How is Skyfall a product of its time?

Terrorism and Criminality - 
Skyfall shows that terrorism has become an individual thing rather than something which is organised and planned by a group of people, as seen in a previous Bond film called Thunderball. Skyfall shows the change in terrorism and how it has progressed and become cyber based, all carried out through a single computer system and a single person.

Sexuality - 
Skyfall representations of gay people show that they have become far more positive compared to previous Bond films. For example, in Skyfall Silva is feared by many people whereas in Diamonds are Forever the two gay villains are laughed at. As Skyfall is the more recent film of the two it reflects the higher tolerance of homosexuality in society in modern day.

Gender - 
Skyfall representations of women are a lot less objectified, women are shown more respect than in previous Bond films. For example, in Skyfall Bond gets into the shower with a women because she gave him permission to. Whereas in Thunderball he enters the bathroom where a women is in the bath without any permission and sits there. Furthermore, Skyfall shows a redefined woman. We see this through Moneypenny, an independent woman, who resists Bond's charm. This reflects the independence and progression of women in a modern day society.

Chosen films - Genre

What are the generic identities of the two films you have chosen?

• The Silence of the Lambs - Thriller
• The Wolf of Wall Street - Comedy

Is there any evidence of sub-genercity?

• The Silence of the Lambs - Also has elements of horror and police crime drama.
• The Wolf of Wall Street - Also has elements of crime and it is slightly biographical as it is based on a true person. 

How do you know? (icons, signifiers, narrative structure, character types, actors associated with certain genres etc)

• The Silence of the Lambs -  
• The Wolf of Wall Street - 

In what ways do the films challenge the genre conventions?

• The Silence of the Lambs - 
• The Wolf of Wall Street - 

Outline the films' generic identities using non iconographic means?

• The Silence of the Lambs - 
• The Wolf of Wall Street - 

Choose a key sequence from each film and explain how it captures the film's genre.

• The Silence of the Lambs - 
• The Wolf of Wall Street - 

Films -
Skyfall
Silence Of The Lambs
The Wolf of Wall Street

Skyfall - Representation Notes

Summarise how males are represented in Skyfall: 

• Q - represented as a feminine character as he is portrayed as gentle, delicate and softly spoken within the film which is a complete opposite to Bond's masculinity. He is a IT expert who comes across to the audience as 'geeky' or a 'nerd'. 
• Bond - represented as a masculine character as he works out on the field and involved in all the action. For example: chases/explosions/using weapons etc. 
• Silva - represented as both a masculine and feminine character. This is because he is a violent killer yet through the film we see a feminine side to him when there is an aspect of homosexuality portrayed through him. 

Summarise how females are represented in Skyfall: 

• M - represented as a masculine character, especially towards the end when she is involved with the action and using weapons. She is also a matriarch, the mother figure within the film, Silva and Bond refer to her as this. Overall she is represented as a powerful authority figure. 
• Moneypenny - represented as both a masculine and feminine character. She is involved in action throughout the film and from the start of the film we see her using a gun.  
• Bernice - represented as a typical vulnerable woman. In the film she is killed by Silva. 

Explain how stereotypes are challenged in Skyfall: 

• M - challenges the general stereotype of a woman of the older generation. She is expected to be a delicate, vulnerable old woman however she is the complete opposite within the film. She is a masculine character who has a lot of authority, power and involvement with action. 

Narrative Assessment - Skyfall

Give three examples of how action codes are used in the film Skyfall and explain how these help to tell the story. (3) 
 - Through action codes we as an audience can make a presumption that Silver is homosexual. This is never mentioned throughout the film however when we see Silver stroking James Bond's leg, chin and unbuttoning his shirt it has connotations of sexual attraction. Therefore, this action code can suggest that Silver is homosexual.
- Furthermore, action codes are used in the narrative when M hears that Bond has been shot. Her facial expressions and actions during this scene indicates to the audience that this is isn't what she wanted and the mission has now become a failure. We know this as she remains silent and stands staring through the window.
- Another action code which helps to tell the story is when we see Bond in hiding and he is playing drinking games. This indicates to the audience that this is not what Bond should be doing as a secret agent and suggests that he is clearly not working for MI6 at this time.

Give three examples of the use of enigma codes in Skyfall and explain how these keep the audience engaged. (3) 
- At the beginning of the film enigma codes are used frequently. We as the audience begin to question who the man is that he is chasing and why he wants the hard drive. We also question what is on the hard drive that is so significant.
- When Bond is being psycho analysed and the word 'Skyfall' is mentioned, Bond replies saying "done" and walks out. Therefore, we begin to question why he has walked out at the mention of this word.
-A further enigma code used within the film is when we question why Silver is after M. We as an audience don't find out the answer to this till later on in the film, therefore it leaves us questioning it for the majority of the film.

Analyse the film's narrative structure using a narrative theory, and argue which even in the film corresponds with each stage of the theory. (8) 
Skyfall follows Robert Mckee's Five Part Narrative Theory. To begin with the inciting incident happens which sets the story off: Patrice steals the hard drive. Progressive complications then occur as Bond chases Patrice to attempt to get the hard drive back. This results in Moneypenny accidentally shooting Bond instead of Patrice. The crisis happens when the information off the hard drive is revealed and posted on the internet, with 5 undercover agents names threatened to be revealed each week. The climax of the film then occurs when Silver escapes from prison and destroys the house which M and Bond are currently hiding in. We then see the resolution of the narrative as Bond goes into see Mallory and is given another mission to do. This shows that everything is back to normal, despite the loss of M.

Besides the narrative how is the audience engaged by the film? (6) 
- One way the audience may be engaged by the film is the association with earlier Bond films. If a spectator has watched previous Bond films they will pick up on things from previous films such as the character types etc.
- The fact that Daniel Craig stars as James Bond may be another way of engaging the audience. Some audience members go to watch films simply because their favorite actor is in it. Therefore, Skyfall will engage an audience of Daniel Craig fans.
- The audience is also engaged through the genre. Skyfall is an action film with many fast cuts, chase scenes and explosions which create tension throughout. This keeps the audience engaged by the film as there is always something happening.