Bowling for Columbine

View and/or listen to a text with a significant aural component – such as a radio podcast, a film or an radio interview – and write an analysis of that text which answers the following question: How has this text introduced you to some understanding of the Elective from Module C that you will be studying in Term 3?
In Michael Moore’s film Bowling for Columbine, each element of production, from the documentary style medium, to the choice of music, audio-visual techniques and selection of interview subjects, combine to create a representation of Moore’s perspective of the Gun related violence in America. Within the film there are many conflicting perspectives, which are in turn represented according to the beliefs and personal bias of the composer, Moore.   The way Moore has created the film is a representation which shapes meaning of the events which occurred and influence the responses of the audiences which see the film.   From this film, we learn that representation is subjective, dependent on the audience and composer; that in the event of conflicting perspectives we must discover why and how they conflict, and to always remember the role of the composer in shaping meaning in representations.
Representation is subjective and therefore depends on individual’s perspective- especially the composer. The different attitudes displayed between Charlton Heston the National Rifle Association president, and Jimmie Hughes the Principal of Buell Elementary, concerning the school shooting of a first grader is an example of conflicting perspectives within the film. The event is introduced to the audience when the original recording of a 911 call made by the victims teacher is played with subtitles over a blank black screen. This audio technique used by Moore is designed to emotionally shock the audience. By leaving the screen black, full attention is directed the high emotion and desperate tone imbued in the teachers voice as she cries “Please lord! Please lord! Please!” This...