Media Studies

Media Language The magazine front cover and specified content should be analysed in terms of the composition of the images, positioning, layout, typography, language and mode of address. This will then provide detailed evidence for application of the other theoretical frameworks. Oh Comely uses a deliberately alternative design to other magazines aimed at young women and this is evident from the front cover and throughout the magazine. Semiotics: how images signify cultural meanings Short hair signifies gender neutral army looking jacket signifies strength Narrative and Genre The genre conventions of the magazine cover will need to be studied. While narrative may be more familiar to students as an approach to apply to moving image forms, it can also be very productively applied to print media as a way of examining audience targeting, positioning and interpretation. The front cover creates a narrative about character and lifestyle in order to attract an audience. Oh Co...

Media Language The magazine front cover and specified content should be analysed in terms  of the composition of the images, positioning, layout, typography, language and mode of address. This will then provide detailed evidence for application of the other theoretical frameworks. Semiotics: how images signify cultural meanings Blue signify boys muscles signify masculine strength Narrative and Genre The genre conventions of the magazine cover will need to be studied. While narrative may be more familiar to students as an approach to apply to moving image forms, it can also be very productively applied to print media as a way of examining audience targeting, positioning and interpretation. The front cover creates a narrative about character and lifestyle in order to attract an audience. Cover stories create enigma and anticipation for the reader. Binary oppositions by Strauss is used to drive a narrative forward. Todorov's stages of narrative is present in Men...

Media Language Codes and conventions are used in this video game to influence meaning.  Due to developing technologies Sims Freeplay is able to give consumers constant updates and now used on the mobile and other devices instead of just computer consoles. As a life simulation game Sims Freeplay includes many normative codes and values. They include features such as being married to have a child and also being able to own a house as a teen. The application of a semiotic approach will aid the analysis of the way in which the website creates a narrative about the world its constructing. The genre convention of life simulation can be identified and discussed in relation to other CSP. The narrative is driven through various quests in which the gamer would have to complete throughout the life. There are also a completion of having a successful life which could motivate the gamer to carry on playing. Narrative in context of online material can refer to the way that the images and...

Media Language A semiotic analysis of the visual style inevitably engages with the study of genre and narrative with the mise-en-scene of the game - apparent in the gameplay and the cover art work - referencing sci-fi, fantasy and action adventure as well as the conventions of different types of gameplay. Mise-en-scene analysis: Costume: Protagonist is sexualised as she is not fully dressed Colour: Consists a lot of green which suggests adventure Semiotics: how images convey cultural meanings Green signifies adventure gun signifies action pyramid signifies puzzles Narrative  Gameplay works through narrative codes to construct narratives of adventure and enigma for the character. Video game's art work conforms to particular styles of fantasy and hyper realism. Binary oppositions are used to show conflict and give the audience clues. The video game allows participation in and development of narrative Todorov theory shows the narrative of Tomb Raider. Genr...

Media Language The semiotic analysis of the visual style is indivisible from the study of genre and narrative with the mise-en-scene of the game - apparent in the gameplay and the cover art work - referencing sci-fi, action adventure as well as the conventions of different types of game play. Mise-en-scene analysis: Costume: big fully covered metal armour/suit making it gender neutral.  Colour: silver title represents sci-fi Semiotics: how images signify cultural meanings metallic font signifies advanced technology aliens signify adventure Narrative The trailer constructs narratives of transformation and change in the central character of Samus Aran. Metroid conforms to particular styles of fantasy and hyper realism which can be linked to narrative and audience. Binary oppositions is used in Metroid such as light vs dark and black vs colour. This shows that there may be some conflict with the main protagonist. Todorov could be applied to Metroid. Genre ...

Media Language The Voice uses codes and conventions to influence meaning. They value black people and like to make them feel superior and strong and independent. They bring racist issues and discrimination problems to the light to relate to their specific audience. They use images of mainly black people to get their views and values across and to attract their target audience. They also have quite a colourful site to show support for 'coloured' people and present it in a much more positive term. The images used are often not photoshopped and are natural which gives a real view of people which could better relate to their audience. The Voice uses semiotics to create a narrative of constructing the world. By presenting content of mainly black people suggests that the world is becoming more diverse and it is not based on only white people in the media. Black signifies diversity. Colour signifies race and mainly black people. The title The Voice signifies the voice they giv...

Media Language The conventions of this media product is used to influence meaning. They use their conventions to present their values of the world and what they find important such as politics and the wellbeing of their audience. Even though it might conjure up images of ultra-feminised vapidity but it has become highly politicised and socially engaged. Teen Vogue is also a large part of the fashion industry. Their content and advertising is designed to create a strong desire in their audience for products featured. The logo builds on the heritage of Vogue magazine but the rest of the page signifies how different the product is from the print-based parent title.  In the menu bar, Teen Vogue covers a large variety of topics which attract a large audience. Headings are presented in sans-serif typeface making it feel more stylised, youthful and modern. It also gives them a certain gravitas and authority. The choice of red, black and grey accenting on the page is stylish and not...

Media Language The use of noir visual style, conventions of the police procedural and multiple narrative strands, The Killing provides a rich area of study for media language, which would form the foundation for work on the other theoretical frameworks. Analysis Should Include Mise-en-scene analysis Costume: the detective wears a jumper and she is fully covered which may make her appear smarter as she is not sexualised and also dedicated to her work. Light: low lighting for danger. Semiotics: how images signify cultural meanings Not being sexualised signifies independence dark lighting signifies danger surprise party signifies danger/ actual police issues Narrative The Killing uses binary oppositions to drive the narrative forward. The way the binary opposition is resolved may have ideological significance. The oppositions that The Killing uses is good and evil, dark and light/night and day, hero and villain.  Knights theory of prolonging the inevitable c...

Media Language No Offence is a mainstream television series in which the codes and conventions of the police procedural crime drama are intertwined with aspects of social realism. Detailed analysis of this media form including the process through which media language develops as genre will provide students with an opportunity to understand and reflect on the dynamic nature of genre. Analysis Includes: Mise-en-scene analysis: Costume: Dinah is seen first wearing pink which demonstrates that she is quite girly and probably has other stereotypical feminine features. Then in the second scene she is dressed very formal which presents her as a more serious person. After the first scene all the women are covered up and are therefore respected. Lighting: Often in this series when there is a bad situation it is usually at night. The chase scene was filmed late with the stereotype that everything bad happens at night. The scene where they find the girl in the river is also filmed in t...