1.
OZARK, as a genre, is best described as a:
Correct Answer
B. Crime drama
Explanation
OZARK is best described as a crime drama because it revolves around the story of a financial planner who is forced to relocate his family to the Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme goes wrong. The show primarily focuses on the criminal activities and the consequences faced by the characters involved in the illegal operations. While it does contain elements of drama and thriller, the central theme of crime and its impact on the characters' lives makes it fittingly categorized as a crime drama.
2.
A motif is:
Correct Answer
D. A prop or setting that is repeated throughout the film, with symbolic and significant meaning
Explanation
A motif in a film refers to a prop or setting that is repeated multiple times, carrying a symbolic and significant meaning. It helps to enhance the overall theme or message of the film by creating a visual or thematic pattern. The repetition of the motif allows the audience to make connections and interpret its significance throughout the narrative, deepening their understanding of the story and its underlying themes.
3.
In VCE Media, the study of Narrative & Ideology:
Correct Answer
C. Explores how narratives are organise, structured and engage audiences AND how these narratives reflect ideologies present in a society
Explanation
The correct answer for this question is "explores how narratives are organised, structured and engage audiences AND how these narratives reflect ideologies present in a society." This answer accurately describes the focus of the study of Narrative & Ideology in VCE Media. It emphasizes the analysis of narrative techniques and their impact on audience engagement, as well as the examination of how these narratives reflect the ideologies prevalent in a society.
4.
Gone Girl, as a genre, could be categorized as:
Correct Answer
C. Psychological Thriller
Explanation
Gone Girl can be categorized as a psychological thriller because it focuses on the psychological aspects of the characters and their actions. The story revolves around a husband and wife, and the disappearance of the wife. Throughout the book, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, manipulation, and psychological mind games. The plot is driven by the complex and twisted psychology of the characters, making it a perfect fit for the psychological thriller genre.
5.
The name of the main character in the children's books Amy's parents authored is __________ _______.
Correct Answer
Amazing Amy
amazing amy
amazing Amy
Explanation
The correct answer is "Amazing Amy, amazing amy, amazing Amy". The name of the main character in the children's books that Amy's parents authored is "Amazing Amy". The answer includes different capitalization options for the name, as it is possible that the name could be written in different ways in the books.
6.
The non-diegetic sound in the Woodshed reveal scene can be described as:
Correct Answer
B. Pulsating, relentless ticking, fragmented, unsettling industrial soundtrack
Explanation
The non-diegetic sound in the Woodshed reveal scene is described as a pulsating, relentless ticking, fragmented, unsettling industrial soundtrack. This means that the sound is characterized by a rhythmic ticking that is persistent and intense, with a fragmented and unsettling quality. The use of industrial elements adds to the overall unsettling atmosphere of the scene.
7.
Non diegetic sound is best described as:
Correct Answer
D. Sound that exist outside the ‘world’ of the narrative, such as music overlay.
Explanation
Non-diegetic sound refers to any sound that exists outside the narrative world of a film or any other form of media. This includes music overlay, background music, voice-over narration, or any other sound that the characters within the story cannot hear. It serves to enhance the storytelling and create a specific mood or atmosphere for the audience, but it is not heard by the characters themselves.
8.
Audiences are informed of Nick and Amy's first meeting in the form of a:
Correct Answer
B. Flashback
Explanation
The correct answer is flashback. A flashback is a narrative technique used to depict events that occurred in the past. In this case, the audiences are informed about Nick and Amy's first meeting through a flashback, which means that the story temporarily goes back in time to show this particular event. This technique helps provide background information and context to the story, allowing the audiences to understand the characters and their relationship better.
9.
In the opening sequence, audiences see Nick arriving at work with the game Mastermind under his arm. This prop is most likely suggestive of:
Correct Answer
B. Nick's involvement in Amy's disappearance and is a direct reference to the Psychological Thriller Genre itself. Characters in a psychological thriller are not reliant on pHysical strength but their mental resources, usually by battling wits with a formidable opponent
Explanation
The prop of Nick carrying the game Mastermind suggests his involvement in Amy's disappearance and is a direct reference to the Psychological Thriller Genre. In psychological thrillers, characters rely on their mental resources rather than physical strength, often engaging in battles of wits with formidable opponents. This prop symbolizes Nick's role as a player in the intricate mind games and psychological manipulation that are characteristic of the genre.
10.
Some conventions of the psychological thriller are (there is more than one correct response)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Flashback/s
B. Isolated settings
C. Audiences recognizes the ordinariness of familiar scenes – it’s their own mundane world.
D. Urban settings
E. Low key lighting
Explanation
Psychological thrillers often incorporate flashbacks to provide insight into the characters' past experiences or traumas. Isolated settings create a sense of confinement and vulnerability, heightening the tension and suspense. By presenting familiar scenes from everyday life, the audience can relate to the story and feel a sense of unease as their own mundane world becomes a potential source of danger. Urban settings can contribute to a feeling of anonymity and unpredictability. Low key lighting is often used to create shadows and a sense of mystery, adding to the suspenseful atmosphere. While not always present, a bar scene can serve as a common location for characters to interact and reveal important information.
11.
Two motifs in Gone Girl are: Amy's pink pen & the kitchen setting.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Kitchen: we see Amy in the kitchen many times throughout the film:
* "bleed and clean" scene " ahead wound kinda bleed" Amy's reveal
* Amy befriends an "idiot"
* final sequence, Amy makes pancakes
Pink pen:
Amy's reveal: Amy discards of the pink, pen, tossing it out the window, rejecting stereotypes & the ideology of modern feminists/ that they can "reclaim pink"
Seen also as Amy pens the "Nick and Amy story", her masterminding of revenge shows a desire to hold power
12.
Amy's dialogue: ‘this man of mine may _____ me.’
Correct Answer
kill
Explanation
Amy is expressing concern or fear about her partner's potential actions towards her. She is saying that her partner may "kill" her, implying that she feels threatened or in danger. This suggests a potentially abusive or dangerous relationship dynamic.
13.
Amy could be described as an _________________ narrator.
Correct Answer
unreliable
Explanation
Amy could be described as an unreliable narrator because she may not always provide accurate or trustworthy information. She could have a biased perspective, intentionally deceive the reader, or have a flawed memory. This means that the reader cannot fully trust or rely on Amy's narration to accurately depict events or characters in the story.
14.
A distinguishing characteristic of a psychological thriller is a marked emphasis on the mental states of its characters: their perceptions, thoughts, distortions, and general struggle to grasp reality.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Psychological thrillers are known for their focus on the mental states of characters. These types of films or books often delve deep into the characters' perceptions, thoughts, and struggles to understand what is real. This emphasis on the psychological aspect sets psychological thrillers apart from other genres, making the statement true.
15.
Nick, (stroking his wife's hair): "When I think of my wife, I always think of her head. I picture _____________ her lovely skull, ______________ her brains, trying to get answers. The primal questions of a marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other? "
Correct Answer
cracking unspooling
Explanation
This dialogue establishes the theme of marriage as "hard," difficult, challenging, a disenchantment of marriage. Nick "always" thinking of the "head" is somewhat unsettling, and is strange because it is opposite to the romantic notion of the lover's gaze. The myth of coupledom is challenged, marriage as oppressive and dysfunctional to the extreme. “Gone Girl” is fascinating because it gets at what is unsettling about coupledom: our suspicion that, in some fundamental sense, it necessarily entails victimization. Nick's next comment regarding his "cracking" Amy's "lovely skull" is alarming as we’re more aware than ever of the prevalence of hidden domestic abuse; we’re familiar with the widespread unfairness of the economic arrangements between men and women. The narrative suggests that to be in a couple, is to be in a power relationship. And in power relationships, there are always victims and aggressors. Perhaps even more unsettling to audiences is the title "Gone Girl," which succeeds the close up opening shot of Amy's beautiful face and poignant yet uncertain gaze, the title inferring a girl has disappeared, leaving the audience to ask is this the girl/woman who is missing, and is the husband responsible for her disappearance? More so, has she met with a violent end, all aspects are conventional of the psychological thriller, the foreshadowing of the battle of wits within the marriage leading into the story of power play, who will out play the other?
16.
The opening sequences of Gone Girl establishes:
Correct Answer(s)
A. The disappearance of a girl
B. A marriage in trouble
C. Nick could be capable of his harming his wife
D. The town is suffering financially, businesses have closed, houses have been reduced post Global Financial Crisis due to the sub prime mortgage crisis
Explanation
The opening sequences of Gone Girl establish multiple plot points and themes. Firstly, the disappearance of a girl sets the central mystery of the story. Secondly, it introduces a marriage in trouble, suggesting that there are issues within the relationship. Thirdly, it hints at the possibility that Nick, the husband, could be capable of harming his wife, creating suspicion and intrigue. Additionally, the portrayal of the town suffering financially, with closed businesses and reduced houses, highlights the impact of the Global Financial Crisis and adds a backdrop of economic struggle. Lastly, the mention of Margo's affair with her brother adds another layer of complexity to the story.
17.
Radiohead's "Decks Dark" soundtrack is an example of what type of sound, diegetic OR non-diegetic?
Correct Answer(s)
non-diegetic sound
non diegetic
Explanation
The given correct answer is non-diegetic sound. In the context of film or music, diegetic sound refers to sounds that are part of the story or scene, such as dialogue or sounds from within the scene. Non-diegetic sound, on the other hand, refers to sounds that are added to enhance the mood or atmosphere of a scene, but are not actually part of the story or scene itself. In the case of Radiohead's "Decks Dark" soundtrack, it would be considered non-diegetic sound as it is not part of the narrative or events within the song itself.
18.
Rosamund Pike's physical characteristics contribute to her bringing Amy to life on-screen. Such as her:
Correct Answer
B. Rosamund has a classic, sensual and pristine appearance and is likened to the iconic and conventional blond beauty seen in, for example, Hitchcock films.
Explanation
Pike’s ability to transition from the soft, beautiful, intelligent wife, to the monster within showcases genre of the fairytale gone wrong theme that is presented in an ironic tale of marital dysfunction and disharmony. Pike is as effectively edgy as the scorned lover as she is the fun cool girl, meanwhile her tranquil, sensual beauty and quiet elegance resonates with filmgoers as Amy represents “a creepy, confused and troubling part of us”.
19.
A convention of the crime drama is:
Correct Answer
A. Mise en scene: Title alludes to setting (OZARK/ the lakes of the OZARKS)
Explanation
The correct answer is "Mise en scene: Title alludes to setting (OZARK/ the lakes of the OZARKS)". In crime dramas, it is a common convention for the title to hint at the setting of the story. In this case, the title "OZARK" directly refers to the location where the events take place, which is the lakes of the Ozarks. This convention helps create a sense of atmosphere and sets the tone for the crime drama.
20.
In terms of editing, the Woodshed reveal scene (there are 3 correct and 1 incorrect responses)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Juxtapositions two scenes, cutting from Nick's search for Amy's clue and the detectives "search for a body"
C. Is also described as parallel editing, and leading to a final reveal, that Nick has been set up and simultaneously that Detective Boney has discovered the fake diary Amy has planted. Combined, audiences understand that it will be challenging for Nick to avoid jail, or worse, the death penalty for Amy's disappearance.
D. Has some 70 cuts across 3 minutes of screen time ( what would be perhaps half hour in real time)
Explanation
The Woodshed reveal scene in the film uses the technique of juxtaposition, cutting between Nick's search for Amy's clue and the detectives' search for a body. This creates tension and suspense as it leads to a final reveal that Nick has been set up and Detective Boney has discovered the fake diary planted by Amy. The scene is also an example of parallel editing, where multiple storylines are shown simultaneously. With around 70 cuts in just 3 minutes of screen time, the fast-paced editing intensifies the urgency and challenges that Nick faces in avoiding jail or the death penalty for Amy's disappearance.
21.
The scene where Charlotte and Wendy embrace is a tender moment that is constructed through the following selections:
Correct Answer(s)
A. Use of slow camera zoom
C. Use of a simple edit, three shots cut together, a simple but engaging edit that has few cuts, but combined with slow camera movement, invites us in to the tender moment of deep connection
D. Option 4
Explanation
The correct answer is the use of slow camera zoom, the use of a simple edit with three shots cut together, and option 4. These selections contribute to the construction of a tender moment between Charlotte and Wendy. The slow camera zoom creates a sense of intimacy and draws the audience closer to the characters. The simple edit with three shots cut together allows for a seamless flow of the scene, enhancing the emotional impact. Option 4, which includes the increasing pitch of orchestral strings and the louder non-diegetic sound, adds to the emotive atmosphere and emphasizes the deep connection between the characters.