Module C: Text and Society. Elective 1: The Global village. Film: Sitch , Rob, The Castle , Roadshow , 1997.

1. Module C: Text and Society.Elective 1: The Global village.Film: Sitch, Rob, The Castle, Roadshow, 1997.

2. Synopsis. Darryl Kerrigan is an average man, living on the edge of an airport in suburban Victoria. He has three sons (one of whom is in jail), a married daughter and a stay at home wife. He operates a small trucking business and enjoys the simple pleasures; greyhound racing, speed boating and improving his home. Darryl receives a letter that entails the compulsory purchase of his home by a corporation intent on extending the nearby airport. He hires an inadequate lawyer to represent his neighbours and himself, and several attempts are made to stop the compulsory acquisition. All efforts fail and Darryl , his family and his neighbours , must move out of their homes. They face dismal prospects as their finances afford few options. A chance meeting with a Queen’s counsellor, Lawrence Hammill, results in the case appearing before the High Court of Australia. The court finds in favour of Darryl and his neighbour.

3. What is a global village? Today, the term "Global Village" is mostly used as a metaphor to describe the Internet and World Wide Web. Internet - social spheres are greatly expanded by the openness of the web and the ease with which people can search for online communities and interact with others that share the same interests and concerns. Technology fosters the idea of a conglomerate yet unified global community. McLuhan says that the increased speed and amount of information available forces us to become more involved with one and to be more aware of our global responsibilities.

4. Many contemporary texts such as ‘The Castle’ seek to satirically highlight the Global Village by using the rhetorical strategy of representing an argument where the weaker position is in fact made to seem the stronger. By giving power to the underdog, the alienating, destructive qualities of the ‘goliath’ roller-coaster of globalisation are raised as important social issues. The impact of materialism, Americanisation and trans-national corporative power threatens national values and attitudes and usurps the rights of individuals.

5. Breaking down the rubrics – what are the key sentences?In this elective students explore a variety of texts that deal with the ways in whichindividuals and communities experience and live in a global context. Students consider the positive and negative aspects of the global village and the consequences of these attitudes, values and beliefs.Students also consider the role and uses of media and technology within the global village and different attitudes people may have towards them. Students respond to and compose a range of texts to investigate how and in what ways living in a global village may influence the ways we communicate, engage and interact with each other.

6. * ...individuals and communities experience and live in a global context. The global context, is a notion that everything and everyone throughout the globe is connected. What happens in one country, has ripple effects throughout the world. Consider ‘9/11’ and how many cities, countries, communities and people around the world were deeply affected and still are to this day. With the increased access to and capacity for multimedia communication, there is now no country that is not affected by and apart of the global context. So broad and encapsulating is the global context, that it is often referred to as the global village.

7. ....positive and negative aspects of the global village and the consequences of these attitudes, values and beliefs. At all times, there are positive and negative aspects for communities and individuals living within the global village. For example, women from the village of Benpaing (Laos) have for centuries been taught the art of weaving. As the tourism industry infiltrates Laos, the women’s creations are bought by wealthy holiday makers. The women now have the money to not only provide for themselves but also educate themselves. The men, without trade to equal the women’s weaving, are undesirable partners. Marriage rates have dropped dramatically and with that, traditional marriage practises have also been made redundant. * As we grow and experience the global village, we begin to accumulate positive or negative attitudes, values and beliefs. These initial attitudes, values and beliefs can have a ripple affect, as they enable or disable our position within the global village.

8. The global village is largely enabled by the presence of media and technology; it’s capacity to infiltrate every corner of the global village is unsurpassed by any other form of communication in human history. uses of media and technology within the global village and different attitudes people may have towards them. * People have varying attitudes towards media and technology, synthesised from past experiences and perceptions of the role that media and technology play within the global context.

9. how and in what ways living in a global village may influence the ways we communicate, engage and interact with each other. * This descriptor works on the understanding that the global village has infiltrated our life to such an extent, that it has a direct impact on the way in which we communicate, engage and interact with each other. Consider the Benpaing women, and how the global village has affected the way in which they interact with the men and mothers of their village.

10. ...individuals and communities experience and live in a global context. uses of media and technology within the global village and different attitudes people may have towards them. ....positive and negative aspects of the global village and the consequences of these attitudes, values and beliefs. how and in what ways living in a global village may influence the ways we communicate, engage and interact with each other. From these key sentences we can summarise six key elements of the Global Village.

11. The six elements of the Global Village module. 1. The global village exists everywhere, in every community, in every individual. 2 The global village positively and negatively affects communities and the individual. 3 Attitudes, values and beliefs towards the global village, affect the way in which a person operates within the global village. 4 Media and technology is used by the global village and essential in a global context. 5 There are a variety of attitudes towards media and technology. 6The global village affects the way in which individuals communicate, engage and interact with each other. You must discuss these six elements, as they appear in ‘The Castle’, depicted through film techniques.

12. A word on film techniques. Nothing in a film is accidental. Directors and editors spend hours and months deciding how to shoot a scene and what footage to include in the final cut. Everything you see has been selected to communicate an idea and evoke a certain reaction from the audience. You have to start thinking as a viewer who is fully aware of the way in which all films are constructions. When discussing films, your arguments should always be supported with reference to filming technique. Your job is to interpret the module and find the film technique that’s demonstrate the module.

13. Basic and necessary elements of a film discussion.

14. What element of the global village is being presented. How has film technique enabled this depiction? A well developed answer!

15. Element 1. How do film techniques demonstrate that the global village exists everywhere, in every community, in every individual? • A panorama at the beginning of the movie shows the family home directly next to the airport; a second low angle shot shows a plan dominating the space above the family home; the three exist in close proximity to each other. • Mid shots of the family home, sounds of kitchen ware rattling and the plane flying directly overhead emphasise that despite the tight microcosm of the family, the global village continues to directly impact upon their life together. • An establishing shot of Daryl at Bonnydoon, powerlines looming above him, reiterates that the global village is not limited to the suburbs. • A mid shot of Daryl and anonymous biker shows that the global village now has an identity, formidable and intimidating; albeit anonymous. It shows that the global village, where before was simply around them, is now approaching the inner sanctuary of their home. • The global village even manages to find Wayne in prison; a close up shows him enraged and angered by the global village’s crumbling impact on his father and family. • Tracking shots of Laurie and Daryl fishing suggest that the global village can enrich your life. • My name’s Dale Kerrigan and that was my story, the global village can be witnessed on a very personal level.

16. Element 2. How do film techniques demonstrate the way in which the global village positively and negatively affects communities and the individual? • The global village, represented by the trady post, is a constant point of interest and of great value for the whole family. The global village affects them positively. • Mid shots and close ups of the family enjoying their gifts and listening to stories of Thailand emphasis that the global village makes foreign countries more accessible for Westerners. • Tracking shots of photos of Daryl and Laurie show that lives can be greatly enriched as a result of the global village. • Mid shots of Daryl and his wife arguing show how the global village has affected their relationship. A repeat of a sad, sombre song played during mid shots of the family at further emphasises the idea that their family has been changed. • The party at the Daryl house features lots of eye level shots, people walking through shots and over the shoulder perspectives. It suggests that once the individual and community feels safe within the global village, they can live happily and positively.

17. Element 3. How do film techniques demonstrate that attitudes, values and beliefs towards the global village, affect the way in which a person operates within the global village? • Low angle shots of the planes show Daryl’s positive beliefs about their value and this is further reflected in his belief that they improve the value of his home. • Once Daryl receives his letter, his attitude towards the global village becomes negative; alternatingmid shots of Daryl and a council clerk show them at opposing sides of the argument. • Daryl’s failure to understand the power play he has entered into is demonstrated in the high angle shot of him in court and a low angle shot of the judge. This highlights Daryl’s shortcomings within this context. An oblique angle shot of the rejected homeowners further demonstrates their inability to stand strong within the global village. • Daryl’s emotive language ‘fuck off you clown’ shows his anger and his growing desire to feel justice and power. • The threat against their homes has driven the neighbours underground. The setting is reminiscent of a bunker during war; Daryl and the neighbours have cut themselves from the global context. • Disappointed by the court decision, reactions to adverts from the trading post (the familiy’s main connection to the global village) are shallow and disheartened. • When a council clerk confirms the bad news, a long shot shows him walking alongside the council building. A slow, sombre song plays. Together they suggest that Daryl has been made to feel alienated and despondent.

18. Element 4. How do film techniques demonstrate that media and technology is used by the global village and essential in a global context? • Alternating mid shots of Daryl in front of the airport and low angles of the powerlines in front of Daryl, show that media and technology, sit side by side in a global context, surrounding the individual at all times. • a full shot of Dennis Denuto swearing at the photocopy machine implies that Dennis has technological shortcomings which will disadvantage him in the global context. • As the story appears on the news, the broadcast reader opens with the phrase ‘First tonight’. The importance of the story lends weight to the idea that media is essential in a global context, as the case may not have otherwise spread around the world. • The victory was reported in all the papers, the importance of this statement is found in the word ‘all’ which suggests that events that have an effect on the global do so primarily through media outlets.

19. Element 5. How do film techniques demonstrate that there are a variety of attitudes towards media and technology. • Low angles depicting Daryl looking up at the planes and powerlines show that he has great respect and admiration for these symbols of the global village and technology; he enjoys being near them and identifies the necessity and benefits of their existence. • As the Daryl and his neighbours become serious they utilise an overhead projector. The positioning suggests that they see the benefit of technology as their concerns deepen. • In calling the Kerrigan’s home an ‘eye sore’ the film demonstrates the way in which the media provides a limited perspective of what a home should look like. His is an attitude of all believing faith. • Close ups of Daryl show him enjoying the attention of the media. • After the case, a close up of Dennis Denuto’s next photocopier suggests that his attitude towards technology is now a positive one.

20. Element 6. How do film techniques demonstrate that the global village affects the way in which individuals communicate, engage and interact with each other. • At the beginning of the narrative the family is tightknit; mid shots show them in constant close proximity to each other, sharing stories and eating. • Several full shots of the family talking about Thailand show that they are engaged and enriched by exploring the global village. • The impact of the global village begins to damper spirits, mid shots of the family eating are unanimated and reserved. • When Daryl and Dennis lose the case, Daryl finds it hard to carry on. Mid shots, fulls and close ups show all involved looking disempowered and weak. • Wins over the power of the global village are empowering and make people feel better, e.g. mid and close up shots of people laughing and embracing at the party.

21. Finally……… a ground shot of the plane flying over emphasises that the global village has not been defeated. Instead, shots and narration of the family doing the things they love, tells us that things have returned to normal.

22. How do I turn this into a paragraph? Triangle analysis. • The quote, it’s • origin and the language/structural device by which we name it. 2. Identify the verb that is a product of the language/structural device; imply, create, depict, demonstrate, persuade, inform, encourage, and what this verb does. 3. Identify what the author is trying to convey. 4. How does this language/structural device relate to the question? * In our case, how does this language/structural device show the global village?

23. The quote, it’s origin and the • language/structural device by • which we name it. Full, stationary, ground shot of a large plane flying over head. 2. Identify the verb that is a product of the language/ structural device; imply, create, depict, demonstrate, persuade, inform, encourage, and what this verb does. 3. Identify what the author is trying to convey. 4. How does this language/structural device relate to the question? * In our case, how does this language/structural device show the global village?

24. Supplementary texts: When the buying stops, so does the killing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfBjzX5ZTJE&feature=channel

26. Choose an element from the table you have just drawn and use the triangle to analyse it. • The quote, it’s • origin and the language/structural device by which we name it. 2. Identify the verb that is a product of the language/structural device; imply, create, depict, demonstrate, persuade, inform, encourage, and what this verb does. 3. Identify what the author is trying to convey. 4. How does this language/structural device relate to the question? * In our case, how does this language/structural device show the global village?

27. Suggested supplementary texts. * It is not advisable that you also study a film – you want to show that you can discuss a variety of text types. Poetry: ‘Californication’ red hot chillli peppers (describes the spread of US culture via Hollywood (film and pop culture)), Non-fiction: brochures or advertisements from global corporations such as McDonalds, MTV, Gloria Jean’s coffee. Newspaper articles on events that have had global reprocussions; tsunami’s, 9/11, gulf coast oil spill. Posters from agencies that represent charity efforts in other countries Multimedia: facebook, RSPCA , ebay,

28. Number one study tip – divide and conquer.