Monday, 15 April 2013

Hot Fuzz *Updated*

Essay question.
Explain how Hot Fuzz could be described as Post modern media.

Task: For this task you will need have a copy of Hot Fuzz. (see me with a memory stick).
Watch the first part of the film in class and continue at home or during study period.
Complete THIS HELPSHEET to help you construct an argument.

Read this NFT Interview

Answer he following questions:
Was Hot Fuzz a successful film? How do we know? What is the reason for it's popularity?
Find and name at least 5 intertextual references int he film.  Why have they been used?  What has this to dow wit the audiences engament with the film?
What are Edgar Wright's and Simon Pegg's take on homage, parody and spoof?
What is the importance of the 'Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy?
Discuss the narrative structure of the film.
Using the helpsheet and the glossary, construct an essay that answers the question

* * * * * * * * *
Essay structure:
Introduction - set out what you will be discussing and evaluating. What are you to be looking at?
Paragraph 1 - Intertextuality
Paragraph 2 - Conventional vs Postmodern film
Paragraph 3 - Challenge to text / audience relationship.
Conclusion - Summary of you main points (please have a point to your conclusion that is clearly stated and obviously relates to your previous claims.)

LOOK!
Each sentence must be more than 5 sentences and contain a clear idea, point of view or topic.
Use lot sof comparative vocabulary - however / on the one hand / likewise / conversely / by the same token / in contrast / never-the-less.
Use topic sentences at the beginning of paragraphs. Use them to refer back to the exam question. e.g. One of the ways in which Social Networking can be considered an example of postmodern media is that it blur the boundary between the real and the simulated...'
Give plenty of relevant examples. In English you've used quotes, in Media you must use concrete examples to support you claims. PEE - Point / Evidence / Explain

Marks are awarded for: 
Explanation / analysis / argument
Use of examples
Use of terminology.
Sentence and paragraph structure
Spelling, punctuation and grammar


* * * * * * * * *

My Notes from the first 2/3rds fo the film:
The director and writer (Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg) continually flip conventions and subvert the genres that they are dealing with.
Jokes are often based up setting up a familiar filmic code and the pulling the rug from under it at the last minute.  This technique constantly undermines our expectation.  For this to work we need to have a thorough understanding of the filmic codes in the first place. Two examples of this would be the cycling proficiency section in the middle fo the early montage on Angel's achievements thus far (this montage is expected to be solely prosing Angle, not mocking him). This 'rug-pulling' also takes place in the eerie reception of the hotel when the receptionist suddenly blurts out 'Fascist'. This is a clear mash-up of horror codes and comedy. This scene is also heavily loaded with intertextual references to another, cultish horror film. Of course, these references are fun to look at a guess, but it could be argued that they are nothing more than a distraction and a 'surface effect'. Possible relevant thinker -  Jean Baudrillard.

Auteur trademark - sections of fast edit

Hodge-podge of musical styles

The realty presented int he film has been constructed from the scraps (signs) of past cultural elements such as: buddy cop movies, slasher movies. comedies, the films of Edgar Wright, children's TV ('by the power of Greyskull'), 70's music et cetera, et cetera.  People don;t react in this manner in real life, although audiences may think so due to over exposure to such signs. Possible relevant thinkers - Umberto Eco,  Jean Baudrillard 

Mixing of High and Low culture - Three colours Cornetto / Cardigans 'Love Me' playing at the end of Romeo and Juliet

Below is a range of key words. Include as many of these as you can.



Postmodern
Pastiche 
Parody 
Appropriation 
Double Coding
Genre 
Postmodernity
Irony
Baroque 
Eclecticism
Zeitgeist 

Intertextuality

Polysemy
Multi- accentuality
Spectacle

Nostalgia
Flattening
Knowingness

Self-conscious
Referencing
Homage
Surface play
Hodge-podge

High/low
Pop culture

Quote

Originality
Aesthetic

Outrageous
Depth
Exhaustion

Disillusionment








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