Assessment Objectives...

AO2: Wider Contexts (SHEP)I will read a wider range of newspapers and look on the media guardian website more often.

AO3.1: Issues, Debates, Theories Research more into my theorists and theories such as Stanley Cohen's Moral panic, which would also benefit myself as I would using a wide variety of research methods.

AO5: Research Techniques As well as researching via the Internet I will also start researching through books and newspapers (both tabloid and broadsheet)

AO1: Key Concepts Although we study it last year, I will keep practicing in my independent study as I am quite weak in this concept.

AO3.2: Comparing and Accounting Similarities and Differences & Why. I could set myself the target of comparing two texts to help build my skills up for this assessment objective and gain a better understanding of it.

Adulthood Film Clip...

MIGRAIN Analysis of Film Clip...

The hand held camera within the clip creates a shaky effect shot to make it authentic. This allows the film to engage with the audience to make them feel as if they were there. The light shining on Sam's brother shows that there is still hope for him to escape from the violent cycle that he has chosen to be in. However, when he passes the gun to Sam it foreshadows something bad is going to occur to Sam. This also links to the fact that him passing Sam the gun connotes that violent cycle continues and won't end as the violence will keep repeating itself.
Within this clip we see that Sam fears for his brother's safety as he clearly shows with his body language that he is scared that his brother would repeat the same mistakes that he made and end up like him.
However, in this clip Sam's brother shows and states that he isn't "stupid" to repeat his same mistakes. The props that are used within this clip such as guns, portrays that the stereotypes of male teenagers is being reinforced as the show that they are violently orientated.
The generic conventions to show the film is of a Drama genre is the tension between Sam and his brother, as Sam doesn't want his brother to repeat his same mistakes and wants him to do the best of bad situations but his brother wants to show him that he is better than him and won't repeat his mistakes. Also that Sam won't his brother to get out of the violent cycle but his brother just wants to pull himself back into it as he wants to go with Sam.
Representations of males within this clip are being reinforced as well as being challenged in some ways. These representations are being reinforced by the use of props such as guns as it shows that teenage males are violently orientated. However, Sam tries to challenge these views by his acting as he tries to show and tell his brother to make the best out of bad situations. Although, the representation of teenage males are being reinforced as it shows that by Sam's brother handing him the gun, the violent cycle will continue, but as he gives Sam the gun he is pursuing to get out the violent cycle that he is getting pulled into. By doing so, this shows the audience that the mediated representations are in fact true and help back the media views and stereotypes given to male teenagers, which then links to Stanley Cohen's Moral Panic theory which shows that these exaggerated teenage male views are in fact true. The audience of this film will be in the age range of 15-20 years of age. This is because it's issues and characters can be related to them and would attract them as they could use this film text for their own personal identity to relate to the characters and the issues and problems they deal within the film. Within this clip, it creates an enigma as what will Sam do when he gets to this place, why he won't let his brother come with him and what is so special about that place that makes him really want to go there and are the answers to his questions going to be there and would it really help him along his search.

Movie Reviews...

Channel 4 Review of Adulthood:
Noel Clarke stars in, writes and directs the sequel to 2006's Kidulthood. Clarke himself returns as Sam, fresh out of jail after serving six years for murder and now trying to stay out of trouble
When Kidulthood was released in 2006, it caused a minor stir for its dark depiction of teenagers in contemporary Britain. Beginning with the suicide of a girl bullied at school, it showed a society where violence, drug-taking and casual sex were rife amongst the young. As the title suggests, Adulthood has grown up a little bit. The violence, drug-taking and casual sex are still rife - but now the film comes with a conscience.It also comes with a new director, as Clarke - who starred and wrote the original, and does so again here - takes over from Menhaj Huda. At the end of Kidulthood, Clarke's character Sam Peel was being carted off after murdering local rival Trife. In Adulthood Sam graduates from being just one of an ensemble cast, to becoming the key figure. Fresh out of jail, after a six-year stint for his crime, Sam just wants to keep his head down - but those aware of his release have other ideas. Like Kidulthood, the action is set across one eventful day. Sam is now seeking to make amends for his actions. After visiting the grave of the boy he killed, he meets his old girlfriend Claire (Fairley), only to find out she's now seeing another guy (Dyer). He hooks up with Lexi (Johnson), cousin to Becky, who has gone AWOL since the events of the first film. Meanwhile Jay (Deacon) is desperate to avenge the death of his friend, Trife, while Moony (Oyeniran) just wants to get on with his life as a student and forget the events of the past.
http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=167026

Times Review By Ed Potton:
The energetic but strident Adulthood picks up the story of its 2006 predecessor, Kidulthood, six years on, during which time its posse of West London larrikins have graduated from happy-slapping, shoplifting teenagers to drug-dealing, car-jacking twenty somethings.
Except for Sam (Noel Clarke), who was last seen bashing an adversary’s brains out with a baseball bat and has just come to the end of the resulting hellish prison stretch. With friends of the dead boy circling for blood, will he keep his head down or be sucked back into a spiral of villainy?
Clarke is very much the fulcrum of the piece, writing the screenplay, as he did for the first film, and directing. He should stick to the acting — as anyone who saw his turn in Doctor Who will know, he has a compelling stillness and a face capable of suggesting both menace and vulnerability, sometimes simultaneously.
The script and direction are more problematic. The main players spit fiery dialogue that flaunts its street cred. But when Clarke moves away from his testosterone-fuelled comfort zone he often misfires — the female, older and middle-class characters are often painfully flimsy. The constant blitzkrieg of threats, recriminations and beatings also becomes wearing, with moments of reflection very thin on the ground. Life may well be this grim for some young Londoners, but such unrelenting aggro soon becomes meaningless.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article4165968.ece

Guardian Review By Philip French:
Menhaj Huda's 2006 film Kidulthood ended with the arrest of the troubled black Londoner Sam Peel for murder. An ambitious attempt to present all the pressures on black teenagers in a single film, it was a scattergun affair and only adequately performed. The sequel, Adulthood, is set six years later. Better acted, it focuses exclusively on the day of Sam's release from jail, and is written and directed by Noel Clarke, who plays Sam in both films. It's a hard-driving thriller, violent and foul-mouthed, about the stupidity of respect and the hollowness of vengeance. Except for one particularly phoney scene (a black dope dealer humiliating a middle-class white customer), it presents a pretty authentic account of life on the streets and in jail for young blacks. The excellent photography is by Brian Tufano.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/22/film.drama

MY PRESENTATION

WWW:
Detailed information and MIGRAIN analysis of characters
Applied Theorist to text
Researched topic well
Researched Moral Panic theory and summarised power point.

EBI:
Invovled the audience
Less Detail
Asked Questions to Audience

TARGETS:
Change title of Independent Study
Research more about teenagers within the media using other texts such as newspaper and books
Research Reviews of the film

Research on Trailers:

I decided to post up both the Adulthood and Kidulthood trailer on my blog simply to compare them both from the representations given to teenagers then and how they are presented now. This is to show and see if the representations in Kidulthood are being reinforced in Adulthood or whether they are being challenged. This is to also show whether the media are still portraying teenagers in a bad way or whether they have changed their views on them.

Adulthood trailer

Kidulthood Trailer

Media Genres in Adulthood:

The film Adulthood is an art house film but belongs to the genre of Drama. The conventions to show it is a drama are that it shows the different and various drama's and struggles these characters go through on a day to day basis, and struggles they go through. For instance, edited shots and close ups of characters facial expressions when explaining past bad experiences such as Lexi's bad past and traumatic experience with men.
The audiences generic expectations are fulfilled as the directors, writers and characters enforce and show the audience of the genre by acting and scripts within the film enforcing the dramatic struggle and going on's within the film. For example, Sam's search for those who seek him and his family. This shows the struggles Sam goes through in the Film Adulthood. Another convention that initiates the dramatic genre is the soundtrack and music played throughout the film.

Media Audiences in Adulthood:

The uses and gratifications are both primarily and mainly Personal identity and surveillance purposes. Personal Identity as some people from the audience may identify and sympathise with some characters and the struggles they go through due to the fact of the situation they may be in and deal with on a daily basis. Personal Identity as some from the audience may be influenced by these day to day struggles in life and crime.
Surveillance purposes for parents who want to know what goes on in a teenagers life and struggles they may come across and go through. Also gain an understanding of the language being used by teenagers nowadays. Surveillance purposes for teenagers within the age range to have an understanding of these stereotypes, views and representations they are given and whether they are being exaggerated by the British Media.
The audience may be attracted to watch this film due to the characters / actors starring in the film. They may also be interested to watch the sequel to Kidulthood, as they would have enjoyed the first part a great amount. The audience would of been interested in viewing this film because of the director, as they would enjoy their past productions of work.
This films audience would be of both genders, male and female, within their teenage years aged between 15-19. This simply due to the issues that they could relate and identify themselves with some characters and the issues they face and go through. This is why it is more appealing to their generation more than others.

Media Values and Ideology's:

The music creates a dual narrative when the music tone within the scene of Sam and Lexi getting intense and strong in a sexual way but as Lexi pulls away from it the music turns dramatic. As the background music turns dramatic, Lexi begins to explain to Sam about her bad experience in the past, which links to the dramatic genre. This shows the range of dramas within the film and each character.

Media Language and Forms In Adulthood:

The use of smart clothing for characters such as Moony, connotes the use of props/ costumes to help challenge the stereotypical representations and views of teenage males as dressing down wearing hoodies, baggy bottoms (jeans and tracksuits) and scruffy trainers. Although, the use of skimpy clothing for female teenagers such as Lexi connotes the use of props/ costumes to reinforce the stereotypical views of teenage females as being presented and seen as sexual objects of desire, which links to Laura Mulvey's theory of the male gaze. Costume props are very crucial in representing the character such as Lexi wearing skimpy clothing like shorts and tops which connote promiscuity and Moony's smart coat, trousers and hat connote the intelligence of the character which helps challenge the teenage male views and representations.

Actions such as Sam grabbing hold of Claire in an abusive way to get information out of her. This then helps to reinforce and fits in with the stereotypical view of teenage males being violent and aggressive.

Other Relevant Texts:

I shall and will be looking at a range of relevant texts that are related to my main media film text. Relevant texts such as Bullet Boy, Kidulthood, West 10 London and even Skins distributed on Channel 4 and E4. This is simply because each relevant media text relates and links to the genre and representations within my main media text, as well as having similar views and representations of teenagers throughout and within them.


Skins is a good media text to relate and link to as all the characters within the programme are reinforcing the stereotypical views of teenagers as being drug orientated, sexually active and constantly partying.
As I am looking at the representations of teenagers within the British media, I will be using not only other films but also documentaries and soaps that relates to this subject. I will be looking at Soaps such as Skins, docu soaps/ drama programmes such as West London 10 which also includes Adulthood and Kidulthood actor Noel Clarke and films such as Bullet Boy and Kidulthood. This is due to the fact that I am focusing on the way teenagers are represented within the British media which includes all types of media such as movies, documentaries, soaps and day to day television.

Media Narratives in Adulthood:

Todorov's Theory in Adulthood:
Todorov's theory of the Equilibrium can be in ways related to Adulthood:

Equilibrium:
Sam gets out of prison after 6 years being locked up for Trevor's murder
Disruption:
Sam gets confronted and attacked by a man who ends up stabbing him and then tells him someone is coming for him and his family.
Realisation of Disruption:
Sam begins to reminisce of all of those people he knew before he was sent to prison.
Attempt to Repair:
Sam starts his search of those he knew before he went inside to gain and get information of who it is that is seeking him and his family, he starts with Claire.
New Equilibrium:
Sam just about gives up his search until those people seeking him and his family find him.

Mulvey's Male Gaze Theory:
This theory is and can be related to Adulthood as some teenage females reinforce the stereotypical views of themselves being promiscuous, sexual objects of desire and sex objects for the gaze of the male audience. This is due and connoted by their actions throughout the film and skimpy clothing being worn by the female actors such as Lexi.

Theories/Theorists:

There are a variety of theories that I will be referring to and using that would be relevant to and for my film text (Adulthood). Theories I have studyed are Propp's theory, Todorov's Equilibrium and Levi Strauss's binary Oppositions. My reasons for choosing these theories and theorists are because they are the most Suitable theories that can relate and are situated with my chosen Media Text (Adulthood).

Representations Continued...

Most representations of teenagers may be fair and accurate as you stil see Lexi and Jay reinforcing these stereotypes from the 2006 hit film Kidulthood. Although, on the other hand you see characters such as Moony and Claire challenging these representations by changing their lifes around and pursuing what their aims in life are.

Lexi:

However, newcomer Lexi reinforces the stereotypical view of teenage females as she is seen and established as a drug addict, selling herself for drugs as we see her informing Jay of Sam's were abouts, sexually active and seen as a sexual object of desire for the male audiences gaze. This shows and portrays that the representation of female teenagers, stereotypical views are still being reinforced and repeated within the media. This also shows that the film Adulthood follows their lives 6 years on, with some becoming more wise and changed their lifestyles for the better and others still leading the same lifestyle and still following the life of crime, drugs and sexual activities they got themselves into before in Kidulthood.

Claire:
As well as looking at and focusing on teenage male representations and stereotypes, I will be focusing on teenage female stereotypes and views. Claire's character has also improved and developed from her Kidulthood days by challenging the stereotypical view of teenage females. Claire was presented in Kidulthood as being sexually active with abusive partner Sam, and at times with Jay. We also saw Claire as being a party girl, binge drinking and not maintaining a stable relationship as we saw her going from Jay to Sam and Sam to Jay. She was presented as promiscuous and also seen as a sex object.
Although, in Adulthood Claire challenges the teenage female stereotypical view by also changing her lifestyle around. Claire's character does this by keeping hold and keeping a steady relationship with new boyfriend Hayden played by Danny Dyer and doing something with her life and pursuing what she wants in life.

Jay:

Although, as Moony challenges the representations and stereotypes of teenage males, Jay reinforces the stereotype. Jay was presented as being sexually minded and active more than has friends, violent, aggressive and powerful in the film Kidulthood. Jay's character seems to of gotten worse than before. Jay reinforces the teenage male view by turning to the life of crime by becoming a drug dealer, not pursuing or making something of himself and being able to keep a steady relationship.

However, this is due to him not dealing well with the death of Trevor (Trife).

Media Representations in Adulthood:

Introduction:

Adulthood has a range of representations and views of both male and female teenagers that were previously seen in the 2006 Kidulthood. However, in Adulthood most of these stereotypes are challenged as well as being reinforced.



Moony:

Moony's character has improved and developed a long way in the past 6 years within the film, both physically and in mentality. Moony challenges the male teenage stereotype given to them by the media. We saw him reinforcing the stereotype in Kidulthood by being aggressive, sexually minded and active and violent. For example, picking a fight with two guys in the street. However, Moony challenges the teenage male stereotype by changing his lifestyle by furthering his education by going to university and studying Law. Also by maintaining a stable relationship with a female character in the film. This shows that the directors want to challenge the representation of teenage males by showing they are capable to do the best they can and change their lifestyles.

Synopsis...

Synopsis:
Adulthood is a British film directed, written and starring Noel Clarke, it is the sequel to the 2006 hit film Kidulthood, which Noel Clarke also directed, wrote and starred in.
After being convicted for Trife's murder, Sam is finally released after serving 6 years in prison. Whilst visiting Trife's grave, Sam is confronted and attacked by a man who attempts to stab him, although he was able to overpower him, he still received a deep stab wound to the shoulder. During the attack, the stranger tells Sam someone is coming for him and his family. After acknowledging this, Sam starts to reminisce about all the people he knew before he went inside. He starts his search with his ex girlfriend, who he abused in the past, Claire only to find she has a new boyfriend who knows about her abusive past relationship with Sam and isn't happy about it.
Although, he didn't get enough time to get any information out of her, she does tell him that Moony goes to Central University. The film quickly turns to Jay. After Trife's murder, Jay doesn't take it too well and six years down the line, he turns to the wrong direction and has now turned to the life of crime and is now dealing drugs and having continuous violent outbursts. Sam then goes to visit Moony only not to his surprise, he isn't very pleased to see him at all. Moony tells Sam he doesn't know who is after him and his family but hopes he finally gets what he deserves. During his search, Sam befriends Lexi who is a local drug addict that Sam grows closer to as she helps him along the way of his search.
Towards the end, Sam feels he can't find those who are coming for him and his family, until those seeking him finally find him....

Independent Study Proposal:

Question:
Have the representations of teenagers in the British Media changed for the better or have they become worse? With particular reference to the film, ADULTHOOD.

Hypothesis:
Teenagers are increasingly each year being represented in an unconstructive and negative manner within the British Media.

Brief Summary:
Representations of teenagers within the British Media have progressed and developed over the years, as each year the British Media representations of teenagers have become increasingly enhanced in a negative manner each year. In fact you could say that the British Media portray and represent teenagers in the most unconstructive and degrading way, than any media across the globe. As Adulthood is the most updated media text (British Film) on how teenagers are presented and portrayed, I will be specifically focusing on whether these views of them are becoming increasingly worse or changing in a more positive manner.