I decided to watch the Netflix original The First. I watched
the first 15 minutes of it with the sound off- honestly that’s all I could take.
Based on the context, visuals, and the nonverbal cues it was easy to pick up what
was going on. They were getting ready to launch the first humans to mars and
the two main characters were worried about it failing. I deduced that the man and women worked
together on the project. The man did not feel it was safe to do the mission but
the woman was determined to complete it.
In a flash back the man shook his head and looked down as the woman looked straight at him- with no expression.
The man pulled himself away from the
project and the woman pushed it forward. The man was worried the entire morning
as was the woman- probably doubting her decision to go through with the mission
and unsure of how safe it really was.
He sits up in bed looking worried. He shakes his head and
scratches it and runs his fingers through his hair. Throughout his morning routine
he has a serious yet nervous look on his face- at times even an angry expression displayed by a
furrowed brow. The woman is shown on TV talking about what could only be the
launch. Although she is smiling throughout the interview you can see her
clenching her jaw and often moving her eyes off to the side or looking up. She
hesitated in some of her responses- slightly opening and closing her mouth and
then responding. As she sees the astronauts to this shuttle she smiles and
shakes their hands and then crosses her arms over her midsection and clenches
her jaw. She is worried.
My assumptions were pretty on point after watching with the sound on. I think it had a lot to do with understanding the context of the show and how they planned out the visuals and images throughout the episode. From the flash back and the nervousness on the main characters faces you could feel how worried they were. I thinking that knowing the context is the biggest "aha" aspect for me as well as the images/visuals they played aided my understanding of what was going on.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your assumptions were correct! You noticed the characters facial expressions, which can give off a lot about what someone is feeling. I think knowing the context definitely helps out, because then you can determine whether or not the characters may be feeling happy or worried. In a dramatic show like that, there aren't many happy/funny moments! Thanks for sharing!
Tara
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeletePaying attention to the context is a sure way of getting a hint of what is going on and how it's communicated. Language is symbolic as noted by O’Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Teven (2015). Signs represent a person, idea or thing and their meaning can be deduced from the context, like the space launch that you mentioned. From a writer's point of view, being able to foresee what is about to happen in a show may be considered bad writing, but for someone observing communication techniques it is an indication that the language and gestures are understood and can tell the story.
Reference
O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Tevan, J. (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you looking at a film without sound is similar to the silent movies of the past, not easy. I was able to gather some pointers from the scenes, however the main character had on a uniform so I assumed the bad guy was in the armed service. Completely wrong assumption, but the lesson did impress me with how assumptions made without facts usually are wrong. O'Hair,Wiemann, Mullin,& Tevin(2015) advice was to:"Question your assumptions"(p.40). It is easy to think we know, when we really do not.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by the show and had to check it out! :)
I think it is interesting how muting the television really allows for us to observe a television show. There is a similar show that I actually watched for giggles called Stranger Things and the images really tell a story. In my experiences I have read tons of picture books to children and can tell many stories based off one picture and the STranger Things did a great job doing that! Based off of your experiences sounds like this show really sent a message using a variety of non-verbal cues to express how one feels!
Thanks for sharing and also introducing a new show.
-Kristiana Reeves
Krissy,
DeleteStranger Things is a great show. Thinking back to the two seasons, if it were just the music and no words the ideas and plot would most definitely be enough to keep anyone intrigued. I think I would be ok with watching it without the words but at least give me the pictures and music and I'll be good.