Film and Tv Worksheet

Film and Television Worksheet SOC/105 September 10, 2012
University of Phoenix Material

Film and Television Worksheet

Name of the film or television show you viewed: The Closer |

Respond to each question with a paragraph of at least 50 words. State your point of view and explain it thoroughly. What is the primary emphasis of the film or show? Examples: artistic expression, technological achievement, informative. Explain your answer. The primary emphasis of the show is to solve crimes committed in Los Angeles by a woman Deputy Chief of Police, of the Major Crimes Division, Brenda Johnson. The show uses the investigative and interrogation skills of Brenda to solve crimes. Brenda dresses in civilian clothes and wears heels which do not stop her from going anywhere on a crime scene. The show empathizes a woman can do want men do and still be a lady. | What cultural values is the film or show attempting to promote? Do you agree or disagree with those values? Explain your answer. “The Closer” has investigators representing many ethnic backgrounds and ages. The show attempts to promote the value of each individual despite age or ethnic background, people can work together. On the show it uses the character of different backgrounds to help solve crimes for example the Hispanic detective is used to help communicate with Spanish speaking people and explain different gangs. I agree it is a good example of how people with different backgrounds can work together to achieve goals. | What is the surface-level subject matter of the film? Describe the plot.This episode was to solve the apparent murder of a 12 year old Hispanic boy found in an abandon house that is used by a gang as a party house. The boy’s brother was the gang’s leader; however, he is in prison and his father use to be a member when he was younger. According to Maceo (1995) “The root causes of violent street gang formation (i.e. poverty, lack of education, unemployment, underemployment, stressed families, racism, and the breakdown of sociocultural institutions) must be addressed by the community and a concerted effort must be made to control firearms” (p. 1). Gangs are a problem around the world; however, this episode concentrates on the gangs of Los Angeles. | What trends in this film or show are also commonly found in other films or shows? The trend in this show was stereotyping Hispanics in gangs and the violence they usually bring to an area. Through the investigation they discovered a girl had been kidnapped, taken to the party house and raped by three gang members; this theme is used in other shows and films. The rape victim is a hospital having a rape examine which is a scenario used in many shows where a rape has occurred. | What is the subtext or underlying theme of the film? What issues or values are explored in the film or show? ‘The Closer’ underlying theme is the fine line between good and evil; and right and wrong. The show is always pushing the envelope on ethical behavior of a police officer which causes some tension at times between the different people on the show. Religious beliefs are brought into the show at times due to the deaths that are portrayed. The show also explores dysfunctional families do to the crimes that are investigated. The show also shows governmental responsibility and how the line is pushed at times to get a confession or solve a crime. | What cultural stereotypes or archetypes are present in the narrative? What is the purpose behind the stereotype or archetypal character? “It certainly wasn 't intentional for me to have a groundbreaking show. It just happened to be. The idea that I can have anything to do with the possibility of more opportunities opening up for women is wonderful. At the time, I didn 't think big-picture that much. I went where my gut tells me, where the character seems interesting and where the writing seems good. You take it a day at a time. That was what we did. Then it became a phenomenon, but you never know that going in" (Sieczkowski, 2012, p. 1 ). ‘The Closer’ opened up more possibilities of what women can do in the workplace. Brenda’s character showed a woman can retain her femininity, keep her composure in difficult circumstances, be a leader and build a team of mainly men of many ethnic backgrounds. | What is the source of conflict in the narrative of the film or show? How is the conflict resolved in the film or show? The conflict of the show comes from the death of a 12 year old boy and the rape of a girl by three gang members. The conflict is resolved when the father of the boy kills the three gang members because he had told them not to get his young son involved in the gang. The girl is taken to the hospital, a rape kit is taken and when recovering is told all the men involved in her rape are dead. | In what way is sound or music used to tell the story or to manipulate the viewer response? The music plays a small part in ‘The Closer.’ There is soft music played when investigating the crime scene due to the nature of the young victim and when interviewing the rape victum. When entering the 12 year old boy’s Dad’s house there is stronger music played invoking an on the edge feeling due to the fact the father is not corruptive and has a mean dog. The same edgy music is played when they investigate the scene where two of the gang members are found dead. | What ethical issues or moral dilemmas are explored in the film? Describe your reaction to issues. Do you agree or disagree with how the issues were portrayed? Why or why not? According to Petracca and Sorapure (2007) “Morality, the definitions of virtue, justice, and injustice, the sanctity of the individual, have been fairly fluid for American audiences in terms of what they choose to embrace or not embrace” (p. 524). The issue in this show was centered on an abduction and rape of a young woman. Rape is a terrible crime against women. The show portrayed the victim in a soft way and handled her with care compared to the usual criminal. This episode handled the issue of rape in a caring and compassionate way. | What types of editing techniques or technical effects are used to tell the story? Examples: close ups, flashbacks, or computer generated imagery, or special effects. The technical effect used included makeup and close ups on the victim of the rape. The gunshot wounds of the four people killed showed the wounds and blood trails. When interviewing the woman who was raped there were flashbacks of the act and the taking of the rape kit. When the father talked about killing the three gang members he said the girl was nothing and there were flashbacks of her bruised body. The effects helped complete the story. | Does viewing films or shows like this affect how you form your individual identity? Why or why not? Viewing shows like this does affect me as far as how living in a big city when a crime is committed only a few really care about solving the case. I enjoy ‘The Closer’ as there usually is a mystery to be solved and Brenda uses her talent as an investigator and interrogator to make people crack and confess to crimes or their involvement. It is nice to see a woman in a strong role where she is respected for the job she does for the most part. Brenda has formed a strong team which includes many ethnic backgrounds and age groups. This show helps show everyone can get along and work as a team no matter age differences or ethnical backgrounds. |

References

Maceo, B. (1995, October 5). Rise in Gang Violence. USC News. Retrieved from http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/1376.html

Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about
American popular culture (5th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Sieczkowski, C. (2012, August 13). Kyra SedgwickSays Goodbye to 'The Closer. '.
Huffpost TV. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/13/kyra-sedgwick-the-closer-mary-mcdonnell_n_1772578.html

References: Maceo, B. (1995, October 5). Rise in Gang Violence. USC News. Retrieved from http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/1376.html Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture (5th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Sieczkowski, C. (2012, August 13). Kyra SedgwickSays Goodbye to 'The Closer. '. Huffpost TV. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/13/kyra-sedgwick-the-closer-mary-mcdonnell_n_1772578.html