Channel 4 News Case Study

Basic details

When is Channel 4 News on?

Channel 4 News is broadcasted on Monday-Friday at 7pm and it lasts for 55 minutes.

When was the programme first broadcast?

The Channel 4 News was first broadcasted in 1982.

What awards has the programme won?

The awards that the programme has won international Emmy Award for News,British Academy Television Award for Best News Coverage,British Academy Television Award for Best News and Current Affairs Journalism.

What is the media institution that produces Channel 4 News?

The media institution that produces Channel 4 is ITN

Presenters

Who are the presenters?

The presenters that present in Channel 4 News are Jon Snow,Cathy Newman,Matt Frei and Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience?

The presenters usually wear suits even if they are female this is to show that they are professional about their job and they do that so they can show that their target audience is treated professionally. Also Jon Snow usually wears his colourful ties which he is known for by his audience,

Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters?

TV News programmes use a variety of different presenters because each presenter has different skills and they all have different roles like presenting the weather or sport. Also they want the audience to experience news in different aspects.

How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV News programme?

Jon Snow is the main news presenter for Channel 4 News whereas Cathy Newman and Krishnan Guru-Murthy are the secondary presenter. Matt Frei is a correspondent that goes out to different locations to find out further information and detail about the news stories. 

Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?

There isn't a balance between the female and male presenters because the is more male presenters than female.This could effect the aspects have on the audience is that the male presenters could attract more male audience as the is only one female presenters. Some of the audience could also take that as being sexist as the is only one audience.

Opening sequence

Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.

What is the very first shot?
The first shot that is shown is of  the Channels 4 News logo and a soft pan when it exits the screen.

How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience?

How is music used in the opening sequence?
The music is used in he opening sequence just after Jon Snow give a brief detail about the top stories and also the music is there to give the audience a little bit of suspense. Also Channel 4 News uses music so that the audience can recognise the TV News programme when it starts on the TV.

How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later?
The audience is usually told about 6 news stories and they are also told the time and when it will be showed and talked about during the programme, this makes the audience watch on so that they can find out information about the story that they are most interested.

Studio mise-en-scene

What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? (Desk, cameras etc.)

The aspects that can be seen y the audience during the TV News programme would be the desk where a laptop and a mouse are seen and also would be the studio at the beginning of the show which shows people working.

Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?
Most of the time the presenter are standing up, this shows how professional they are and also the stories that they tell are important and serious. They also usually stand because the is graphics used and images shown while they talk about the top stories. This also helps the audience understand what they are saying when they show it while standing up rather than sitting down.

Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?

How does the studio use colour?

The studio uses colour to show their identity. They use purple and white through out the whole show. This is to show that the studio belongs to Channel 4 News. They are also trying to show distinctive identity which is part of their remit.

How news stories are presented

How does the news programme typically present a story?

The news programme presents a story by slowly giving details. They use animated graphics to show statistics or other key details about a story

What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
Channel 4 News uses different techniques to present the news. Firstly, they use presenter to camera this is when Jon Snow presents the main headlines. They also use reporter on location when they go out and want to find out more information about the story and go into detail. They also use images while the main stories are told.

What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)
Channel 4 News usually covers Politics, International, Sport ,Technology as well as Business.

Give two real examples of how news stories presented to keep the interest of the audience.

Firstly, during the news story about Tesco and their loss, Channel 4 News used stats as well as an interview .As this was the main headline they used the interview but they didn't make it long and they skipped to it a couple of times so that the audience wouldn't get bored of it.
Secondly,during the story about Syria using chemical weapons, they used interviews and also the Syrian's view about whats happening on their side

Running order

Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.

What is the top story?
The top story was about 900 people drowning in the Mediterranean sea shames Europe to help save lives.

How long does the top story last for?
The top story lasts for around 14 minutes during the beginning of the programme.

What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’).

The other stories that are presented in this new programme:

•  900 Drowning in the Mediterranean
•  900 Drowning in the Mediterranean 
•  Election trail - SNP - 'English voters have nothing to fear from the SNP'
•  David Cameron's views as Prime Minister 
•  900 Drowning in the Mediterranean

How long is each story shown for?

The first story which is about the 900 people drowning in the Mediterranean sea last for around 14 minutes and the next story which is about election trail lasts for about 20 seconds and David Cameroon's views as a prime Minister lasts for bout 12 seconds

Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was?

The top story about 900 people drowning was the longest because it was such an important story and it was a big deal for most people. It is important because so  many people died and it also made UK join the search after there was a claim that they were abandoned to travel safely.

 The second story about the election only lasted a couple of seconds because they wanted to give a brief description and they would go into detail later on in the programme. This makes the audience watch more so that they find out more about it.Whereas BBC News goes into detail instantly which could bore some of the audience

The third story about David Cameron's views as the Prime Minister they did the same like with the Election one because they wanted tot ell the facts straight away and show it as one of the main stories because elections will be happening soon in the UK so it interest the audience the most.

Audience

What is the target audience for this TV News programme? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.

The type of audience that would watch Channel 4 News would be younger teenagers and adults. Channel 4 News is known for attracting more younger audience than any other news programme. The target audience would be both females and males.

Why might someone choose to watch this TV News programme over others?

Some people chose to watch Channel 4 News more than any other news programme would be because Channel 4 News goes into more detail about any news stories and the other News programme do not go into enough detail.

Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?

The is a way that the audience can comment on the stories by using social media and also by following the presenters so that they find out about the stories why they are online and also they can get involved by using hashtags that are shown during the News programme.

What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer?

The Channel 4 news uses 1 of the Uses and Gratifications theory-Blumler and Katz. Channel 4 offers Personal Identity and Surveillance. 

  Institution

Who owns, runs or produces this TV News programme?

The institution that runs and owns Channel 4 News is ITN and they also produce Channel 4 News.

Does the institution own, run or produce any other TV News programmes, channels or newspapers?

They also produce content for Channel 5,ITV,Youtube,Yahoo and Telegraph Media Group.

               How does the programme fit the TV channel it is on?
Channel 4 News is designed to fit the Channel 4 Remit.It uses colour scheme to fit Channel 4 as well as the controversial views which the main presenter Jon Snow pushes the boundaries of.

                              What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?

'OFCOM' is the TV regulator that makes sure that the content that is broadcasted on the TV is appropriate for the audience and they also make sure that if any channels do not follow the rules ,they are fine or they get their licence taken off them.Channel 4 News comes under section 5 of the guild line system. Those are the guild lines that Channel 4 News have to face:

• To ensure that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
• The prevention of undue prominence of views and opinions on matters of politics or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy.

TV News and New/Digital Media

Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?
Yes, Channel 4 News ahs their own website and here is the link to it.
http://www.channel4.com/news/
What does the website offer viewers?
Their website offers all the news as well as the one s that have been shown on the programme. It also offers weather and they can watch the last night news on demand if they missed it. It also shows special reports.

Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed?
Yes. Channel 4 News has a twitter account where you can follow and have information about the news. You can follow Channel 4 News  at @Channel4News.

How does the Twitter feed promote the programme?
The twitter feed promotes Channel 4 News by allowing people to comment about the news stories and by letting people comment their own stories and using the hashtag @Channel4News.

Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories?
The is a opportunity for the audience to comment their opinions about the news on social media as well as share their own stories. Also the main Channel 4 News website allows audience to comment their own stories and their comments about it.

Narrative Theory

Narrative Theory of Taken

The trailer for Taken uses many narrative techniques typical of Action Thriller movies. Applying Propp's character theory, we have a clear protagonist or hero in Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills. In many ways,he is shown to be the stronger character and it is his quest (to save his daughter) that drives the narrative.. These well known character types quickly help establish the action thriller narrative and allow audiences to understand the main relationships within the two-minute running time of the trailer.

The film's narrative is clearly introduced in the trailer and follows Todorov's theory of equilibrium. The state of balance is the character of Pat trying to get his life back together following his spell in a psychiatric institution. The introduction of Tiffany creates the disequilibrium - along with the request to compete in the dance competition. The new equilibrium is not shown in the trailer - this is critical because even though a standard Hollywood romantic comedy narrative would suggest the couple get together in the end, the audience have to watch the whole film to enjoy this resolution.

The trailer is full of Barthes' enigma and action codes. These are designed to draw the audience in and encourage them to watch the whole film to resolve their questions. The major enigma codes the audience will ask would revolve around whether he will find his daughter and whether he will save her in time. However, there are other enigma codes such as what has he done to albanian people for them to capture and kidnap his daughter .

Exam Revision

Exam research for PPE 1
Research 

The Tv News programmes that I have chosen to research are Channel 4 News and Sky News

Channel 4 News
The Title for the first TV News programme that I have chosen is Channel 4.The main presenters that present everyday at 19:00 is Jon Snow.The first bulletin is broadcasted on the 9 December.The main story is about  damning Senate investigation reveals that the CIA's response to the 9/11 attacks was torture that was far more brutal than the politicians ever knew, and also largely ineffective.The isn't a lot of animations during the News show.The is a little bit at the beginning when the title appears and also the main Channel 4 News Soudn comes on.The is also short videos of the main story. .The are websites links at the end of the news.The is also a different website link for the weather.The Channel 4 also includes twitter names ,so that the audience can follow them and find out updates about the news.I think that Channel 4 attracts their audience by putting the main story first and than making the audience wait to hear more about it.Also the the short and serious videos could persuade the audience to wait and see what happened and how could that effect the future.

The second bulletin is broadcasted on the 10 December at 19:00.The first main story that is covered is about the 'Weather bomb' in the North West Scotland and Northern England.The winds between Britain and Ireland have been up to 140 ph.The second story is about The CI biting back against  accusations that had turned rogue over torture.Also today in the news about half of the UK being on pills,from stains to antidepressants and also UK is becoming more like America in attitudes about abortions.However,the is some animation right at the beginning of the News,of the main title.Also the are short videos of the main story.The are websites links at the end of the news.The is also a different website link for the weather.The Channel 4 also includes twitter names ,so that the audience can follow them and find out updates about the news.I think that the things that could possibly attract audience is the video footage of the 'weather bomb' because they look serious ,this could drag their attention because they want to find out what will happen in the future.

The third bulletin is broadcasted on the 11 December at 19:00.The first main story that is cover is about the progress being made in fighting Ebola, a year after the first case in West Africa.The second story is about how to tackle the child abuse onile and also in todays news about the Ukip's latest embarrassments.However,the is some animation right at the beginning of the News,of the main title.Also the are short videos of the main story.The are websites links at the end of the news.The is also a different website link for the weather.The Channel 4 also includes twitter names ,so that the audience can follow them and find out updates about the news.I think that the things that could possibly attract audience is the video footage of the 'weather bomb' because they look serious ,this could drag their attention because they want to find out what will happen in the future.

Sky News
The first bulletin is broadcasted on the 9 December.The first story is about sky joining the police team hunting child abusers.The second story is an Interview: Matt Ogston's Partner Took His Own Life After Coming Out As Gay.The third story is about an Accident that happened on M25.A fatal lorry has crashed.


3) Research the institutions behind your two TV News programmes. Find out the following for each:

The Channel 4 News programme is owned by Channel Four Television Corporation.Channel 4 News makes money mostly through the sale of on-air advertising, programme sponsorship, and the sale of any programme content and merchandising rights it owns, such as overseas sales and video sales.The institution behind Sky News is Sky plc and sky news is distributed worldwide by Fox International Channels.The way that Sky News make money is by the sale of advertising.


I think that the target audience for Channel 4 News and BBC News would be older teenagers and adults aged from 18-35.


Planning

1) Brainstorm ideas for a new TV News programme aimed at young people. Plan out the following:

The title for my own TV programme is called Teen Wall.I have chosen this title because the word 'Wall' can link to Facebook and i think that if the teenagers how a news programme that is similar to Social Media they would watch it more.The Channel that my News would be broadcasted on would be Sky News and it would go from Monday to-Friday and it woudl also be broadcasted on Sunday.At the time of 18:00.I have chosen this time because most teenagers watch TV at this time of the day on the working days.The length of the New would be 30 minutes because i believe that it is not too short and not too long.Also i believe that it all the important news stories would be able to fit in the time of 30 mintues.The presenters that i have chosen for my News would be Chole Potter and Gemma Morris,because I believe that if the News presenters are young ,the teenagers would watch it more often.

The colour scheme that I have chosen for my News programme are red,blue and grey.I think that those colours go well together and would attract both genders of the teenage audience.The types of news that the programme will cover will be mostly to do with teenagers.However the wont be alot of news about politics because politics dont really involve teenagers and also teenagers are not interested in them.Also the will be some news about the social media that will be telling the teenagers if the are any porblems to do with them or if the are any updates.The News programme will also include videos that the teenagers can send the studio,that are to do with the current news story.Also the will be a Facebook page for the News programme,where the teenagers will be able to comment their opinions and than they will be discussed in the News.

Exam Research for PPE 2

The title that I have chosen for an TV News programme is Teen Wall.I have chosen this title because the the younger audience it could link to social media website called Facebook.This could attract the teenage audience as well as the older audience.The time that the TV News programme will be broadcasted is at 5:30.I have chosen this time because most of the audience will be back home from work or school at around that time.The days that this TV News programme will be broadcasted on is Wednesday and Sunday.

The length of the TV News programme would be around 30 minutes because the younger audience won't want to watch it if it is longer because the might find it boring.Firstly,the presenter will tell general News and than the weather will be presented and at the end of the News ,there will be sport.I will also have 15 minutes where the audience will be able to tweet their comment on twitter using the hashtag #teenwall and they will also be able to write posts on the Facebook page.

The presenters that I have chosen to present in the Teen Wall News are Chloe Potter and Gemma Morris.The types of News that the programme will cover is Sports News,Weather News,Educational News and the UK News.

The first example of News that I would include in my TV News programme is about the 3 British schoolgirls who are believed to be trying to join up with the Islamic State.The second example of News that I would include in my TV News programme is boys aged 13 and 14 killed in a crash.I would include both of those stories since it includes young people and this would also show that it could of have happened to everyone.The third example of News that I would include in my TV News programme would be about a Watford fan that is in a critical condition after being attacked by a gang in Wolverhampton.

The colour scheme for my news would be grey and green.The logo that I have chosen for my TV News programme would be a capital T next to a W in grey with a green outlineThe ways that I will package my news is by having a video to go with the news while the presenters are talking about it.The will also be an animated screen behind the presenter while they are talking.At the end of the News the will be links for people that want to visit the site and leave comments.Also well as hashtages for twitter and links to social media.The will be also an animated logo of the channel that the news will be broadcasted on right at the beginning on the programme

• How you will package the news - video, images, graphics, live links, interviews etc.
• How the opening 60 seconds of the programme will run.

3) Plan how you will use modern technology and e-media (social networks, websites, YouTube etc.) to promote your TV News programme. Also consider how you can use technology to make your programme interactive with opportunities for the audience to submit photos and video and comment on the issues covered.
 

Writing a Film Pitch

The Devil's Eye Necklace 

The Devil's Eye Necklace is a horror and thriller story about a 12 years old Zoe Anderson.The daughter of Zuzanne and James Anderson.They Anderson family moves to a new house,where Zoe find the mysterious box.

Zoe has a hard time finding new friends in the city that they have moved to.Once she find new friends,she is dared to go into the wood near her new house.When she find the box that changes her life.She becomes possessed.Every Night she kills one of her friends.Will her parents be able to save her and their family or will they die like the rest?

Film Poster and Trailer for Taken

Poster

Key Conventions

Central image-The central image is of one of the actors,that is one of the main characters.

Secondary images-There are no secondary images.This makes a main focus on the main image.

Title-The title is placed in the lower part of the poster instead of the top third.However the title really stands out of the whole poster so it drags attention to the poster.

Tagline (like a slogan)-The tagline are words that were spoken in the main film and they are spoken by Liam Neeson 

Stars-The stars are stated in the bottom of the m[poster in the production blurb together with other key information about the film.

Production blurb-There is a production blurb on the bottom of the poster which is hard to read.This includes the directors name as well as the stars and other key information about the film.

Colour Scheme:The colour scheme of this Film poster is mostly black and different shades of grey.The one colour that stands out the most is the orange colour that shows of the Title perfectly.

Trailer

Key Conventions

• Institutional details – film studio, actors, director etc.
• Short clips of key moments in film to introduce characters and narrative
• Fast paced editing to suggest drama and excitement-The were some of the clips from the film that were at fast pase because the was alot of action happening
• On-screen text (replaces tradition of voiceover)
• Stars –The was no stars in the beginning of this trailer.
• Title and release date –The was no release date or title at the end of this trailer
• Social media hashtags / website details
• Production blurb-The wasnt a production blurb at the end of the trailer.
• Music that communicates genre and ‘feel’ of film

Taken

Your chosen movie
1) What film have you chosen? 
The movie that I have chosen is Taken.I have chosen this movie because I believe that it is interesting and also because I think that is has a lot to analyse. Also because the film includes one of my favourite actors and because it is of the genre that I like.


Institutional background
Use IMDB to find out the institutions behind your chosen film. Find your film, click on Company Credits and then look for the production company and UK distributor.

1) What was the film studio or production company behind your chosen film? E.g. Warner Brothers, Paramount etc.
 The production company that is behind Taken is the EuropaCorp.
2) Who was the distributor for the theatrical release of the film in the UK?
The distributor for the theatrical release of Taken in the UK is the 20th Century Fox.


No brand loyalty
1) What genre does your chosen film fit into?
The film that I have chosen is Taken.The genre that this film fits into is action.
2) How can you tell it fits that genre? Be specific with reference to the trailer.
We can tell that this movie is action because there is a chase and also weapons are involved.
3) Is your chosen movie a sequel?
No,the movie that i have chosen is not a sequel.
3a) If Yes, how does the film use the original movie or franchise as part of its marketing? 
3b) If No, are previous films by the writer, director or star mentioned in the trailer? 
There are no previous films by the writer or any stars mentioned in the trailer.


It’s all a matter of timing
1) What was the UK release date for your chosen film?
The release date that was chosen for Taken was 26 September 2008.
62) When did the first trailer appear on YouTube for your movie? Find the earliest example you can and embed it in your blog.
The first trailer that I found on youtube for Taken was added in May 2008.

3) What other examples of marketing (teaser trailers, main trailers, newspaper or TV interviews etc.) can you find for your chosen film from before the film’s release date?
The other things that I have found that informed people about the move was TV adverts as well as posters.Also the was trailers on you tube and other social media.A lot of people have talked about Taken.A couple of days before the movie was released.



It’s a social thing
1) What was the word-of-mouth like for your chosen film? If you can’t find tweets (probably blocked) use the IMDB user review rating or the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating to judge whether the public have given the movie a good review.
The review rating for Taken on IMDB is 7.9 out of 10.Most of the reviews on IMDB are positive.They give out a lot of the information about the movie and if it is good or not.

2) Find three quotes (no more than 25 words each) from user reviews of your movie to create a picture of what the public reaction to the film has been. Post them on your blog.
'I was not disappointed... I'm not sure if this was intentional but there were no trailers before the movie, so being thrown strait into the film unexpectedly with people whispering "is this it then ?" only helping build up some initial tension and excitement.'

'I saw this movie tonight at the sneak preview and I was completely surprised and blown away. I went to see this movie with no expectations. In the beginning it seems that it was going to be an easy to watch movie, but after a short time it turned into a high-speed action movie. I found the story original and so did my friends'

'From beginning to end, this film packs an amazing adrenaline rush - that much is certain. Perhaps it is the straightforward, nearly nonstop Liam Neeson-as-Steven Seagal action that is buying the movie's reputation as it enters the rental phase of its life, or the legitimately serious topic of child exploitation / the worldwide child/young adult sex trade, but despite these strengths, the film also causes me to pause and consider its even more distressing qualities - plot holes and inconsistencies, ethnic stereotypes, and the exchanging of one inexcusable violence for another.'



Risky business
Use IMDB to find out the box office records for your chosen film. Find your film, click on Company Credits and then Box Office/Business.

1) What was the original budget for your chosen film?
The original budged for Taken was around $25,000,000.

2) How much money did the film make in the opening weekend?
In the opening weekend the film has made £1,165,986 in the UK on the 28 September 2008 and $24,717,037 in the USA on the 1 February 2009

3) How much money has the film made in total? (Look for the subheading ‘Gross’ which has the total box-office earnings listed).
The film has made $226,830,568 worldwide.



Stars in their eyes
Research the stars and director for your chosen film.

1) What films has the director previously directed? Are they in the same or similar genres?
The films that the director (Perrie Moral) has previously directed are The Transporter and The Transporter 22.Both of those films were the same genre as Taken.

2) Who is the main star in the film?
The main star in Taken is Liam Neeson playing Bryan Mills

3) What other films has the main star appeared in? Are any of the films similar to the one you are researching?

4) Are the stars or the director or writer mentioned in the trailer for the film?
The stars are not mentioned in the trailer as well as the director.

Trailers

Annabelle

The genre of Annabelle is Horror.We know that it is a horror movie because paranormal things happen in is as well as there are ghosts in it.The music in it is a scary and high music.Also,we know it is a horror movie because of the things that happen in the movie.

Taken 2

The genre of Taken 2 is Action.We know this because of the car chases that happen in it as well as the shootings.We can also see that it is a action movie because of what happens in it.The guns that are used in this movie show us that it is a violent movie.Also all the fights that happen show us that this is a violent and action movie.

Love Rosie

The genre of this movie is Romance/Drama,We know this by the love that is happening in the movie.The movie is also drama because of the problems that occur in this movie as well as because of the arguments.