James Bond Analysis

1. SECTION A EXAM
PRACTICE
SKYFALL MOTORBIKE SEQUENCE

2. THE CLIP
This paper is based on the motorbike chase
sequence at the start of Skyfall (2012)
The clip lasts for approximately 3mins, and can
easily be found on YouTube

3. QUESTION1
Explain two ways in which the narrative (events and
characters) in this extract fits in the action adventure genre.
Refer to specific examples in the extract.
(10 Marks)
What is this asking you to do?

4. A*/A GRADE
Level 4 answers should competently use media language
(such as ‘convention’, ‘protagonist’, and ‘antagonist’) to
discuss the two conventions identified.
Level 4 (8–10 marks)
Explains two generic narrative features
Shows thorough understanding of appropriate generic
conventions
Ideas and arguments supported by evidence
Precise and accurate use of terminology
Fluent and clear expression

5. C GRADE
Level 3 answers should identify two generic features.
Level 3 (6–7 marks)
States two generic narrative features
Shows sound understanding of appropriate generic
conventions
Offers sound textual evidence (at the top)
Some accurate use of terminology
Fluent and clear expression, errors do not obscure meaning.

6. CONTENT C GRADE
You should discuss various features of the extract that fit the
conventions of the action/adventure genre, for example:
hero and villains
conflict and violence
hero is indestructible
high adrenaline chase sequences
jeopardy or peril.

7. CONTENT A*/A GRADE
You should discuss the conventions in accurate detail
sophisticated media terminology
Binary oppositions- good (M16 agents) versus evil
(terrorists/henchmen)
High adrenaline chase sequences, with fast paced editing
Signifiers of the genre- weapons have the connotative effect of
ever present danger
Highly populated exotic locations, with the potential of high
casualties
Lack of realism through exaggerated action sequences,
reinforces the constant threat of death throughout the sequence
Invincible male protagonist (Bond), with Propp’s ‘helper’
character (Moneypenny) to support his quest

8. QUESTION 2
Question 2:
Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:
Soundtrack
Editing
Mise-en-scene
Camera work
(20 Marks)
Here you need to really know your media
terminology, technical codes and symbolic codes

9. A*/A GRADE
These answers contain more than one
example for each technical area,
accurately described, with effective
connotative analysis for each
element.

10. A*/A CRITERIA
Level 4 (16–20 marks)
Comprehensive range of examples (all
bullet points accurate)
Detailed analysis of textual evidence from
the extract, precise and accurate use of
terminology
Thorough understanding of connotative
effect
Ideas expressed clearly and fluently.

11. C GRADE
These answers should accurately
describe one example for each bullet
point, identifying the connotative
effects within these.

12. C CRITERIA
Level 3 (12–15 marks)
Comprehensive range of examples (all
bullet points attempted)
Offers sound textual evidence from the
extract, some accurate use of terminology
Sound understanding of connotative effect
Ideas expressed with some clarity and
fluency

13. SOUND
• Mix of diegetic and non-diegetic audio to enhance the
excitement and sense of danger in the sequence
• Throughout the chase scene there are various sounds
mixed together and played at the same time to reflect the
send of chaos which is visually represented in the busy
mise-en-scene of the market place (the Grand Bazaar)
• The use of multi-layered sound adds to the drama as the
audience can hear the tiles falling off the rooftop whilst
Bond pursues the henchman In addition to the chatter of
the potential vicitms in the streets below, emphasizing the
potential danger in the scene

14. SOUND CONT.
• As Bond enters the street there are diegetic sounds of
middle eastern music played to signal the location of the
scene to the audience
• The diegetic sounds of shouts and screams from the
citizens in the marketplace enhance the sense of
pandemonium in the street
• The diegetic sound of the drum beat reflects the sound of
a rhythmic heartbeat, signifying the sense of adrenaline
and excitement in the scene

15. SOUND CONT.
The non diegetic sounds signal to the audience the
heightened sense of danger which Bond faces as he races
through the streets
Back in London the sound of computers and technology is
heard to connote the intelligence of the M16 building, and
contrast with the market place of the Middle East
As Bond flies through the air the sound is reduced to
heighten the suspense over whether he will survive the fall,
as he lands the Bond theme sting plays to signify his power
and survival skills

16. EDITING
• Continuity editing is used in the chase sequence to
ensure the audience are hooked into the drama and
engage in the sequence, allowing the scene to move
between various locations smoothly and effectively. This
is demonstrated between the transition between the roof
top chase and train sequence, as the rooftop finished the
train track is introduced in the shot
• Fast paced editing signifies the danger that Bond is in to
the audience, and keeps them on the edge of their seats
wondering what is going to happen next

17. EDITING CONT.
• The cross cutting between Bond and M signify their close
relationship within the narrative and the hierarchy
between the characters. This also suggests the mission is
of great importance as they are in direct contact with M16
head quarters signifying it is a matter of national security.
• A mix of subjective and objective filming is cut together to
allow the audience to both feel a part of the action as have
a clear sense of the location and potential threats which
lay ahead for the hero

18. MISE-EN-SCENE
• Costume- Bond wears a suit throughout the scene,
signifying his status as a character, the suit suggests
Bond is of a higher social status and therefore the best in
his field. This also adds to the sex appeal of the character,
he is constructed as a character that the audience can
both lust after, and aspire to (depending on their sexual
preference)
• The high level of danger in the highly populated areas
signifies that Bond has experience of these situations and
can handle himself in these situations
• Bond’s lack of fear is signified through his facial
expressions and body language meeting the conventions
of heroes within this genre

19. MISE-EN-SCENE CONT.
• The colour grading of the scenes within the clip are used
to signify the two contrasting locations of the UK and the
Middle East, London has a blue hue with Istanbul having a
contrasting gold hue signifying the two very different
locations
• Various locations are used to ensure the audience stay
engaged in the high adrenaline action of the chase scene,
these locations have visual contrasts from the bird’s eye
view of the roof tops to the close up confined locations of
the winding market streets. The contrasting locations also
reflect the binary oppositions of good versus evil

20. CAMERA WORK
• Large amount of camera shots used in this sequence to
visually engage the audience in the chase sequence
• Generally when Bond is in a shot he is filmed with a slight
low angle to signify his power and importance
• In contrast the villain tends to be shot with a slight high
angle to signify his lower status in the scene
• An establishing aerial shot is used to set the location of
the Grand Bazaar to the audience to inform them of the
high population of the area and the potential victims
• The tracking shots of the motorbike chase allow the
audience to feel a part of the chase sequence and engage
in the action

21. CAMERA WORK CONT.
• Point of view shots from Bond are used to position the
audience with the hero and signal his importance and
create a link between them, thus further vilifying the
henchman
• Close up shots are used to capture the intensity of the
emotions on the characters’ faces (both Moneypenny and
Bond) this signifies their drive and determinism to capture
the villain and their lack of fear in the situation, thus
representing them as strong powerful characters
• The audience are positioned in the Jeep with Moneypenny
signifying she is a figure of importance and connects her
Bond’s mission

22. QUESTION 3
Discuss the various representations on offer in this extract.
You should refer to:
Age
Gender
Race and nationality
The British security force
Turkey and the Middle East (Istanbul)
(20 Marks)
Here you need to be deconstructing the text and
discussing the signifiers and symbolic codes.
It is key to remember reinforcement of stereotypes and
the use of counter stereotypes

23. A*/A GRADE
These answers may offer a sophisticated discussion of
stereotyping of one group, or explore effectively the
representation of a range of social groups. At the top of this
level answers may show some understanding of ideologies and/or
values.
Level 4 (16–20 marks)
Shows thorough understanding of appropriate representation
issues
Discusses a range of representation issues in the extract, or
discusses one or more issues in depth
Offers a range of textual evidence from the extract that
exemplifies these issues
Ideas expressed clearly and fluently in well structured sentences
with few, if any, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

24. C GRADE
These answers have a clear understanding of stereotyping
in a developed response.
Level 3 (12–15 marks)
Clearly identifies at least one representation issue in the extract
Shows sound understanding of appropriate representation issues
– accurate use of the term ‘stereotyping’
Offers textual evidence from the extract that exemplifies these
issues
Ideas expressed with some clarity and fluency; errors of spelling,
punctuation and grammar do not obscure meaning.

25. REPRESENTATION
• Stereotypical representation of violence as a
primarily male activity
• Stereotypical male hero role
• Females represented as being incapable of defeating
the ‘villain’- Moneypenny missing the shot and
shooting Bond at the end of the scene
• Age signifying wisdom- M being the voice of
authority in London
• Male protagonist’s actions connote both his lack of
fear and his isolation from society suggesting he
lives for his job

26. STEREOTYPES
• British security force represented as being emotionless
with M instructing Moneypenny to take the shot at the end
even though Bond might potentially be taken out- signifies
the British ‘stiff upper lip’
• Britain represented as a cold grey location, with rain
swept London contrasted with the dusty heat of Istanbul
by cross cutting location scenes
• The Middle East is represented as exotic and different to
the West, with the potential threat of terrorism linked with
the location of the chase sequence. Britain linked with
connotations of good and the East linked with
connotations of threat and danger

27. COUNTER STEREOTYPES
• Counter stereotypical female engaged in violent
combat – Moneypenny is represented as a
strong female character with a pragmatic
reaction to the chaos around her
• Female in a position of authority over the male
hero – M giving instructions from London M16
• The male hero being shot at the end of the scene
signifying he might not be indestructible after all