Describe a setting and explain how it influenced what happened in the film that you have studied.
In the film Mean Creek the settings had a big influence on what happened throughout it. The main setting at the water helps manipulate the plot and what is going to happen throughout the story.
The movie Mean Creek was mostly filmed on a creek in a rural area. This creek was mainly muddy greens and browns bringing the film a gloomy feel. At the start of the film the creek seemed to be filled with natural light flowing from behind the trees. As the film progressed the lighting seemed to turn dimmer as the events seemed to get worse. The setting of this film may have influenced the occurrences as it allowed the characters to be vulnerable to the dangers of the water and the intense emotional feel the setting has on the scenes which occur there.
As an audience, having the movie filmed on the water you would assume that the characters are going to be vulnerable to water dangers. Having the movie filmed here influenced the drowning of George as it allowed the ‘accident’ to easily take place. The characters were on the water for more than half of the movie which also allowed the characters to have a bigger chance of getting in water trouble.
The setting also influenced what happened as the swampy feel gave the film the feel of things going very wrong. It was here that the group is confronted with difficult decisions and is forced to make them alone in the emptiness of the creek bank. The sense of loneliness bred in this setting could also be blamed for the accident which happened as it made the characters more vulnerable to making poor decisions. The intensity of this setting may have had an effect on the in- security that the characters may have felt and helped symbolize the hard decisions that the characters had to make.
The setting at the creek influenced the plot of the film as it was the perfect place for vulnerable teenagers to get into trouble without any witnesses except themselves. The settings allowed the characters to make decisions which may have been forced upon them by the elders of the group without any adults to intervene.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Mean Creek Essay 1
Descibe an important idea in the text. Explain how verbal and or visual features of the text help you understand.
An important idea in the film Mean Creek directed by Jacob Aaron Estes is revenge. This idea is conveyed through verbal features such as repetition of certain pieces of speech and visual features like extreme close ups and the use of a personal point of view camera. Through the use of these techniques we are able to understand the ideas much more clearly.
Revenge is a reaction to something that somebody does. Throughout this movie revenge is what fuels the plot and becomes the main storyline. It was an intentional action that was planned before it happened and in this case the characters of this movie organized a deed in order to redeem revenge. This action does not normally end nicely.
The idea of revenge was explored by the use of the visual technique of a personal point of view camera used throughout the film. This was used from the start of the film to the end allowing the viewer to have an insight on personal views on an individual character and although most characters were seen through this shot it was mostly Georges view on life that was explored. This technique was used when the actions which caused the revenge occurred and again when the actual revenge plot took place. It helped show us the sense if individual emotions and sense of purpose in relation to the film as many parts of the film which had relevance to revenge was shot like this. An example of this is where at the start of the film Sam is seen to be fiddling with George’s camera and all of a sudden George comes up to Sam, the camera falls to the ground and you are viewer the scene as if you were also on the ground. This then relates to the events leading up to the revenge scene and continues to be used after the plot has taken place looking back on previous events.
This plot of revenge was conveyed quite clearly by the verbal technique of repetition. One scene which shows this technique is when George and the others are on the boat and George finds out about the plot to get back at him. George goes crazy and starts to repeat the sentence “his daddy splatted his brains all over the wall” over and over again. The use of this repetition helps emphasize the anger he is feeling and what happens after this highlights the outcome of revenge which never ends nicely. His repetition of this statement allows the viewer to become aware of his emotions in relation to the planned plot of revenge and shows us the results of a planned reaction to the bullying incident which happened earlier in the movie.
A visual technique which is used in this film is the use of extreme close ups. These are used through most of the film to capture the emotive feel of the characters but they are especially effective when used in order to convey the consequences of revenge. The use of the close ups are helpful as you are able to see all facials of the characters and give the audience the ability to explore further into these ideas that they may be expressing within their own mind in further depth.
These visual and verbal techniques are used to convey the idea of revenge throughout this film Mean Creek. They helped me to understand the sense of feel in relation to the idea of it.
An important idea in the film Mean Creek directed by Jacob Aaron Estes is revenge. This idea is conveyed through verbal features such as repetition of certain pieces of speech and visual features like extreme close ups and the use of a personal point of view camera. Through the use of these techniques we are able to understand the ideas much more clearly.
Revenge is a reaction to something that somebody does. Throughout this movie revenge is what fuels the plot and becomes the main storyline. It was an intentional action that was planned before it happened and in this case the characters of this movie organized a deed in order to redeem revenge. This action does not normally end nicely.
The idea of revenge was explored by the use of the visual technique of a personal point of view camera used throughout the film. This was used from the start of the film to the end allowing the viewer to have an insight on personal views on an individual character and although most characters were seen through this shot it was mostly Georges view on life that was explored. This technique was used when the actions which caused the revenge occurred and again when the actual revenge plot took place. It helped show us the sense if individual emotions and sense of purpose in relation to the film as many parts of the film which had relevance to revenge was shot like this. An example of this is where at the start of the film Sam is seen to be fiddling with George’s camera and all of a sudden George comes up to Sam, the camera falls to the ground and you are viewer the scene as if you were also on the ground. This then relates to the events leading up to the revenge scene and continues to be used after the plot has taken place looking back on previous events.
This plot of revenge was conveyed quite clearly by the verbal technique of repetition. One scene which shows this technique is when George and the others are on the boat and George finds out about the plot to get back at him. George goes crazy and starts to repeat the sentence “his daddy splatted his brains all over the wall” over and over again. The use of this repetition helps emphasize the anger he is feeling and what happens after this highlights the outcome of revenge which never ends nicely. His repetition of this statement allows the viewer to become aware of his emotions in relation to the planned plot of revenge and shows us the results of a planned reaction to the bullying incident which happened earlier in the movie.
A visual technique which is used in this film is the use of extreme close ups. These are used through most of the film to capture the emotive feel of the characters but they are especially effective when used in order to convey the consequences of revenge. The use of the close ups are helpful as you are able to see all facials of the characters and give the audience the ability to explore further into these ideas that they may be expressing within their own mind in further depth.
These visual and verbal techniques are used to convey the idea of revenge throughout this film Mean Creek. They helped me to understand the sense of feel in relation to the idea of it.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Should the drinking age be raised to 21?
There are many views on weather the drinking age in NZ should be raised to 21. There are some people who believe this should happen and there are people like I who believe it should not. I believe that no matter how old the drinking age is, weather it be raised or not, it will not affect the choices the teenagers of New Zealand will make in relation to drinking. For example our country relies on the taxes made from alcohol income and by raising the age this money will come to a holt, and if people at the age of 18 are legally able to get married and have family’s as well as vote and drive than surely they are able to consume alcohol, and having the age raised because of illegal teen drinking could be successfully slowed down if the laws for this are more harshly enforced. However by raising the drinking age it may be a way of curving the binge drinking within teenagers.
Our country relies on the taxes made from the money made from alcohol purchases. The thought of having the drinking age raised has no high chance of becoming a law as the New Zealand Government chargers tax on liquor additional to GST therefore by raising the age the money earned will decrease dramatically. Not only will this cause New Zealand problems as we are at a time where our economy is at a low but it will also have an effect on the country’s who supply imported alcohol to New Zealand. Alcohol taxes fund a great amount of the New Zealand economy and having the age raised will clearly lower this funding and leave New Zealand in a harsher position than it is already having the recession in mind.
At the age of 18 people are legally able to get married and have families, vote in New Zealand’s democratic election and hold a full driving license than surely they are able to consume alcohol. If people of this age are able to perform activities and be responsible for them then in result they must have enough responsibility to carry out those in relation to alcohol consumption. If the drinking age is raised it will stand an out layer when the law is looked at beside those laws in relation to others laws concerning the youth of New Zealand.
Having the age raised in hope of slowly down the consumption of alcohol within teenagers is not going to have that much of an affect as those who choose to drink illegally are going to weather it is against the law or not. Having this law may encourage teenagers not to drink but to get an equally successful outcome may be if the New Zealand Police Force enforces these laws more bleakly for example, having harsher consequences to those who chose to break the current drinking law like a longer period spent in the cells or a higher fine when arrested for violating this law. Enforcing the current law instead of creating new laws may cause less hassle for the government and in result be a quicker way of getting on top of the problems the society has on teen drinking.
However I do understand how by raising the drinking age it may have a positive affects on society. By doing this it has a good chance of curving the binge drinking within teenagers by stopping the easy access of getting a hold of alcohol. This may help stop teenagers getting into the habit of drinking and in result help stop endangering their well being. While teenagers do drink illegally having the age raised may limit the access teenagers under 18 have to buying alcohol therefore curving binge drinking.
I am against the drinking age being raised to 21 as I believe the negative outcomes of having this law made over rule the positive results it may have. If the 18 year olds of New Zealand are responsible enough to have families of their own then surely they able to hold the responsibilities of consuming alcohol. Although I do see the positives of having this law made such as curving the binging habits of some teenagers I still believe having the age raised will not do much to stop teen drinking actually happening as most teenagers chose to do this illegally anyway.
Our country relies on the taxes made from the money made from alcohol purchases. The thought of having the drinking age raised has no high chance of becoming a law as the New Zealand Government chargers tax on liquor additional to GST therefore by raising the age the money earned will decrease dramatically. Not only will this cause New Zealand problems as we are at a time where our economy is at a low but it will also have an effect on the country’s who supply imported alcohol to New Zealand. Alcohol taxes fund a great amount of the New Zealand economy and having the age raised will clearly lower this funding and leave New Zealand in a harsher position than it is already having the recession in mind.
At the age of 18 people are legally able to get married and have families, vote in New Zealand’s democratic election and hold a full driving license than surely they are able to consume alcohol. If people of this age are able to perform activities and be responsible for them then in result they must have enough responsibility to carry out those in relation to alcohol consumption. If the drinking age is raised it will stand an out layer when the law is looked at beside those laws in relation to others laws concerning the youth of New Zealand.
Having the age raised in hope of slowly down the consumption of alcohol within teenagers is not going to have that much of an affect as those who choose to drink illegally are going to weather it is against the law or not. Having this law may encourage teenagers not to drink but to get an equally successful outcome may be if the New Zealand Police Force enforces these laws more bleakly for example, having harsher consequences to those who chose to break the current drinking law like a longer period spent in the cells or a higher fine when arrested for violating this law. Enforcing the current law instead of creating new laws may cause less hassle for the government and in result be a quicker way of getting on top of the problems the society has on teen drinking.
However I do understand how by raising the drinking age it may have a positive affects on society. By doing this it has a good chance of curving the binge drinking within teenagers by stopping the easy access of getting a hold of alcohol. This may help stop teenagers getting into the habit of drinking and in result help stop endangering their well being. While teenagers do drink illegally having the age raised may limit the access teenagers under 18 have to buying alcohol therefore curving binge drinking.
I am against the drinking age being raised to 21 as I believe the negative outcomes of having this law made over rule the positive results it may have. If the 18 year olds of New Zealand are responsible enough to have families of their own then surely they able to hold the responsibilities of consuming alcohol. Although I do see the positives of having this law made such as curving the binging habits of some teenagers I still believe having the age raised will not do much to stop teen drinking actually happening as most teenagers chose to do this illegally anyway.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Are social networking sites endangering NZ teenagers?
There are many views on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Most of these are views from people believing that these sites are endangering New Zealand teenagers by exposing teenagers to sexual predators. There are also people who choose to oppose with this opinion and believe that these sites are safe and just a way of socializing with friends. I see both sides of this story but agree that these sites do endanger teenagers all over New Zealand.
The internet is open to all viewers of the public and this means being accessible to those with bad intentions. False identity through these socializing sites is a huge issue putting teenagers in risk of being stalked and prayed on by sexual predators. There are many people who use the internet but take it for advantage; this is why sites such as Facebook and MySpace have such bad connotations. Some people, most commonly men, use these sites to talk to females who are usually teenagers and earn their trust then obvious danger occurs. There are many stories on internet abuse, most of these stories having bad endings. Older men pretending to be young chatting to young girls on the internet, slowly trapping them into a web of trust and having the girls meet them in a secret place is a common occurrence. Although the majority of these social networking sites conditions only allow people over thirteen to make a profile, there is no real way of knowing who is who and how old they really are. These sites are commonly misused and there are often people posing as someone they’re not in order to trick someone one way or another. While using these sites there is no way of knowing if the information on each socializing page is real.
However on most of these social networking sites you are able to set your profile to private. By doing this only the people that are on your friends list are able to access your profile viewing your details and personal information. This setting allows the page holder to either except or decline other users who have requested to be their friend. The private setting helps the user of the site to keep personal information concealed and stop others who don’t have the user’s permission from seeing it.
Cyber bullying is another huge danger of social networking sites and this affects many teen agers of New Zealand. Forty percent of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year and although most of these incidents are said to have occurred in chat rooms, sites such as Facebook and MySpace are growing fast, and so are the cyber bullying incidents originating from them. There are experts who believe that these sites will soon overtake chat rooms as the top source of cyber bullying problems worldwide. Some of the most common cyber bullying occurs on these networking sites as others are able to steal an individual’s name and password then using their profile to post rumors, gossip or other damaging information. People are also able to alter photographs using PhotoShop or other photo editing software in order to humiliate the individual and using the web sites and blogs to post hurtful, embarrassing information about other people. There have been cases where cyber bullying had occurred and lives were ended in result of suicide.
However these sites are safe to a certain degree and usually depend on the user and how sensibly they use the internet. If the user chooses not to reveal personal information about themselves and they know how to use the internet safely they have a much higher chance of remaining safe. Many people use the sites for keeping in touch with friends, finding out the latest news with old friends and just away to waste time. If the users of these socializing sites are aware of the dangers which happen online the chances are they are more likely to avoid the harms that the internet does brings and prevent them from happening by knowing what to look out for.
There are many dangers that New Zealand teenagers are vulnerable to when using social networks and although there are ways of preventing these dangers by putting your profile on private or using the internet safely I believe New Zealand teenagers are still capable or being hurt. Most teenagers choose to ignore using the internet safely but even if they were aware of what can happen I believe that there would still be many teenagers still being hurt or harmed in one way or another.
The internet is open to all viewers of the public and this means being accessible to those with bad intentions. False identity through these socializing sites is a huge issue putting teenagers in risk of being stalked and prayed on by sexual predators. There are many people who use the internet but take it for advantage; this is why sites such as Facebook and MySpace have such bad connotations. Some people, most commonly men, use these sites to talk to females who are usually teenagers and earn their trust then obvious danger occurs. There are many stories on internet abuse, most of these stories having bad endings. Older men pretending to be young chatting to young girls on the internet, slowly trapping them into a web of trust and having the girls meet them in a secret place is a common occurrence. Although the majority of these social networking sites conditions only allow people over thirteen to make a profile, there is no real way of knowing who is who and how old they really are. These sites are commonly misused and there are often people posing as someone they’re not in order to trick someone one way or another. While using these sites there is no way of knowing if the information on each socializing page is real.
However on most of these social networking sites you are able to set your profile to private. By doing this only the people that are on your friends list are able to access your profile viewing your details and personal information. This setting allows the page holder to either except or decline other users who have requested to be their friend. The private setting helps the user of the site to keep personal information concealed and stop others who don’t have the user’s permission from seeing it.
Cyber bullying is another huge danger of social networking sites and this affects many teen agers of New Zealand. Forty percent of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year and although most of these incidents are said to have occurred in chat rooms, sites such as Facebook and MySpace are growing fast, and so are the cyber bullying incidents originating from them. There are experts who believe that these sites will soon overtake chat rooms as the top source of cyber bullying problems worldwide. Some of the most common cyber bullying occurs on these networking sites as others are able to steal an individual’s name and password then using their profile to post rumors, gossip or other damaging information. People are also able to alter photographs using PhotoShop or other photo editing software in order to humiliate the individual and using the web sites and blogs to post hurtful, embarrassing information about other people. There have been cases where cyber bullying had occurred and lives were ended in result of suicide.
However these sites are safe to a certain degree and usually depend on the user and how sensibly they use the internet. If the user chooses not to reveal personal information about themselves and they know how to use the internet safely they have a much higher chance of remaining safe. Many people use the sites for keeping in touch with friends, finding out the latest news with old friends and just away to waste time. If the users of these socializing sites are aware of the dangers which happen online the chances are they are more likely to avoid the harms that the internet does brings and prevent them from happening by knowing what to look out for.
There are many dangers that New Zealand teenagers are vulnerable to when using social networks and although there are ways of preventing these dangers by putting your profile on private or using the internet safely I believe New Zealand teenagers are still capable or being hurt. Most teenagers choose to ignore using the internet safely but even if they were aware of what can happen I believe that there would still be many teenagers still being hurt or harmed in one way or another.
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