Digital Audiovisual Media Class Blog

Released in 2009, Coraline follows a young girl who discovers a parallel world that initially seems perfect but hides sinister intentions. As her Other Mother tries to trap her, Coraline must confront the darkness to save her real family. Image source 1: Coraline movie poster (Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CORALINE-POSTER-APPROX-12X8-INCHES/dp/B00CPM6A82) Although a stop-motion animation, Coraline embodies Shaviro’s (2010,…

Railton and Watson argue that the ways racial imagery was developed and reinforced during the Victorian era, particularly through colonial and imperialist ideologies that upheld white dominance, still influence how black and white people are perceived today (Railton and Watson, 2011). This can be seen in modern media, including music videos. For example, Childish Gambino’s ‘This…

By Ismail Hadj-Maamar 33738244 Week 4: Netflix, Binge-viewing and Internet distributed film and TV House of Cards wasn’t just another political drama – it revolutionized how we watch TV. Netflix shook things up by dropping all episodes at once, letting us dive headfirst into Frank Underwood’s world without waiting week after week. This binge-watching approach…

By Ismail Hadj-Maamar 33738244 Week 2: Post Cinematic Affect and Sensation/Audiovisual Video Essays Cinema today isn’t just about what we see; it’s about what we feel. Steven Shaviro’s concept of post-cinematic affect explores how digital technologies have transformed audiovisual media into something that impacts us viscerally, operating beyond traditional narrative or emotional frameworks. Beyoncé’s Lemonade…

With the rapid advancement of contemporary digital technology, the art of cinema is undergoing a profound transformation. Innovations in digital animation, special effects, and audiovisual language are gradually redefining traditional cinematic aesthetics and narrative techniques, ushering in what has been termed the “post-cinematic era.” Film scholar Steven Shaviro introduced the concept of “post-cinematic emotion,” which…

By Ismail Hadj-Maamar 33738244 Week 1: The Digital Transformation of Cinema and Television Cinema isn’t what it used to be. It’s no longer about sitting in a theater, letting a story unfold in a straight line. Instead, it’s morphing into something interactive, self-aware, and digitally driven. Take Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), for example. It’s not…

In Disney’s animated movies, every blade of grass sways in the wind, every strand of hair is crystal clear, every movement is fluid and natural… From Mickey Mouse to every princess, each character has left an indelible impression on generations of people. For hundreds of years, Disney has created countless dreams for adults and children…

The second season of Arcane has solidified its position as a groundbreaking work, blending animation, postmodern cinematic aesthetics, and the dynamic interplay of music and visuals. Based on the League of Legends universe, Arcane transcends its origins as a game adaptation, delivering a deeply resonant narrative and visual experience. This essay explores how Arcane achieves…

From MTV’s 1981 debut to social media-driven sites of today, the evolution of music videos illuminates how we view, interact with and enjoy music videos seems to be transforming. When MTV first launched, music videos were a key source of promotion for bands. ‘Thriller’ and ‘Take on Me’ became the gold standards, stacking innovative special…

Contemporary music videos have become a powerful medium for exploring the relationship between gender and the body. In particular, the depiction of the female body is often central to perpetuating and challenging the male gaze. Using artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and FKA twigs as examples, this article explores how music videos critique the…