Textual analysis is viewing a media text, and looking in detail at how it is constructed. It is looking at the meaning behind a text, and asking why and how the meaning is conveyed. This is done by analysing both micro elements (camera work, editing, sound- mise en scene) and macro elements: drawing conclusions from the micro level about representation, characterisation, genre, narrative and ideology. Different individuals have different interpretations of texts, so the analysis should incorporate different views of the same text. Textual analysis is essentially a three-step process: analysing micro elements, concluding the macro representations that these elements create, and considering the different interpretations people may have. Decoding is the way of understanding media texts by making meaning of the sounds (aural codes) or pictures (visual codes) presented.
This film poster for 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' can be analysed for plot clues and genre hints by simply looking at the micro mise en scene elements. The use of a utopian beach setting shows a 'perfect world', though the perfection is broken by the fact the heart-shaped cloud in the sky is broken by the plane, and Jason Segel's character's posture and body language connotes unhappiness. The proxemics of the characters, particularly how Segel is stood in the sea looking on at the lovers, conveys ideas of a storyline of lost love. This is reinforced by the tagline and title, the former of which gives away the genre explicitly: it is a comedy supposedly about 'getting dumped and taking it like a man' -- this tagline in itself is comedic, as Segel's character does not appear to be 'taking it like a man' at all. The casting also gives away the genre: Jason Segel and Russell Brand are both known for comedy, and the films mentioned that are by the same producers are both of the comedy genre. The use of colour is also symbolic for the plot and themes of the film: the poster is largely blue, which has many connotations but in this context the colour represents the sadness of the lonely man in the sea. The girl is dressed in green, which has a main connotation of envy/jealousy: this emotion is evident as Segel's character is visibly envious of Russell Brand's. Brand is dressed peculiarly for the beach- he is in all black, which is a common convention in more serious films for villains or enemies. His costume suggests his role as an antagonist in the film, as does his positioning with the character who is clearly Sarah Marshall herself. His facial expression reinforces this idea of a 'bad' character, as he sneers at the camera. Sarah Marshall is represented as quite shallow, as she looks into Brand's character's eyes devotedly and this allows an audience to make assumptions about her: she has left the 'everyman hero' of Segel's character for the arrogant rockstar she is now with.
Even the smallest details are codes to suggest genre, representation or narrative, and being able to textually analyse media texts will not only help in exams but also with creating my own opening sequence to a film.
No comments:
Post a Comment