‘Screen narratives’ –‘analysing film and television’ informs the reader about the presence of narrative structures and styles present in media, in particular film, television shows and interactive digital media. The article informs the reader about how different structures are suited to different demographics which, in turn, impacts on the viewers interpretation of what they are watching. The technique of Structuralism which ‘attempts to disclose the deep structural architecture and patterns like binary opposition beneath the surface of the text’ ibid (page 162) is fluently examined and is a central feature of the article.
The discussion of digital game narratives on page (179) ibid, was a feature that I found great interest in, as compared to the other media structures, digital game players can, ‘become’ the central figure in the cinematic environment’ (page 179 ibid) and ‘become authors of their own multiple story lines’ (page 181) ibid. This suggests an element of control and structure perhaps not attained in reality by the player. An example I find relevant to this notion is the Virginia tech shootings and the many arguments in regards to video game subjectivity being a catalyst of the event.
Jack Thompson, an attorney for girls who were shot in a similar incident in Kentucky 1997, is a strong opponent of violent computer games as seen in this interview:
He reveals his theory that the game taught Seung Hui-cho (the shooter) how to conduct the murders with such precision. He announces that the games ‘drills you and gives scenarios on how to kill people’ The most powerful statement I got from this interview was when Thompson stated ‘video games are imitating life and then you get a bleed over of life imitating the art that he was into. This was all a game’ (4:33-4:44) which poses an interesting notion in regards to the media controlling us opposed to us controlling it.
‘The audiences active construction of meaning’ (page 182) ibid, in regards to the media they are consuming is interesting when studying such a case. It’s amazing how different screen narratives and the way in which different people read into them, can have such an adverse effect. They abuse the power they are privileged to through a digital alias, reflecting a grim and tragic situation in real life.
References:
Screen narratives’ by Stadler, J. & McWilliam, K (2009)
References:
Screen narratives’ by Stadler, J. & McWilliam, K (2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvMGuh3_3JE uploaded by 'FRONZ' On April 19th 2007
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