Research
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2618380/Not-just-pretty-face-The-jokes-eye-wateringly-crude-heart-throb-Zac-Efron-revelation-surprisingly-clever-comedy.html
This article from Daily Mail has a main focus on the Hollywood actor Zac Efron. The article gives a brief introduction on what the film is actually about and later goes into more focus on the actor himself. The article is from an older perspective rather than one from the younger generation. The writer gives a different insight to his opinions of the film than we would expect. He went to see the film with his 19 year old son as stated. However, the son was more 'shocked' and uncomfortable about what was happening in the film, as the writer states "A little worryingly, I enjoyed it even more than he did, perhaps because it has more to say to those of us recalling those phases of life than to those anticipating them." Furthermore, he also states his son was becoming uncomfortable in certain scenes, "One of the funniest but least subtle scenes concerns Kelly’s difficulties with breastfeeding. ‘Gross,’ muttered my son, while I was overcome less with laughter than with nostalgia." This therefore shows, that the younger generation are less prepared for things like this and adults are seen as more comfortable.
http://www.popcultureonline.net/bad-neighbours-review/
This article from PopCulture is quite similar to the article from the Daily Mail. It gives a brief summary of what the film is about, however, it doesn't focus on just one person. In addition, it has more of a focus on the clash between the younger generation and the older generation. It talks about the huge difference between the two generations through aspects of the film.
This article explains, like the other two articles, the story line of the film. However, it talks about the tensions between both the generations, and the war they have going on. Furthermore, it talks about why the younger generation are the way they are. For example, they go into detail about Zac Efron's character and how he isn't ready to grow up and leave college. Additionally, it talks about how the couple Mac and Kelly, want to try and stay cool even though they have a child and they're getting old.
MIGRAIN Key Concept Research
Media Representations
- Who is being represented? In what way? By whom?
The younger generation of society are being portrayed as reckless teenagers by the the older generation. This is conveyed through the teenagers in the film throwing frat parties, getting drunk, etc.
- Why is the subject being represented in this way?
The subject is being presented this way as it wants society to believe teenagers are reckless and have no goals or ambition. Instead, all they do is get drunk and throw loud parties. Furthermore, the younger generation are portrayed in this manner to show the huge difference between both generations.
- Is the representation fair and accurate?
In my opinion, I think the representation is accurate to an extent. However, I do not think it's fair as the movie shows more of teenagers that party and get drunk and not the other minority of students that study hard and stay in school.
- What opportunities exist for self-representation by the subject?
Throughout the film there were not a lot of opportunities for the teenagers themselves to portray themselves as well behaved
Media Languages and Forms
- What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?
The denotative meaning of this text would be that teenagers have just started college and all they want to do is get drunk and throw frat parties.
The connotative level of this film would be that these teenagers are just looking to have a bit of fun without causing any harm or damage.
Denotation: Teenagers having a party.
Connotation: Illegal, Drugs, Alcohol,
- What are the non-verbal structures of meaning in the text (e.g. gesture, facial expression, positional communication, clothing, props etc)?
The props throughout the film helps create a better feel of how reckless teenagers are. For example, during the party scenes, the use of bongs, lighters, party lights etc help show what the younger generation are like and what they enjoy doing. In contrast, the props used for the couples house is completely different to what the teenagers have in theirs.
- What is the significance of mise-en-scene/sets/settings (CLAMPS)?
The use of the film being set in an American frat house helps give off the feel of these teenagers having fun and partying. Furthermore, the use of difference settings such as the deans office conveys that even though the students aren't living on college grounds and they have a house instead, they are still in college. Additionally, the use of showing the husbands work place, emphasises the difference between both generations.
- What work is being done by the sound track/commentary/language of the text?
There were a variety of soundtracks used throughout the movie, in order to create the correct feel for the film. For example, during the party scenes they used upbeat party music, to fit the scenario. This helps with creating a more realistic atmosphere for the movie.
- 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)?
One way sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning is during the frat parties, the use of the quick cuts and the camera being hand held creates more of a realistic meaning and the loud party music in the background adds to this.
Narrative
- How is the narrative organised and structured?
The narrative begins with showing the couple at home with their baby girl, who is only a couple of months old at home. It conveys them trying to adjust to their new lifestyle, with the husband going out to work and the wife staying home to look after the child. It then goes to the scene of the teenagers from college moving into the house next to the couple. Soon after, the feud begins and the couple and teenagers are at war with each other.
- How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?
The audience both the younger and older generation have a chance to be able to relate with certain scenarios in the film. For example, the older generation are able to relate to the fact of staying home, taking care of responsibilities and going to work etc. Whereas the younger generation are able to relate to the fact of starting a new college, wanting to party have fun and basically do the complete opposite to what the older generation do. Therefore, the film is open to both generations being able to relate certain events throughout the film.
- How are characters delineated? What is their narrative function? How are heroes and villains created?
In this film, I don't think there's really any heroes or villains. However, this can be viewed differently from both generations. For example, the younger generation (the teens) may view the couple next door as the villains as they're the ones ruining the fun for the kids. This goes the same way for the older generation (the couple) as they would view the teenagers as the villains for constantly disturbing the couple and waking the baby up. Furthermore, the couple may be viewed as the heroes as the succeed in taking apart the frat party and getting the president of the frat arrested.
- What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc within the narrative?
The type of music that is played in certain scenes in this film along with sounds, is key in this type of film, as there are were a lot of parties shown the right kind of music had to be played to create the right environment. Also, the right setting and props used helped create a better narrative as it mad everything seem more realistic.
- What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?
College - teenagers partying, having fun, making new friends
Family - love, home, saftey
Brotherhood - friendship for life, true friends, love
Genre
- To which genre does the text belong?
Comedy
- What are the major generic conventions within the text? What are the major generic themes?
- Different types of characters; stupid, silly, funny characters are essential in a comedy film .
- Different camera shots; medium shots of characters facial expressions emphasises the comedy going on.
- Lighting; in comedies the lighting is often bright.
- Pacing jokes throughout the film.
- Characters reacting over dramatically.
- 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?
I think the audience's generic expectations are fulfilled to a great extent, as the film contains all the factors in order to make it a good comedy film. Not only does it do this but it allows both the younger and older generation to relate with certain aspects of the film. Additionally, I think it also conveys suitable characters for this type of film as it's characters the audience would be expecting.
- 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?
This film as three well known actors, Zac Efron, Dave Franco and Seth Rogen. Zac Efron and Dave Franco are associated with a lot of different genres of films, as well as comedy.
However, Seth Rogen is the one who is mainly associated with the comedy genre.
Media Institutions
- What is the institutional source of the text?
Point Grey Pictures - Good Universe.
- In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?
Point Grey Pictures is known for its genre in producing mainly Comedy films. Therefore, Bad Neighbors fitted in rightly with it being produced by Point Grey Pictures. Furthermore, the fact that it was produced by Point Grey Pictures helps make the film more comical.
- Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does this matter?
Point Grey Pictures is an American film production company founded by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in 2011. The company is named after Vancouver's Point Grey Secondary School, where Rogen and Goldberg first met.
- How has the text been distributed?
The film was distributed first in cinema's, then later released on DVD and then was later shown on TV.
Media Values and Ideology
- What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?
The major values in this film is to make the audience believe that the younger generation are young reckless teenagers who just want to party whilst doing illegal things, such as, smoking, underage drinking, sex etc.
Media Audiences
- To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience? (Demographics, Psychographics)
This movie is directed specifically at the younger generation, 16+. It could appeal to the older generation, but not as much. In terms of pyschographic groups, this movie would appeal to, mainstreamers, explorers and the resigned.
- What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?
Due to the type of scenes that are shown throughout the film, the audience would be comfortable with this. Furthermore, the type of language used (colloquial language) gives the audience a chance to relate with the move, as well as making it more comical.
- What assumptions about the audience are implicit in the text’s scheduling or positioning?
The fact the film was rated a 15 impacts younger viewers from watching the film, and would make the audience assume the film is quite explicit or rude.
- In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?
Considering this was produced a well known american company (Point Grey Pictures) the chances of the audience receiving this text would be very high, due to the promotions of this films and it being shown in cinemas etc.
- What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?
From the way the film was promoted and due to the well-known actors that star in this film, such as, Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, Dave Franco would help increase the size of the audience, therefore making it a well known film.
- What are the audience pleasures, uses or gratifications? (Refer to theory).
- Diversion: escape from reality, entertainment.
- Personal identity: seeing ourselves reflected in what is shown
- Personal relationships: developing a bond with the other characters ( brotherhood )
- 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?
Considering I am a teenager myself, I can almost relate with some of the stuff that goes on in the movie, for example wanting to have fun and party. But there were some aspects in the film that I could not relate to and didn't agree with, such as the drugs, etc.
