SECTION A EXAM

PRACTICE

SKYFALL MOTORBIKE SEQUENCE

THE CLIP

This paper is based on the motorbike chase

sequence at the start of Skyfall (2012)

The clip lasts for approximately 3mins, and can

easily be found on YouTube

QUESTION1

Explain two ways in which the narrative (events and

characters) in this extract fits in the action adventure genre.

Refer to specific examples in the extract.

(10 Marks)

What is this asking you to do?

A*/A GRADE

Level 4 answers should competently use media language

(such as ‘convention’, ‘protagonist’, and ‘antagonist’) to

discuss the two conventions identified.

Level 4 (8–10 marks)

Explains two generic narrative features

Shows thorough understanding of appropriate generic

conventions

Ideas and arguments supported by evidence

Precise and accurate use of terminology

Fluent and clear expression

C GRADE

Level 3 answers should identify two generic features.

Level 3 (6–7 marks)

States two generic narrative features

Shows sound understanding of appropriate generic

conventions

Offers sound textual evidence (at the top)

Some accurate use of terminology

Fluent and clear expression, errors do not obscure meaning.

CONTENT C GRADE

You should discuss various features of the extract that fit the

conventions of the action/adventure genre, for example:

hero and villains

conflict and violence

hero is indestructible

high adrenaline chase sequences

jeopardy or peril.

CONTENT A*/A GRADE

You should discuss the conventions in accurate detail sophisticated media terminology

Binary oppositions- good (M16 agents) versus evil (terrorists/henchmen)

High adrenaline chase sequences, with fast paced editing

Signifiers of the genre- weapons have the connotative effect of ever present danger

Highly populated exotic locations, with the potential of high casualties

Lack of realism through exaggerated action sequences, reinforces the constant threat of death throughout the sequence

Invincible male protagonist (Bond), with Propp’s ‘helper’ character (Moneypenny) to support his quest

QUESTION 2

Question 2:

Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:

Soundtrack

Editing

Mise-en-scene

Camera work

(20 Marks)

Here you need to really know your media terminology, technical codes and symbolic codes

A*/A GRADE

These answers contain more than one example for each technical area,

accurately described, with effective

connotative analysis for each

element.

A*/A CRITERIA

Level 4 (16–20 marks)

Comprehensive range of examples (all

bullet points accurate)

Detailed analysis of textual evidence from

the extract, precise and accurate use of

terminology

Thorough understanding of connotative

effect

Ideas expressed clearly and fluently.

C GRADE

These answers should accurately

describe one example for each bullet

point, identifying the connotative

effects within these.

C CRITERIA

Level 3 (12–15 marks)

Comprehensive range of examples (all

bullet points attempted)

Offers sound textual evidence from the

extract, some accurate use of terminology

Sound understanding of connotative effect

Ideas expressed with some clarity and

fluency

SOUND

• Mix of diegetic and non-diegetic audio to enhance the

excitement and sense of danger in the sequence

• Throughout the chase scene there are various sounds

mixed together and played at the same time to reflect the

send of chaos which is visually represented in the busy

mise-en-scene of the market place (the Grand Bazaar)

• The use of multi-layered sound adds to the drama as the

audience can hear the tiles falling off the rooftop whilst

Bond pursues the henchman In addition to the chatter of

the potential vicitms in the streets below, emphasizing the

potential danger in the scene

SOUND CONT.

• As Bond enters the street there are diegetic sounds of

middle eastern music played to signal the location of the

scene to the audience

• The diegetic sounds of shouts and screams from the

citizens in the marketplace enhance the sense of

pandemonium in the street

• The diegetic sound of the drum beat reflects the sound of

a rhythmic heartbeat, signifying the sense of adrenaline

and excitement in the scene

SOUND CONT.

The non diegetic sounds signal to the audience the

heightened sense of danger which Bond faces as he races

through the streets

Back in London the sound of computers and technology is

heard to connote the intelligence of the M16 building, and

contrast with the market place of the Middle East

As Bond flies through the air the sound is reduced to

heighten the suspense over whether he will survive the fall,

as he lands the Bond theme sting plays to signify his power

and survival skills

EDITING

• Continuity editing is used in the chase sequence to

ensure the audience are hooked into the drama and

engage in the sequence, allowing the scene to move

between various locations smoothly and effectively. This

is demonstrated between the transition between the roof

top chase and train sequence, as the rooftop finished the

train track is introduced in the shot

• Fast paced editing signifies the danger that Bond is in to

the audience, and keeps them on the edge of their seats

wondering what is going to happen next

EDITING CONT.

• The cross cutting between Bond and M signify their close

relationship within the narrative and the hierarchy

between the characters. This also suggests the mission is

of great importance as they are in direct contact with M16

head quarters signifying it is a matter of national security.

• A mix of subjective and objective filming is cut together to

allow the audience to both feel a part of the action as have

a clear sense of the location and potential threats which

lay ahead for the hero

MISE-EN-SCENE

• Costume- Bond wears a suit throughout the scene, signifying his status as a character, the suit suggests Bond is of a higher social status and therefore the best in his field. This also adds to the sex appeal of the character, he is constructed as a character that the audience can both lust after, and aspire to (depending on their sexual preference)

• The high level of danger in the highly populated areas signifies that Bond has experience of these situations and can handle himself in these situations

• Bond’s lack of fear is signified through his facial expressions and body language meeting the conventions of heroes within this genre

MISE-EN-SCENE CONT.

• The colour grading of the scenes within the clip are used

to signify the two contrasting locations of the UK and the

Middle East, London has a blue hue with Istanbul having a

contrasting gold hue signifying the two very different

locations

• Various locations are used to ensure the audience stay

engaged in the high adrenaline action of the chase scene,

these locations have visual contrasts from the bird’s eye

view of the roof tops to the close up confined locations of

the winding market streets. The contrasting locations also

reflect the binary oppositions of good versus evil

CAMERA WORK

• Large amount of camera shots used in this sequence to visually engage the audience in the chase sequence

• Generally when Bond is in a shot he is filmed with a slight low angle to signify his power and importance

• In contrast the villain tends to be shot with a slight high angle to signify his lower status in the scene

• An establishing aerial shot is used to set the location of the Grand Bazaar to the audience to inform them of the high population of the area and the potential victims

• The tracking shots of the motorbike chase allow the audience to feel a part of the chase sequence and engage in the action

CAMERA WORK CONT.

• Point of view shots from Bond are used to position the

audience with the hero and signal his importance and

create a link between them, thus further vilifying the

henchman

• Close up shots are used to capture the intensity of the

emotions on the characters’ faces (both Moneypenny and

Bond) this signifies their drive and determinism to capture

the villain and their lack of fear in the situation, thus

representing them as strong powerful characters

• The audience are positioned in the Jeep with Moneypenny

signifying she is a figure of importance and connects her

Bond’s mission

QUESTION 3

Discuss the various representations on offer in this extract.

You should refer to:

Age

Gender

Race and nationality

The British security force

Turkey and the Middle East (Istanbul)

(20 Marks)

Here you need to be deconstructing the text and

discussing the signifiers and symbolic codes.

It is key to remember reinforcement of stereotypes and

the use of counter stereotypes

A*/A GRADE

These answers may offer a sophisticated discussion of stereotyping of one group, or explore effectively the representation of a range of social groups. At the top of this level answers may show some understanding of ideologies and/or values.

Level 4 (16–20 marks)Shows thorough understanding of appropriate representation issuesDiscusses a range of representation issues in the extract, or discusses one or more issues in depthOffers a range of textual evidence from the extract that exemplifies these issuesIdeas expressed clearly and fluently in well structured sentences with few, if any, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

C GRADE

These answers have a clear understanding of stereotyping

in a developed response.

Level 3 (12–15 marks)

Clearly identifies at least one representation issue in the extract

Shows sound understanding of appropriate representation issues

– accurate use of the term ‘stereotyping’

Offers textual evidence from the extract that exemplifies these

issues

Ideas expressed with some clarity and fluency; errors of spelling,

punctuation and grammar do not obscure meaning.

REPRESENTATION

• Stereotypical representation of violence as a primarily male activity

• Stereotypical male hero role

• Females represented as being incapable of defeating the ‘villain’- Moneypenny missing the shot and shooting Bond at the end of the scene

• Age signifying wisdom- M being the voice of authority in London

• Male protagonist’s actions connote both his lack of fear and his isolation from society suggesting he lives for his job

STEREOTYPES

• British security force represented as being emotionless

with M instructing Moneypenny to take the shot at the end

even though Bond might potentially be taken out- signifies

the British ‘stiff upper lip’

• Britain represented as a cold grey location, with rain

swept London contrasted with the dusty heat of Istanbul

by cross cutting location scenes

• The Middle East is represented as exotic and different to

the West, with the potential threat of terrorism linked with

the location of the chase sequence. Britain linked with

connotations of good and the East linked with

connotations of threat and danger

COUNTER STEREOTYPES

• Counter stereotypical female engaged in violent

combat – Moneypenny is represented as a

strong female character with a pragmatic

reaction to the chaos around her

• Female in a position of authority over the male

hero – M giving instructions from London M16

• The male hero being shot at the end of the scene

signifying he might not be indestructible after all