Media Representations
Who is being represented?
Jared Franklin
Peter Bash
In what way?
Jared Franklin & Peter Bash
- Unprofessional - They deal with clients in their jacuzzi, flirts with female clients, drink on the job, attempt to bribe witnesses.
- Humorous characters.
- Well groomed, attractive and well dressed.
- Hard working - after they go home they continue to work at their office where their desks are filled with files upon files.
- Party boys.
- Good knowledge of law, and use outlandish tactics to prove that their clients are innocent.
- Does whatever it takes to win the case.
Jared Franklin
- A bad boy in school back in the day.
- Comes from a rich background
- Genuinely a nice guy, attempts to help a child overcome his high school problems whilst still trying to get his client freed of charges.
Peter Bash
- He is smart, has a good knowledge of law and uses some outlandish tactics to get his client free of their charges.
- Still has feeling for his ex-girlfriend, who is now engaged to one of his clients.
- Uses his charm and good looks to try and get the jury to get his point of view and his points to try and free his cliental.
By Whom?
The two main characters are being represented this way by the director, the script writer and also the actors themselves. The actors probably add their own spin onto the character, and the script so that they differentiate themselves from other actors auditioning for the part.
Why is the subject being represented this way?
Is the representation fair and accurate?
The representation seems fair to me.
What opportunities exist for self-representation by the subject?
There might be some leeway of the way the character is represented, this depends on the way the actor plays the role. There might be some but we aren't to know how much opportunity there is for self-representation.
Media Languages and Forms
What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?
I don't really understand this question.
What is the significance of mise-en-scene?
The lawyers costumes are all suits, or a variation of suits. Franklin and Bash both wear suits but they wear variations of suits, for example they dont do their top bottons, nor do they do their tie the whole way up unlike the rest of the lawyers at the firm, this connotes that they are different from the rest of the lawyers at the firm. The lighting throughout is the same in most scenes, with very little difference in the lighting, this is what my untrained lighting eye sees. Actors, I dont understand what is meant by actors in this sense.
What work is done by the soundtrack?
The soundtrack is a very contemporary one, and one that varies in its music. The soundtrack sets the mood for the scene and often carries it for the audience member, telling them whats coming up and also how to feel. The soundtrack is used during changes of scenes, accompanied by the scenery of the beautiful LA, gives it that relaxed feel that Franklin and Bash have towards their life and lawyer work.
What are the dominant images and iconography, and what is their relevance to the major themes of the text?
I don't really understand this question.
What is the significance of mise-en-scene?
The lawyers costumes are all suits, or a variation of suits. Franklin and Bash both wear suits but they wear variations of suits, for example they dont do their top bottons, nor do they do their tie the whole way up unlike the rest of the lawyers at the firm, this connotes that they are different from the rest of the lawyers at the firm. The lighting throughout is the same in most scenes, with very little difference in the lighting, this is what my untrained lighting eye sees. Actors, I dont understand what is meant by actors in this sense.
What work is done by the soundtrack?
The soundtrack is a very contemporary one, and one that varies in its music. The soundtrack sets the mood for the scene and often carries it for the audience member, telling them whats coming up and also how to feel. The soundtrack is used during changes of scenes, accompanied by the scenery of the beautiful LA, gives it that relaxed feel that Franklin and Bash have towards their life and lawyer work.
What are the dominant images and iconography, and what is their relevance to the major themes of the text?
Most of the people in the lawyer firm are white, and so are the judges showing that most people in power are of the white race. However Franklin & Bash's co-workers or sidekicks are ethnic minorities. They are stereotypically represented but with a twist, the black young lady has a criminal record but happens to be smart and have an eye for law, and the indian man is extremely smart but has a phobia that doesn't allow him to leave the house. Most of the time Franklin and Bash win their cases after loosing the initial battle, but they then work hard and end up winning the case. This shows that hard work + smarts will take you far.
What sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning (e.g. camera positioning, editing, the way that images and sounds are combined to convey meaning)?
The camera position is used to show power in many different situations during conversations in the show. When there is a change in scenes, they go to scenery of LA, with upteimpo music connotating that LA is this amazing, fun place that has a mellow vibe to it. This connotation could also be to the duos attitude towards work, and their whole mentality in a way.
Narrative
How is narrative organised and structured?
The narrative of each episode follows the same structure. The structure is roughly, new case, they encounter an unforeseen problem, struggle with the problem, look like they are going to fail the clients case, and then find a way to solve the case, prove their client is innocent and everyone lives on happy. The narrative is organised in a way which takes the audience on a roller-coaster in a sort, taking them through highs and lows of the characters work and love lives.
How is the audience positioned in relation to the audience?
The audience is positioned in a way that shows them most of the same things that the two main characters see. The audience is shown the other on going storylines. So in a sense the audience gets involved in the case, because they are given the same information that the lawyers are, but then in another sense they are also just a spectator, as they get to view the whole show because they see all the other on going storylines.
How are characters delineated? What is their narrative function? How are villians and heros created?
I dont really understand this question.The characters are portrayed as the catalysts for the narrative. They move it along. The heroes are created when the lawyers prove the innocent people innocent and this makes them the hero. The villian is often someone who has lied in the episode, often the opposition console who prey on any vulnerability to try and win, they often dont care about the person who is on trial.
What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?
None.
What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc within the narrative?
What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?
Genre
To which genre does the text belong?
What are the major generic conventions within the text?
What are the major iconographic features of the text?
What are the major generic themes?
To what extent are the characters generically determined?
To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text?
They are slightly cheated in one expect. There is some drama but not as much as some may desire, the humour also might not be to everyones taste, some of it is very fast paced and also sarcastic that some people dont like.
Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?
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?
Media Institutions
What is the institutional source of the text?
In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?
Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?
Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does this matter?
How has the text been distributed?
Media Values and Ideology
What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?
That sex plays a big part in society. They depict a male dominated society where the majority of jobs that are higher up are given to the males and not to the females. The text often carries the work load from work over into the house and often making them problems along the way, but sometimes Franklin and Bash solve the problems at home. This shows that the institution believe that the work load should be solved and completed at almost any cost.
What criteria have been used for selecting the content presented?
I am not sure. I am not the director or the producer.
Media Audiences
To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience? (Demographics, Psychographics)
What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?
They have a sense of humour clearly as they get some if not all of the jokes within the show, and find humor within the scenarios that happen in the show. They also are quite smart I think, because they are likely to understand the lawyer jargon they often use.
What assumptions about the audience are implicit in the text’s scheduling or positioning?
In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?
What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?
What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?
That all men think about is sex. This is evident because in every episode there are sexual innuendos, women that are shown as sexual objects.
What are the audience pleasures, uses or gratifications? (Refer to theory).
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?
As an audience member I enjoy the text, I really enjoy it otherwise I wouldn't be watching it. I watch it for entertainment purposes. I think my reading of the text is affected by my age, because I look at their life like it is amazing, but others will look at it differently. For example they are in their 30s some people might want kids and look at them like something is wrong with them but for me that looks ideal. An example of different readings. My gender also affects it because the objectification of the women is fine with me, but for some females it will be a major issues, but me being a hetrosexual male, I find nothing wrong with it. Yeah also my background happens to play a part in it. I think these things are extremely important in determine how a person reads a text because its how their raised, their values and everything about them really.
Some of my information came from wikipiedia the link is below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_and_Bash
Here is a link to a review of the season 1 finale. This is a postitive review of the hit US show.
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/08/franklin-and-bash-season-finale-review-party-hard-ball/
Here is another review of Franklin and Bash, but this one comes from the season premiere and has roughly the same flavour as the other review does.
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/07/franklin-and-bash-review-for-the-love-of-jared/
Here is a link to the IMDb page for Franklin and Bash, they have given the show 7.8/10 from users.
What sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning (e.g. camera positioning, editing, the way that images and sounds are combined to convey meaning)?
The camera position is used to show power in many different situations during conversations in the show. When there is a change in scenes, they go to scenery of LA, with upteimpo music connotating that LA is this amazing, fun place that has a mellow vibe to it. This connotation could also be to the duos attitude towards work, and their whole mentality in a way.
Narrative
How is narrative organised and structured?
The narrative of each episode follows the same structure. The structure is roughly, new case, they encounter an unforeseen problem, struggle with the problem, look like they are going to fail the clients case, and then find a way to solve the case, prove their client is innocent and everyone lives on happy. The narrative is organised in a way which takes the audience on a roller-coaster in a sort, taking them through highs and lows of the characters work and love lives.
How is the audience positioned in relation to the audience?
The audience is positioned in a way that shows them most of the same things that the two main characters see. The audience is shown the other on going storylines. So in a sense the audience gets involved in the case, because they are given the same information that the lawyers are, but then in another sense they are also just a spectator, as they get to view the whole show because they see all the other on going storylines.
How are characters delineated? What is their narrative function? How are villians and heros created?
I dont really understand this question.The characters are portrayed as the catalysts for the narrative. They move it along. The heroes are created when the lawyers prove the innocent people innocent and this makes them the hero. The villian is often someone who has lied in the episode, often the opposition console who prey on any vulnerability to try and win, they often dont care about the person who is on trial.
What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?
None.
What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc within the narrative?
The music is very melo and relaxed. Its simple and usually accompanies establishing shots as long as the party scenes. In the party scenes the music is upteimpo and joyus. This connotes the lifestyle that the main characters live and their attitude to life, work and etc. The editing is smooth, no jumpy cuts, just smooth transitions, this again possibly connotes about the lifestyle and work ethic of franklin and bash.
What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?
The major themes are: justice, comedy and romance.
Genre
To which genre does the text belong?
Drama- comedy.
What are the major generic conventions within the text?
Drama and comedy. The show follows todorovs narrative structure roughly, through most episodes apart from a couple of episodes where they are 2part.
What are the major iconographic features of the text?
In most american shows the text has to revolve around certain things. Certain places include the work place, home, a cafe, these types of places. This show revolves around the work place, the home and also a diner that they go to the end of the episode once the've resolved whatever problem they have.
What are the major generic themes?
Drama and comedy.
To what extent are the characters generically determined?
To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text?
They are slightly cheated in one expect. There is some drama but not as much as some may desire, the humour also might not be to everyones taste, some of it is very fast paced and also sarcastic that some people dont like.
Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?
The text conforms to the characteristics, and exaggerates some of them sometimes.
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 show stars an actor that is most famous for his acting in a childrens/teens show called Saved by the bell where he was the hero of the show. He is a star to some audience members and might draw in a younger audience, but might not be seen as a star to all the audience members. In the show saved by the bell he was a playful, charming character that would get into trouble but then charm his way out of it. He is somewhat the same character, but he is grown up and a bit different but pretty much the same.
Media Institutions
What is the institutional source of the text?
Sony pictures television.
In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?
Not sure.
Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?
Commercial. They get their revenue from commercials unlike public service broadcasters. They dont have to produce a certain amount of ethnic programming either.
Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does this matter?
Steve Mosko. No it doesnt matter.
How has the text been distributed?
The text has been distributed across different networks that have bid for the shows to be broadcasted on their channels and then in some countries the show is broadcasted on the Sony television channel. It is broadcasted in 17 countries.
What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?
That sex plays a big part in society. They depict a male dominated society where the majority of jobs that are higher up are given to the males and not to the females. The text often carries the work load from work over into the house and often making them problems along the way, but sometimes Franklin and Bash solve the problems at home. This shows that the institution believe that the work load should be solved and completed at almost any cost.
What criteria have been used for selecting the content presented?
I am not sure. I am not the director or the producer.
Media Audiences
To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience? (Demographics, Psychographics)
18-49 year old males and females more males than females though. The main characters are young professionals and the show is aimed at people either in those jobs or those aspiring to get there. The show is mainly aimed at men because of some of the views expressed towards women. Also women are often shown in bikinis. Coming home after a tiring long day at work and having a house full of attractive women in bikinis dancing around is most mens dreams not many womens dreams I would of thought. The romantic storylines will keep the women interested however.
What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?
They have a sense of humour clearly as they get some if not all of the jokes within the show, and find humor within the scenarios that happen in the show. They also are quite smart I think, because they are likely to understand the lawyer jargon they often use.
What assumptions about the audience are implicit in the text’s scheduling or positioning?
It is on at 10pm on a thursday, the audience members are either going to watch it or they are going to record it. They might watch it to unwind after work or once the kids have gone to bed.
In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?
They are likely to receive the text in their home. I think this makes the text one that is for entertainment purposes more than a text that is for analysis.
What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?
On the season premire there was an audience of 2.74 million (1.14 million aged 18-49) and on the season finale there was an audience of 2.54 million ( 1.21 million aged 18-49).
What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?
That all men think about is sex. This is evident because in every episode there are sexual innuendos, women that are shown as sexual objects.
What are the audience pleasures, uses or gratifications? (Refer to theory).
They could get some uses and gratifications from the text for example: escapism and also identification. There are visual pleasures for example the beautiful establishing shots of the LA skyline and also the sunshine, that is always shining.
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?
As an audience member I enjoy the text, I really enjoy it otherwise I wouldn't be watching it. I watch it for entertainment purposes. I think my reading of the text is affected by my age, because I look at their life like it is amazing, but others will look at it differently. For example they are in their 30s some people might want kids and look at them like something is wrong with them but for me that looks ideal. An example of different readings. My gender also affects it because the objectification of the women is fine with me, but for some females it will be a major issues, but me being a hetrosexual male, I find nothing wrong with it. Yeah also my background happens to play a part in it. I think these things are extremely important in determine how a person reads a text because its how their raised, their values and everything about them really.
Some of my information came from wikipiedia the link is below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_and_Bash
Here is a link to a review of the season 1 finale. This is a postitive review of the hit US show.
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/08/franklin-and-bash-season-finale-review-party-hard-ball/
Here is another review of Franklin and Bash, but this one comes from the season premiere and has roughly the same flavour as the other review does.
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/07/franklin-and-bash-review-for-the-love-of-jared/
Here is a link to the IMDb page for Franklin and Bash, they have given the show 7.8/10 from users.
