EHKTFPM_Lecture2_Notes_Sem2_2425_1690e9036855c42a08d3b278becf0ff0

Exploring Hong Kong Through Film and Popular Music

Lecture 2 (Semester 2, 2024-25) - Basic Concepts

PART 1: Further Discussion on Production, Text, Audience, and Context Framework

Recap of Basic Framework for Film and Popular Music Studies

• Production: occurs within a broader social, economic, and institutional context.

• Text: structured artistic outputs such as movies and music.

• Audience: interacts with and interprets the text within their social contexts.

• Adapted from Figure IN.6 by Longhurst & Bogdanović in Popular Music and Society (2014).

Detailed Analysis of the Framework

• Introduction: The framework emphasizes the necessity for detailed analytical attention to:

  • Production aspects.

  • The nature of the product (film or music).

  • Audience consumption processes.

• Additional Context: Films and music are products of complex production processes involving various actors and institutions. Understanding who influences these processes is vital.

Audience Consumption Dynamics

• Audience consumption is critical; diverse audiences can yield different understandings and uses of texts.

• Contextual Consideration: Political, economic, and cultural contexts must be acknowledged as they influence the production, text, and audience.

Production, Dissemination, and Consumption

• Process Overview:

  • Production: Involves various producers and contributes to the creation of texts.

  • Dissemination: Occurs through various platforms (cinemas, CDs, online media).

  • Consumption: The experiences and interpretations of texts by the audience.

Key Issues or Questions for Examining Films or Songs

• Moving beyond basic narrative or lyrical meaning:

  • Evaluate production aspects including the producers involved and broader contexts affecting production.

  • Investigate collaboration in production and influences like governmental or corporate pressures.

Textual Analysis Questions

1. Content/Form Analysis:

   • What does the text represent?

   • How is it presented and structured?

   • Possible varied interpretations by different audience groups.

Audience Studies

• Who constitutes the audience for the film/music? What are their responses?

• Analyze interpretation diversity across categories like gender, generation, and social class.

Dissemination and Consumption Considerations

• Examine how and where music/film is consumed:

  • Various media formats (smartphones, home systems, theaters)

  • Impact of consumption method on understanding and pleasure derived.

Contextual Influences

• Emphasize political, economic, and social/cultural contexts in analyzing production, text, and audience.

Discussion – Applying Framework

• Choose two Hong Kong-oriented songs about the working class for comparative analysis.

• Utilize the "Production – Text – Audience + Context" framework for a multidimensional understanding.

Examples of Relevant Songs

• Half a Catty, Eight Taels (1976) by Sam Hui

• Who Invented Work? (2009) by my little airport

• Note the warnings regarding the content of the associated media.

Study and Analyze Insights

• Identify similarities and differences.

• List relevant questions for further exploration based on initial analyses.

PART 2: Text and Meaning - Core Concepts

Recap of Text Analysis from Lecture 1

• Movie Text Components: script, directing, acting, promotional materials.

• Music Text Components: melody, lyrics, arrangement, album design.

Different Layers of Meaning

• Texts possess multiple meanings dependent on context and audience interpretation.

• Meanings range from neutral to deeply socially imbued; decoding relies on individual knowledge and context.

Dynamic Nature of Texts

• Recognize the shifting nature of meanings over time, influenced by societal changes and audience dynamics.

Representation in Film/Music

• Representation involves creating meaning through signs/language to convey interpretations of reality.

• Media creators' perspectives shape representations, offering subjective realities through chosen elements like visuals and narratives.

Discussion on Representation

• Analyze clips reflecting perspectives of young factory workers from different narratives.

• Highlight which aspects may be emphasized/distorted.

Genre Understanding

• Definition: Genre signifies types/categories with recurring elements across films and songs.

• Examples:

  • Film Genres: comedy, horror, drama.

  • Music Genres: pop, rock, hip-hop.

Discussion on Content and Form

• Content: Depicts the subject, message, and values presented.

• Form: Encompasses style, presentation techniques, and genre codes.

Creative Exercise

• Propose a movie/song about contemporary secondary school students.

• Explore narrative presentation styles and alternative interpretations.

Conclusion: Summary of Key Concepts

• The interconnected framework of "Production – Text – Audience" and contextual influences.

• Importance of dynamics in interpretation and representation.

References

Recommended Reading:

• Shuker, R. (2012). Popular Music Culture: The Key Concepts. 3rd ed. London: Routledge.

• Longhurst, B. & Bogdanović, D. (2014). Popular Music and Society. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Polity.

Additional References:

• Explore thorough literature on representation, genre, and cultural theory as suggested.