March PPE Learner Response

www: Excellent, fluent writing; close textual analysis; great use of theory.

ebi: A little more focus on the question for Q1 + 4 - add a paragraph to each

Q1: 4/9 points made
Could have added a more in depth analysis focusing more on the question itself and the institution trying to appeal to a younger audience and the youths.
Q2: 6/9 points made
I successfully answered this question as I got 11/12 on this question. I focused primarily on the marginalised group of the disabled and how the media do not focus on them and they are invisible.
Q3: 5/9 points made
Successful answer and all my points were backed up with evidence from the clip and also I related it to other media texts such as film to show the similarities between the trailer and other media texts.
Q4: 4/8 points made
I could have focused more on the question and focused more on the paralympic games itself rather than the actual people as the question referred to the event rather than the representation of people.

Q2 was my strongest question as this was, I believe, the easiest question. It was a straight forward question relating to audience and it allowed me to talk about a lot in terms of theories and in depth analysis of the different shots and the style of the trailer itself. The trailer was quite gladiatorial, which was evident, therefore it allowed me to link this to other films and media texts such as Avengers and X - Men and in general, superhero movies.

Q1 was my weakest question because I did not fully refer to the question. I also did not involve a lot of media terminology or theory within this institution question as I simply did not know what to write about it. I tried to also link it to the uses and gratifications theory as this was the only theory that I felt could link, however in order to make the answer better, I should have linked this theory back to the question to support the idea more thoroughly and in depth.

I think my responses were all very successful. Q1: was my weakest question, therefore I think this is one of my unsuccessful questions due to. Q2: this was my most successful question due to being within the top band. Q3: was a successful question due to being in the top band too. Q4: was also very successful.

Question 1: Media Institutions 

How does the trailer promote Channel 4's brand image? 

Channel 4 is a public service broadcaster with their remit being, 'do it first, make trouble, inspire change.' However due to their criticism for hosting a number of reality TV shows, which are fairly low-brow, the channel decided to promote the paralympics, which accentuates their brand image and enables their to be broader and more positive. The brand hold ideologies which 'inspire change,' therefore the whole idea of people with disabilities can essentially 'inspire change' as they want to lead a normal life and they can. The use of the positive representation reveals Channel 4 as a positive channel that promotes inclusivity.

In the media, there are a number of things that are within society but left out of the media. Disabled people are seen as invisible on screen and as a marginalised target. Channel 4's motive to 'inspire change' shows difference and a message that can ultimately influence others and young people too. The use of the attitude and aggression presented through the characters and the music choice, would particularly interest a young audience as there is hip hop music in the background. This also promotes how the institution aims to sell the paralympics to a younger audience and to promote it to the youths as well as the elder generation. The fact that 10million viewers watched the broadcast reinforces the successes of revealing this marginalised group of people and shows that it is something that an audience wants to see. Therefore by Channel 4 promoting this, it encourages a more positive brand image for the channel itself.

Due to the channel being a public service broadcaster, we would expect it to reflect society and humanity in the correct and realistic way, similar to BBC. Audiences want to see themselves on TV and feel good about being within their society, therefore by focusing on the paralympics and providing them with coverage, it promotes Channel 4's brand image as one of diversity, unity and friendship. This would therefore link to the idea of the uses and gratifications theory as an audience would connect with the people and therefore personal relationships would be formed.