Textual Analysis Exam (12 mark)

Textual Analysis Exam (12 mark) ♡

analyse how genre conventions have been used to create meaning in a media product you have studied (12)

Point - what is the point you're making

Example - where does this specifically link to the set text

Explain - how does it link back to the question and why? Here is when you can expand on your media language

Theory - what theory does this link support

• 3 paragraphs + 1/2 sentence introduction, explaining what text has been studied and where in text
• if you have time you can include a conclusion just summarising 

plan

1 

• mise en scene
• first scene
• colours of car light, colour of car
• costume
• context - representation
• levi-strauss, white vs black

2

• sound
• first scene
• run rabbit - diegetic, turns to non-diegetic
• contrapuntal
• dragging legs
• nature sounds
• enigma codes

3

• camera
• first scene
• wide shot opening and ending - cyclical: foreshadowing, common occurrence
• following main character walking
• shaky camera
• visceral/intellectual pleasures

In Jordan Peel's 2017 film 'Get Out', many conventions of the horror genre are used to create meaning in many ways. This response will discuss media language micro-features featured in the opening scene of the film.

In the opening scene of ‘Get Out’, mise-en-scene is used to conform to horror conventions. One way in which this is presented is through the effect of lighting. There are a few street lights, however the street is still shown to be dark; this already foreshadows the possibility that crime will occur as it is often taken place at night. After the character (who is a black man) is shown to be walking down the dark street, a white car starts driving past him with bright white headlights. The colour white connotes innocence and pureness, implying to viewers that no harm will take place. This can be seen as an example of Levi-Strauss’s theory that narrative tension is based on opposition or conflict; the white car in an all dark environment demonstrates the opposition of ‘white vs black’, which is a key theme in this film, focusing on racial differences. However, later on in the scene when the man gets abducted from the person in the white car, the rear lights are shown, which are bright red. The colour red connotes danger, therefore highlighting the shift in narrative from what was first seen as innocent and pure has turned dangerous. Thus, this unexpected change in the narrative through the use of mise-en-scene reflects the horror genre.

Sound is also used in the opening scene to conform to horror conventions and bring fear upon viewers. The scene begins with diegetic sound of footsteps and wind rustling creating a mysterious tone. Later on in the scene, when the car appears, the contrapuntal diegetic sound of the song ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’ is played through the radio. The upbeat song gives the person in the car a false sense of innocence, juxtaposing the danger they will cause to the character walking in the street (the black male). However, the lyrics, ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’ implies the character is like prey that is endangered and must try to escape. This subverts traditional horror conventions as typically in films, black people are stereotyped and represented to be deviant and those who commit crimes. Therefore, the fact that the black character is the victim challenges this stereotype. This scene links to Barthes theory of enigma codes as contrapuntal sound, a traditional convention of the horror genre, poses the question as to why the man was taken and why he should ‘run’, leading them to continue watching.

Camera work is used to create meaning in the opening scene and foreshadow the rest of the events that may take place. The scene starts with a wide shot, establishing the location and character. It is all filmed in one take, creating suspense and tension for viewers. This is reinforced by the shaky handheld camera, creating a sense of normality where viewers feel as though they too are in the unknown situation of the character. The scene ends with a wide shot, the same as how it starts. This creates a cyclical structure, illustrating that the attack faced by the character is an often occurrence that is ongoing and will not stop. This brings about visceral pleasures, Altman’s theory that genre’s offer pleasures, in this case – fear. This is one of the main conventions of the horror genre, therefore camera work does demonstrate horror conventions to bring fight to viewers.