenes of the movie where one group attacks openly and aimlessly on a rampage, whereas the other is laid back, professional and trained in their specialty.
What work is being done by the sound track/commentary/language of the text?
Specifically in this scene of American Sniper, the sound gain increases with the tension, as well as a critical point where time is running out:
The scene demonstrates a propaganda by Clint Eastwood, as several other film reviews have said, where a kid is almost predisposed to pick up the nearest weapon and fire anything on site - they are that brainwashed. With this said, protagonist Chris Kyle has an order as a sniper to kill the kid, morally, he of course declines and expresses his frustration, "Son of a b*tch"; "F*ckin' drop it". Luckily the movie didn't break the ice and the movie continued without the death of a child. However later on, a child attempting to bomb soldiers was.
What are the dominant images and iconography, and what is their relevance to the major themes of the text?
Of course in almost every action movie, there is a new equilibrium after evil forces are defeated and one triumphs. This is the case in American Sniper, where in the ending of the movie an American parade is held after Chris Kyle's return, where American flags are held up, trying to establish power from one country to another. Similar to this too, there is sort of a metaphorical battle again between America and Iraq. We see battles between an Iraqi sniper and Chris Kyle, and Chris seems to top them all. Conventionally in movies too, we see Iraqi terrorists with an RPG, AK-47, whereas an American soldier with an M4, Barrett, etc.
What sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning (e.g. camera positioning, editing; the ways that images and sounds are combined to convey meaning)?
Throughout the movie in Chris Kyle's perspective in the battlefield, we see through his scopes, adding an element of realism to the movie. Tracking back to the tense moment of the martyr child attempting to fire an RPG, sound gain and tempo began to significantly increase. This personally put me at the edge of my seat when watching the movie and was a great technique that Hollywood uses in their action movies. Violence, blood and gore wise was minimal, perhaps this conveys a message that it's not all about an action packed film, but rather a political and deeper, longer message that Clint Eastwood was trying to aim at.
Narrative
How is the narrative organised and structured?
The narrative is based off a real life Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle, where the 'film' is almost a 'documentary'. We see the struggles and sacrifices Chris Kyle makes in the film, however said in an article, quote "The issue is that Eastwood and Hall have decided to tell Chris’s story linearly and in a straightforward, rather uninspired fashion. They employ little if no risk in the narrative structure and the film simply goes from point A to point B without any surprises." Despite this, perhaps Clint Eastwood wanted to make a clear and understanding narrative on purpose and make room for the bigger message to be seen easier.
How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?
The narrative is quite simple and linear. We first meet Chris as a kid, learn that his core values were instilled in him by his stern yet loving father, and then catch up with him when he’s 30-years-old. He initially dreams of being a cowboy and professional rodeo competitor, but after sustaining an arm injury, he decides to enlist in the United States Navy SEALs.
It is a type of narrative that is realism and something the audience can relate to, where his upbringing, his friends and family were all normal. He wasn't bought up in a special or different kind of way to anyone, and this makes us appreciate Chris' achievements.
What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?
Identification of Chris Kyle being a normal guy and living up to be regarded a top sniper, shows us the character's perseverance and dedication. Alienation of his normal life with his family, makes the audience feel sympathy and could relate.
What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc within the narrative?
As mentioned before, the sound adds a lot of tension in some situations, especially the child RPG scene. It tries to create a central problem and wake up the audience and gain their attention. It could also be trying to connote a deeper message than what is seen in the surface. Example, young Muslim children are being brainwashed by extremists/radicals.
Iconography is essential in trying to identify Chris Kyle for who he is as well, the sniper rifle. Music wise, songs were used most appropriately. A funeral song for a funeral, a tribute where in the credits pictures of the real Chris Kyle and peoples' appreciation towards his achievements. The song genre itself is a very emotional sounding sound and makes the audience feel sympathy.
What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?
The major theme of American Sniper would probably be sacrifice and manipulation. The real Chris Kyle sacrificed a lot, his family for his job to stand proud and by his comrades in the barracks. Perhaps the sacrifice is doing what you sometimes take pride in can be dangerous, meaning death. The radical Muslim ideology of a suicide bomber/martyr is also embodied in this scene of the film:
A Muslim mother sends and loses her martyr child to bomb soldiers, she then proceeds to risking her own life to complete the bombing.
Genre
To which genre does the text belong?
The text belongs to biographical war drama film. A very realistic, realism movie that tells an inspirational, controversial and political story.
What are the major generic conventions within the text?
Generally in respect to stereotypes, Muslims are portrayed as terrorists in a pro-American film. This as said before in the film's reviews, caused controversy and Clint Eastwood was frankly shammed for it. He tried to challenge and get people out of their comfort zones, trying to unease and offend Muslim viewers in particular from some of the content in the film. For this reason, Clint Eastwood has cleverly gained attention on American Sniper.
What are the major iconographic features of the text?
Iconic in terms of Chris Kyle would be the sniper rifle as he's known for his commendations for acts of heroism and meritorious acts in combat. He was regarded as a top sniper in the barracks. The settings too; Iraq has evolved to be from once a normal city in Western Asia to an undoubtedly notorious area of endless wars. The place has turned from a civilized city to a reckless battlefield. Even cities in America such as Chicago has been named "Chiraq", a merge of Chicago and Iraq for it's gang crimes and gun activity.
What are the major generic themes?
As said before, the major generic themes were sacrifice and justice, bringing peace to America from ending the war.
To what extent are the characters generically determined?
Obviously as the film was a biography, based on a real person's event in their lifetime, the plot was pretty linear and straight forward, nothing "cinematic" like a plot from a fictional character.
To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text? Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?
The film was targeted towards giving out a deeper meaning, a political message rather than film arts, and Clint Eastwood successfully did that. Creating a controversial and attention-worthy topic, as evident by people's reactions and critic's reviews.
Does the text feature a star, a director, a writer etc who is strongly associated with the genre? What meanings and associations do they have?
The star of the film that plays Chris Kyle, Bradley Cooper, is a well known actor in Hollywood. Significantly, the first search that comes up is in fact American Sniper when asked about Bradley Cooper's film associations. He's starred in extremely successful movies in the past such as The Hangover franchise, as well as art film aesthetic praised, Limitless. Note-worthily, Cooper has also several Oscars and nominations for Best Actor, appropriately picked for a drama film like American Sniper.
Media Institutions
What is the institutional source of the text?
American Sniper was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures a very major films studio which is a division of Time Warner. The company has distributed very, very successful movies in the past, and is one of the foundations of Hollywood without a doubt.
In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?
Warner Bros. Pictures is known for distrusting all types of movies, ranging from genre to genre. Perhaps they wanted to fill in a gap in the market and put out a more realistic and significant, meaningful movie from the usual action/fictional/children's movies.
Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?
The film could strongly be seen as a public service given the fact that the biography of Chris Kyle acted sort of as a tribute, special to those family or close friends that knew him or citizens of USA that appreciated and envied his accomplishments towards the better good.
However, it could also be seen as a commercial institution given the fact that what the movie was about gained so much attention and could let more people in USA acknowledge a hero in the battlefield that served to protect their country.
Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does this matter?
Warner Bros. Picture's isn't controlled by anyone or any company, but it is instead a subsidiary company to others such as, Warner Bros, DC Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Castle Rock Entertainment.
How has the text been distributed?
In a very conventional way the film was distributed, using trailers to create hype. The trailer has 2 versions, to create hype obviously and gain as much attention and viewers. The first trailer as screens the mother and son martyr, as discussed previously. It's a very climatic and tense montage, flicking back and forth, ending with Kyle who just is about to pull the trigger and leaving a cliffhanger which is a common technique used to grab attention.
Media Values and Ideology
What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?
The ideology of prejudice/discrimination that is involved with politics. The fact that Muslim are represented by the media such a derogatory way. E.g. the fact that the war missions in American Sniper are set in Iraq, a battleground full of radical Muslims extremists who are typically armed with AK-47's, RPG's, grenades, etc, all things that connote a common terrorist that we stereotypically know. Perhaps every race/ethnicity/culture is victim to prejudice and discrimination, but Muslims are just an easier target given the circumstances they've gone through, example New York 9/11 Bombings were a huge influence.
What criteria have been used for selecting the content presented?
The fact that American Sniper was Eastwood's most highest-grossing film to date says enough. The budget was only $58.8 million to then the box office hitting an impressive $547.4 million. His idea of touching a sensitive and controversial, slightly offensive topic for a film has earned it's attention and money.
Media Audiences
To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience? (Demographics, Psychographics)
Perhaps to Americans as "American" Sniper is about Chris Kyle, and it would hopefully make citizens of America more appreciative of a hero that fought for his country. As a result, this would be targeted towards a more mature audience that would understand the film more on a deeper and political level. Although however, the age rating by the BBFC is 15.
What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?
Perhaps some audience who are American and take pride in their country feel more obligated to appreciate Chris Kyle. The plot of American Sniper is very linear, realism, hence biography of a normal person just like the viewers, and by this they can relate more.
In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?
Clint Eastwood is known for making movies that manifests realism, real events sometimes to tell a story. He is known for predominantly drama films and perhaps this genre in respect is targeted towards a more mature audience, hence appropriately meeting the formal characteristics of American Sniper too.
What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?
Clint Eastwood has movies produced since 1971, so perhaps a very few selected people who are long-time watchers are still in the picture, however I wouldn't say there is constituency as a result. The size of the audience of American Sniper were very huge, reaching a box office hit of $547.4, and also other media such as documentaries about Chris Kyle.
What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?
...Americans are terrorists to Islam; Islam are terrorists to America.
Retaliation of Islam as a result of being repressed. Islam extremists who are extremely devoted to their religion to the point their behaviour and actions become extremely obnoxious. Appreciation of how one man in the entire US Navy makes a difference to his serving his country.
What are the audience pleasures, uses or gratifications? (Refer to theory)
The audience can identify themselves as a nation, having more appreciation towards a hero in America known as Chris Kyle. As a result of viewing the movie however, perhaps citizens of America can also see the other unseen side of the war between Islam extremists and America, and have a voice rather than the media talking for them.
How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc
I read American Sniper as the Islam radicals/extremists to be a perfect demonstration of conservatism by Clint Eastwood, where the group favours tradition and religion, showing critical for proposals towards social and radical change to the point brute force is used. However, the American's retaliation also gets caught up in their own web, where it's almost as if they're the terrorists invading places such as Iraq in this case and vice versa. However, as an American institution the film does not show such content and almost always favours and is bias, never from a neutral standpoint. This itself has caused controversy for the film, critics calling it a "propaganda".
