Semiotics- this is a study of a system that will allow us to deconstruct media texts to understand how meaning is being created.
Signs are used to connote something, for example, the colour red may be used to connote either the characters anger or love for another character. Or a prop may be used to connote a certain social status, for example in an episode of outnumbered, a half used bottle of olive oil may connote they are a working class family who work together and cook for each other.
Key terms-
signifier- the object itself
signified- what the object is representing
denotation- the literal meaning of a sign (what it is)
connotation- the interpreted meaning of the sign(s)
iconic- those which work through resemblance (photographs)
symbolic-those which are learned (arbitrary signs such as words)
indexical- those which work through a link (smoke links with fire)
A code is put together with many little signs, which are decoded or interpreted by the audience.
media texts shows not the truth but an interpretation of the truth.
signs are polysemic- which refers to the capacity of all signs to be "many signs"
Sunday 13 October 2013
Friday 11 October 2013
Mass audience are still passive recipients of media texts?- do you agree?
Definition of Passive- Unconsciously taking on a message.
The argument is that, do we as an audience take on messages the media gives out without realizing?
For example, the image we have of an 'ideal' man and woman, does it come from media text?
Its how certain images are represented, a woman is stereotypicaly represented as a woman with a big chest, small waist and big hips. Therefore its perceived that the most beautiful type of woman is one that looks like that. However, if the media presented the 'perfect' woman as one who is typically curvy, and we as an audience saw it regularly, would we start to believe that body shape is 'fit'?
The same goes for the male figure. Its perceived that a man with the abs and muscles is the fittest guy! However, does this make men that don't have that specific look, does that make them ugly?
Through this theory we as an audience become a passive audience and see this as the norm, creating positive and negative.
Looking at this argument I do agree with this term to a certain degree. My reasoning for this is that, as an audience, community and world we have all come up with a certain stereotype. As i mentioned before about the typical gender stereotypes. Where do these ideas come from, they must have been influenced upon us without realising- 'Passive audience'
However on the other hand I do believe that there are a variety of things shown in media, but we as an audience chose what we want to follow. For example, fashion and style. There are many different types out there, but you chose as a person what you prefer and what style will influence you. Therefore making you a primary audience- someone who is aware of what they are watching, and what messages they are taking on board.
The argument is that, do we as an audience take on messages the media gives out without realizing?
For example, the image we have of an 'ideal' man and woman, does it come from media text?
Its how certain images are represented, a woman is stereotypicaly represented as a woman with a big chest, small waist and big hips. Therefore its perceived that the most beautiful type of woman is one that looks like that. However, if the media presented the 'perfect' woman as one who is typically curvy, and we as an audience saw it regularly, would we start to believe that body shape is 'fit'?
The same goes for the male figure. Its perceived that a man with the abs and muscles is the fittest guy! However, does this make men that don't have that specific look, does that make them ugly?
Through this theory we as an audience become a passive audience and see this as the norm, creating positive and negative.
Looking at this argument I do agree with this term to a certain degree. My reasoning for this is that, as an audience, community and world we have all come up with a certain stereotype. As i mentioned before about the typical gender stereotypes. Where do these ideas come from, they must have been influenced upon us without realising- 'Passive audience'
However on the other hand I do believe that there are a variety of things shown in media, but we as an audience chose what we want to follow. For example, fashion and style. There are many different types out there, but you chose as a person what you prefer and what style will influence you. Therefore making you a primary audience- someone who is aware of what they are watching, and what messages they are taking on board.
Tuesday 8 October 2013
In preparation for the assessment
In preparation for the assessment we have identified 4 key areas we need to make notes on during the screening of the extract. these are:
-Mise-en-scene
-Sound
-Editing
-Camera
Within these categories, I have learnt that you should link it back to different theories, for example binary opposites and how semiotics are represented.
For example as a practice we analysed an extract from Prim-evil.
The question how is gender represented in this extract?
Key aspects I linked back to were obvious binary opposites used and any subversion between the male and female characters..
An example of this is that in this extract the female character was more dominant compared to the male character. I noticed this through the costume and the actions the character was using.
This was also shown through with the different camera angles that were used. many close ups on the female character to show domination and control, and many shots were used to look down on the male to show less significance and weakness. This is a clear example of subverting.
-Mise-en-scene
-Sound
-Editing
-Camera
Within these categories, I have learnt that you should link it back to different theories, for example binary opposites and how semiotics are represented.
For example as a practice we analysed an extract from Prim-evil.
The question how is gender represented in this extract?
Key aspects I linked back to were obvious binary opposites used and any subversion between the male and female characters..
An example of this is that in this extract the female character was more dominant compared to the male character. I noticed this through the costume and the actions the character was using.
This was also shown through with the different camera angles that were used. many close ups on the female character to show domination and control, and many shots were used to look down on the male to show less significance and weakness. This is a clear example of subverting.
Friday 4 October 2013
Genre (detailed)
With genre there is constant renegotiation between the industry, audience and genre. this is shown through with Steve Neale's Tripartite system:
genre is one way of working through important myths and fears of the audience and this is done by repetition, variation and resolution. It is used to create a reassuring feeling for the audience, and to forget the problems of the real world, for example- threat is usually quashed in a films, gangs are punished and outlaws become civilized. The use of genre helps 'tidy up' the world and just lets one escape problems just for a few hours
genre works like a language because it has different rules and vocab to follow, which brings everything in media together.
genre is one way of working through important myths and fears of the audience and this is done by repetition, variation and resolution. It is used to create a reassuring feeling for the audience, and to forget the problems of the real world, for example- threat is usually quashed in a films, gangs are punished and outlaws become civilized. The use of genre helps 'tidy up' the world and just lets one escape problems just for a few hours
genre works like a language because it has different rules and vocab to follow, which brings everything in media together.
Thursday 3 October 2013
Applying different theories
By looking at my story board using ideas of other narrative theorists, it helps you understand what each type of character is like.
Also by applying a different types of narrative structure to the story, can change the meaning of the story, but not what the story is trying to tell us. This is because there are different ways that each member of the audience interpret the story shown.
Also by applying a different types of narrative structure to the story, can change the meaning of the story, but not what the story is trying to tell us. This is because there are different ways that each member of the audience interpret the story shown.
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