This document provides analysis tasks for three scenes from the film "Knocked Up". The tasks require analyzing verbal, non-verbal and technical codes that establish characters, representations, and narrative elements. For the first scene, codes are identified that show Alison's superiority over Ben through her facial expressions in a high angle shot and Ben's carefree lifestyle through his dialogue in another high angle shot. Technical codes are also noted that construct Ben as the "new man" and confirm his status as a "loveable loser". Similar analysis is provided for two additional scenes regarding establishing Ben's immaturity, the central couple's antagonism, generating audience laughter, and conforming to romantic comedy genre tropes about tears and suffering.

1. 1
YOU MUST analyse all 3 scenes and complete the tasks over the following pages.
YOU SHOULD refer to specific examples from all 3 scenes and structure your
analysis using full sentences where possible.
Remember! Media Language Evidence is KEY!
Extension - YOU COULD, using theory (Katz, Maslow, Hartley, Todorov)
consider what impact these examples have on the audience.
‘Knocked Up’
(2007)
Dir. Judd Apatow
“How the scenes..”

2. 2
Alison (Katherine Heigl), according to David Gauntlett (2008), is
“superior to Ben in terms of looks, prospects and everything else”
1) Analyse WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-
scene – Facial Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-
shot; Camera – Shot Types, Angles) establish this ‘superiority’ to the spectator
For example (and this is what you need to focus on for the other tasks)
Non-verbal code of Alisons facial expression
– Connotations?
Verbal code – “No work today!” – shot from
a High angle looking down on Ben –
Connotations?
Extension – Does Ben “live a carefree, hedonistic life” (Claire Mortimer - 2010)

3. 3
2) According to Timothy Corrigan (2012), Ben’s character represents the
“new man” that exists in society – unambitious, lazy and takes little pride In his
appearance.
Analyse WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene –
Facial Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles) establish this “new man” representation:

4. 4
Diegetic verbal code of dialogue “That was brutal”
Fill in the gaps – WHAT is this an example of?
Em __ __ __ u __ a __ i __ n
3) Does this confirm Bens status as the “loveable loser” stereotype so often
represented in this genre? –
EXPLAIN and support your understanding with Application of EVIDENCE:

5. 5
Claire Mortimer (2010) –
‘The generation of laughter is the fundamental narrative dynamic within
any form of comedy’
4) WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene –
Facial Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles) “generate laughter” (Mortimer – 2010) amongst
the audience?

6. 6
1) Ben is represented as “well meaning, but immature” (David Gauntlett - 2008)
WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene – Facial
Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot; Camera –
Shot Types, Angles) establish this “immaturity” OR “well meaning” nature to
the audience?
For example:
“You look very pretty” after his rant about whether he and Vince Vaughan
would “get along”

7. 7
2) “You look very pretty”
Would the audience agree that
“Ben is far from the typical rom-com hero in his looks”
(Claire Mortimer - 2010)?
WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene – Facial
Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot; Camera –
Shot Types, Angles) establish this point of view?

8. 8
3) ‘The central couple are antagonistic to one another’
and
‘The battle of the sexes’ (Claire Mortimer - 2010)
WHERE is this represented in this scene?
YOU MUST support your points of view with Evidence –
Verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene – Facial
Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles)

9. 9
Claire Mortimer (2010) –
‘The generation of laughter is the fundamental narrative dynamic within
any form of comedy’
4) WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene –
Facial Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles) “generate laughter” (Mortimer – 2010) amongst
the audience?

10. 10
1) Alison is faced with the “challenge of dealing with men like this (Ben)”
(David Gauntlett - 2008)
Focus on the Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot; Camera – Shot
Types, Angles) in the opening of this scene –
HOW do they construct the representation of Ben and the “challenge” he poses
to Alison?

11. 11
Extension – HOW would you describe Ben’s reaction to the “news”?

12. 12
Diegetic verbal code of dialogue
2) “What can I help you with today Mr. and Mrs. Stone?”
The romantic comedy genre places an emphasis on “tears”
and
“suffering is often part of the narrative process”
(Tamar Jeffers McDonald - 2007)
In relation to the Diegetic verbal code of dialogue provided and the area
highlighted, HOW does Alisons reaction conform to this point of view?

13. 13
3) The romantic comedy genre places an emphasis on “tears”
and
“suffering is often part of the narrative process”
(Tamar Jeffers McDonald - 2007)
WHERE else is this represented in this scene?
YOU MUST support your points of view with Evidence –
Verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene – Facial
Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles)
Claire Mortimer (2010) –
‘The generation of laughter is the fundamental narrative dynamic within
any form of comedy’
4) WHAT verbal (Sound – Diegetic Dialogue), non-verbal (mise-en-scene –
Facial Expressions) and/or Technical Codes (Editing – shot-reverse-shot;
Camera – Shot Types, Angles) “generate laughter” (Mortimer – 2010) amongst
the audience?