Crash

media representations

The film itself contains several different stories which interweave during two days in Los Angeles. Various characters are represented who differ in race, for example the Afro-Caribbean police officer, the White middle classed district attorney and the Hispanic locksmith etc. 

Each character is being represented through a number of stereotypical views which is associated with their ethnicity. E.g. The Hispanic male, who is accused of being a gang member, because of the various amounts of tattoos on his body. 

The two young black males, are identified as thieving thugs through their physical appearance. This seems to frustrate one of them, who does not seem to understand why all people stereotype young black males. The twist occurs when the duo decide to rob a white middle-classed couple. Even though the youths have recognized that they are being stereotyped, they reinforce this, as they feel that nothing can change other peoples view towards them.  

Many different races are represented in the film, the typical stereotypes are reinforced through characters clothes, the manor they speak in etc. However, some of the characters actions does not reinforce the stereotype but challenges it. This makes the audience re-think their perception and attitude towards certain ethnicities and not to judge someone by their physical appearance.

The representation of characters is not fair and accurate as the characters are judged purely on the basis of their appearance which tends to group people and creates more segregation. For example black and hispanic males as being criminals. However, some representations could be fair, such as the racist police officer who treats ethnic people differently. 

Media languages and forms

What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?

The denotative levels of meaning suggest that racism still exists even though it may not be direct. For example when the Asian male is buying a gun, he receives hatred and is accused of being a member of the Taliban, just because of his colour and the manor he speaks in.

Furthermore, another denotation is that people often follow stereotypes and judge people upon these, which may mislead individuals and create more segregation.

On the other hand, the connotative level of meaning is that there is institutional racism. For example, the white male police officer, who treats ethnic people differently to others.

What is the significance of the text’s connotations?

The word “Crash” connotes a collision; this could suggest the clash between races, as well as the car crash in the movie.

When man and daughter buying a gun, they are asked which bullets they want, the daughter chooses the red box, however the audience does not get to see which ones they chose, the shopkeeper shocked who then asks her is she sure about her choice. Later we relies she brought bullets that were blank. The audience is led or forced to believe they are buying a gun to harm or hurt someone, however this was not the case. A gun connotes death or pain, however this is challenged, within the film.

Characters are influenced by moral panic, a guy with tattoos is a gang member or ex convict and any one seen wearing baggy clothes is a hoodlum.

What are the non-verbal structures of meaning in the text (e.g. gesture, facial expression, positional communication, clothing, props etc)?

Some black males are seen to be wearing baggy clothes; straight away people consider them as thugs, as most thieves and young males wear these types of clothing.

The close up shot helps catch emotion on the characters face; this is needed when an emotional and touching scene is taking place and the audience needs to see the actor’s expression. From this we can gather how the character is feeling and whether the scene is bright and happy or dull and sad etc. 

What is the significance of mise-en-scene/sets/settings?

The fact that the film is shot and based around LA, the audiences gets to see the run down dilapidated part of Los Angeles, as well as the rich, built up area. As a result, the audience can use this as a form of identification, as places around them maybe alike. This may led to more people becoming engaged, as they want to see how characters deal with similar situations to themselves, for example thieves and criminals. 

Because two sides are shown, rich and run down, the film can attract a wider audience of different class, race and age.

What work is being done by the sound track/commentary/language of the text?

Music helps accompany a scene that is quite dramatic and emotional, as the pace of the music is slow and calm, this helps create an atmosphere that matches the scene. As a result, the scene becomes more striking and effective which helps engage an audience.

Narrative

How is the narrative organised and structured

The structure is very similar to most feature films, however the audience gets to see each characters story as the films progresses. Only at the end, we establish how each of these stories intertwines with one another. Because of this, many narrative enigmas are created such as “why are all these stories being told and shown” and also “ what is significant about all these stories”. As a result, the audience is forced to watch on and find out the answer to these several questions.

How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?

The audience is left to watch the movie and only interfere or come into contact when decisions have to be made, as to which characters are heroes or villains. So it is fair to say that the audience is both active and passive. We can say the audience is passive, as they do not really have a key role until the very end of the movie. Alternatively, the audience can be referred as active because at one stage they have to judge and identify in their own opinion which characters are good and evil.

How are characters delineated?

There are strong distinctions between each of the 7 main characters, even though some may appear the same in race. Personal background, social class and age seems to create this difference which alters how each of these characters think and feel.

Each character encounters some sort of racism, as certain characters are prejudiced towards ethnic people, while others receive hatred through no fault of their own. A prime example is when the Hispanic male, receives hatred as he fixes the lock, but the white customer he is repairing it for believes he will sale a copy of the key to one of his gang members.

The audience is left feeling sympathetic towards a few characters; on the other hand the audience feels abhorrence towards certain characters due to their approach and beliefs towards ethnic minorities.

Characters are defined through the sort of racism they receive or give towards cultural individuals.

How are heroes and villains created?

The film constantly aims to change the audience’s perception, which is done by the characterization of heroes and villains. An example of this can be see in the character of the white police officer, who at the start of the movie comes across as a villain because of his racial hatred towards black people. However, ends up putting his life in danger to save a black woman. Further more, the other white officer is shown to be a hero at the start of the film, as he does not agree with the racial discrimination against black individuals. Nevertheless, towards the end of the movie, the officer shots a black male and then leaves him for dead.

What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?

There is a form of identification in the film, as the audience can relate to racism whether it is direct or indirect. Also the fact that the film is shot in LA, the audience gets to see a built up rich area, as well as run down “ghetto” part. As a result, the audience may be able to identify with this, as surrounding areas maybe similar.

What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc within the narrative?

The fact that the young, black males listen to hip-hop, helps create a image, as this follows the stereotype that young males are influenced by rap music, which in turn makes them go out and act against the law.

The way a certain scene in the film is edited, helps create a similarity between two very different characters. To challenge the stereotype that all young males who listen to hip-hop are criminals, we see and think the Hispanic male is listening to this type of music, however later wee find out that the music was coming from the young black males vehicle. This is interesting, as the audience naturally assumes the Hispanic male is listening to rap music, because of his appearance and manor he speaks in.

What are the major themes of the narrative?

The most obvious major theme of the film is racism, we now this as each character encounters and comes across some sort of discrimination. Another key theme is stereotypes, as some are reinforced, for example the racist white police officer or the young black thieves.

On the other hand, some stereotypes are challenged such as the Hispanic male who comes across as a gang member or ex-convict, but turns out to be an emotional, caring father.

Genre

To which genre does the text belong?

The film Crash belongs to a hybrid genre, this is because it contains elements of a drama film as well as an action. For example at times the audience is left feeling sympathetic towards characters. On the other hand, other scenes create a more suspenseful atmosphere, done to keep the audience on the edge. 

To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text? Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?

The films name “Crash” connotes that there will be some action; therefore the generic expectations are fulfilled. Also the audience can expect some emotional scenes, as when a crash could be associated with someone getting hurt or injured, therefore again the expectations are fulfilled. However, the audience was not expecting the issues raised within the film, such as racism therefore in this sense we can say the expectations could be cheated.

Does the text feature a star, a director, a writer etc who is strongly associated with the genre? What meanings and associations do they have? 

The fact that the film stars Sandra Bullock, the audience can already identify the film is one of a high quality. The actress is well known for her emotional acting, this associates with the drama side of the hybrid genre. Because of this, the film could attract a wider audience, who are strong fans of the actress.

Media Institutions

What is the institutional source of the text?

The texts institutional source is Lions Gate Entertainment and Bob Yari Productions. Lions Gate Entertainment has been around since the 1990’s and is still up and running as a successful institution within the film industry, with many new films ready to hit cinemas in 2010.

In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?

As the film is produced and distributed by a successful institution, expectations are high; therefore the company has to produce worthy films that will keep brand loyalty amongst its audience. The fact that the organization has produced many other films and has a substantial amount of experience within the industry, the right technique or form of promotion can be carried out. As a result, valuable time and money will be saved, as the right area of promotion is targeted. 

Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?

The source is a commercial institution, which is the most successful independent film and television Distribution Company in North America. This means the general motive and purpose of creating a film is make profit and revenue. Also, there are no restrictions as to the kind of content in the film, however if the intuition was a public server then the purpose is to entertain, educate and inform.

 

Media Audiences

To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience?

The films target audience is males and female aged 15 and above. Any age group over 15 is targeted, as the film features various characters of different race and age. As a result, the film appeals to a very wide audience, therefore the chance of the movie being successful is very high.

What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?

The assumption that the audience can identify stereotypes is present, this is because the film is based around stereotypes and reinforces, as well as challenges these. Also, the audience can be active, by making their own decisions about certain ethnic groups and not to judge someone purely on the basis of their appearance.

How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc?

The text is aimed to inform and educate people not to judge someone on their appearance or social background. Because of my age, gender and background my reading or evaluation is different to someone else’s. This is because the stereotypes featured in the movie are not always reflective of the real world. For example, not all young black males are thieves and not all Asians have difficulties with communication and speaking English. Because of my age, I can identify with stereotypes towards teenagers, however being an active member of the audience; I can make my own assumptions without basing them on typical stereotypes.   

Fact File on Crash 

Release date: 12 August 2005

Tag Line: You think you know who you are.  You have no idea.

Awards: Won 3 Oscars, Another 42 wins and 66 nominations

Director: Paul Haggis

Production Company: Bob Yari Productions

Distribution Company: Lions Gate Films

Filming Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/