Media Studies: News, Music/Video and Film Scene Analysis by Lara Abdelwahed https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z en-us 2021-07-26 06:13:35 UTC 2025-11-08 13:13:29 UTC hello@padlet.com News Analysis 349951780 https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1660829070
Comparison of The Headlines

       Although both the National Post and CTV News are talking about the same story, the headlines vary; The contrasting headlines can potential create a completely different image in the reader's mind depending on which one they read. The headline from CTV news has a more friendly approach. Diction including phrases like "should provide raw data" suggests a none-aggressive neutral tone. This further can give the idea that North America is working along side China to identify the origin and prevent a Global pandemic situation to occur again, right from its root cause. 

        In regards to the National Post's article, the headline uses diction that can suggest a more hostile approach to the situation. Phrases like "China rejects" puts China in a negative light. Although China did reject the notion, they had their motifs and that was not clearly represented in the headline. A better, unbiased headline would avoid aggressive diction which can insert a negative image into the readers mind before they even read the article. 

Identifying Stereotypes

        Stereotypes are a widely basic belief about a group of people or ethnicity. It is human nature for us to stereotype everything we see in our life. That is why it becomes important to be able to distinguish what is factual, unbiased information and what is simply a stereotypical observation. 

       News writers are careful to avoid stereotypical or hurtful messages as it can result in humiliation of the news outlet. Nevertheless, taking a look at the National Posts article, in the ninth paragraph it states "jumped to humans from animals being sold for food at the city market". Although this statement isn't too far off from the truth, the diction suggests that this is something terribly wrong. The consumption of these "animals" have been apart of Chinese cultures for centuries and this statement enforces the negative image that the Chinese eat uncommon animals which resulted in the cause of the COVID-19 virus. North Americans also eat animal products, that does not mean that could potentially create a new strand of COVID-19. So although this statement is somewhat based on the truth it is important to think from both perspectives and respect both cultures while doing so. After carefully scrutinizing the CTV article it appears to have no stereotypical statements or regards. 

]]> 2021-07-26 06:23:35 UTC https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1660829070 349951780 https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1661153634 Identifying Assumptions, Missing Contexts and Perspectives

       Depending on the story, how new it is and the specific situation different forms of media provide different amount of context as they see fit. In this situation both articles avoided explaining the fundamentals of the COVID-19 virus as they assumed everyone already knows all about it. Another important thing to consider, is the target demographic. In both cases the authors assumed the target audience would be someone of an older age, potentially age 15+ so explaining simple terms like what is COVID-19 or what 'WHO' is would simply be unnecessary.  Another assumption that both articles make, is they assume the reader knows the presumptive, current cause of the virus which is from food consumption gone wrong.

       As these articles are written from a North American perspective, it lacks the true story from the other side (China).  What may seem "deeply disappoint[ing]" to the National Post, present in paragraph eleven; is actually quite disrespectful to Chinese officials. Usually it is very difficult to get both sides of the truth from a single story or news article that is why it is crucial to be aware of potential biases before you consume any form of media.

Comparison of Language Used to Evoke Emotion

Diction, tone and several other rhetorical devices are utilized by all forms of media creators and writers to evoke emotion in the reader/audience. Starting off with the National Post. The emotion the writer helps enforce throughout the story is disappointed/betrayed. Starting from the headline using a more friendly approach like 'suggests a different strategy' instead of the word "reject" could help create a less disappointing negative tone. The article also quotes American President Joe Biden in paragraph eleven stating "[he is] deeply disappointed". The selection of words play a big role in the emotion the reader feels. The article written by CTV news evokes a more humanitarian emotion. Statements like "We owe it to the millions who suffered and the millions who died to know what happened" in paragraph five. Another important thing to note is CTV makes it appear more like a team effort rather than the National Posts aggressive approach. CTV often uses words like 'we' and statements like "look forward to working with the Chinese" in paragraph 8 which helps suggest a more friendly tone. 

]]> 2021-07-26 14:43:21 UTC https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1661153634 Music Video Analysis 349951780 https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1661185687
General Lyrics

     The song 'White Woman's Instagram' by Bo Burnham has several layers of meaning, hidden references, jokes and other funny references that only the target demographic of Instagram users would understand. The lyrics follow the stereotypical white girl and what she would be posting on her account. Inferences are made on her posts, stories and captions. For example verse two talks about "latte foam art, tiny pumpkins and fuzzy, comfy socks". All things a stereotypical white girl would be posting. Overall I believe this is a less critical but still a stereotypical way to make fun of what white woman post on social media.


Photo 1:
Timestamp: 3:43

Lyrics

     At the time of this image, Burnham was simply repeating "a white girls Instagram" and showing stereotypical pictures.

Lighting

     The lighting in this specific image is bottom lighting and a black and white filter is placed over it. The combination of these two makes the message and image appear to become more serious than the rest of the song. 

Camera Angles

     The camera angle being used is an eye-level portrait shot of his face. This could be because generally when something is a face shot, it indicates that something really important is being told.

Objects

     The are no tangible objects in this photo but there is  writing all over his face. This writing appears to have a positive message. On one side of his face it says hurtful things people call woman and then when he turns to the final and other side it shows all the positive things that woman can be. This helps this song/image have a positive message as well not just be solely for comedic purposes. 


Photo #2
Timestamp: 2:52

Lyrics

     When this image was being presented the lyrics were talking about a stereotypical white girl telling her mom how she moved out into her own apartment and finally got a boyfriend. An attempt to make her mother proud. Similar to almost every other line in the song, it mocks white girls but in a way that isn't very disrespectful.

Lighting

     The lighting present in this photo is from the LED lights around the room. This gives this photo a very warm and relaxed feeling. It is avoiding bright white lights and rather has that cozy sense.

Camera Angles

     This is shot at a full shot/full body portrait. This angle presents a more relaxed vibe as it is not concentrated on one aspect of the image or situation rather has a large aspect ratio with many things in the shot.

Objects

  There are a few props in this image including the LED lights surrounding the trim of the wall, door and window. This is a popular style amongst younger woman/teens. 
]]> 2021-07-26 15:21:52 UTC https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1661185687 Film Scene Analysis 349951780 https://padlet.com/349951780/u7iq1fv32r8w738z/wish/1661219511 Film: The Amazing Spiderman 2012

Trope #1: After the character Captain Stacy died, the funeral took place and it rained. 

Tropes perpetuates stereotypes

     This is a common stereotypical trope that after someone dies or something very sad happens in a film or a tv show, it often starts raining. Statements like Peter saying "I wish I was there" help create the sad, disappointed atmosphere of the scene. This popular use of pathetic fallacy does help regurgitate how the director wants the audience to feel but can also make the movie feel predictable and lack distinction.

Tropes subverts stereotypes

     The way this trope actually helps this movie is it helps create shock and controls how the audience should feel. As when Captain Stacy has his funeral it rains, which suggests a setting of sadness and loss. While when the villain dies, Norman Osborn, his funeral was sunny which suggested a more happy tone. This is how the director used weather and a twist to a common trope to make the audience feel a certain way.


Trope #2: Adaptive Nice Guy

Trope Perpetuates Stereotypes

     This trope is about a character named Flash Thompson. Flash is notorious for bullying Peter Parker (the protagonist). Taking his lunch money, beating him up in the school hallway, embarrassing him in front of girls at their school. This stereotypical jock helps Peter Parker become a more relatable character in the movie. The goal of the director is to make Peter as relatable as possible, as it helps kids enjoy the movie better. Many kids have a Flash(bully) figure in their life so this helps them relate with the protagonist.

Tropes subverts stereotypes

  The way this trope defies the typical jock is after the death of Uncle Ben, Flash allows Peter to push him around and bully him back. After Peter pushes Flash against the wall, Flash says "It feels good, doesn't it?" suggesting that he too went through something similar. Or that there is a deeper reason to why Flash is a bully. This shows the bully in a weak position and showing affection, which is not common in most stereotypical bully characters.  
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