In preparation for question 1 of the MS1 paper it is important that you are able to confidently discuss stimulus material which will be distributed.
In your case it will be print based. Make sure you allow yourself time to plan out your answers.
You will be asked to analyse the
Lets go through the key areas:
Messages are encoded by the producers of the texts and audiences decode these messages.
Different audiences interpret and respond to media texts and not all audiences will take away the same messages.
Media texts are polysemic and contain a range of meanings.
In MS 1 it is important that you can offer connotations and not just meanings.
The main visual codes are:
Costume
This communicates messages about the character or person quickly without the need for a complex explanation. Imagine a new character entering the frame of a crime drama wearing a white coat and plastic gloves, the audience knows that he is from forensics and automatically understands his role.
Facial expression
Another way in which messages are communicated.
Emotions be clearly represented and easily interpreted by the audience.
Colour
can transmit messages and be interpreted when they are a key part of a text's construction.
Even types of fragrances can be suggested in a print based text even though the audience can't smell it.
Ads do not have much time to convey meaning so they use colour codes that will be understood by the audience to maximise time.
Body language or gesture
Non verbal communication can cross language barriers.
The gesture of a featured performer on the front of a music magazine can give clues to the genre of his music.
Graphics
Do not ignore the graphics contained in the text you are given the graphics has significance too.
Graphics convey information about the narrative and the pleasures to be gained from the text.
In a print based text such as a CD cover the typography and stylistic features may give clues to the genre of the music and the style of the performer.
Iconography
Objects settings and backgrounds can be analysed for meaning.
Some objects take on significance beyond their literal meaning.
The denotation of Big Ben is a clock in London but when we see it on the news it signifies tradition and reliability and becomes symbolic.
Certain media texts are recognisable by their iconography which can place them in a particular genre, for example the setting of the lab and the forensic instruments in a crime drama.
In print based texts, this is the design layout and other key features.
Audiences expect to see certain shots such as a mid shot for the news.
Camera shots.
Close ups create emotion and tension when the audience feels involved with the character.
Extreme close ups withold information to create suspense or highlight a particular thing like a hand on a doorknob.
Long shots are udsed where more information is required. Character and surroundings.
Establishing shots advance the narrative by showing where the narrative will take place.
Camera angles
High angle shot of a character will make him seem vulnerable
Low angle will place the character in a position of superiority
Some shots such as a bird's eye view will tell the audience to expect high production values.
Layout and design
This is the way the print text is constructed using colour, font style, and text positioning. These all contribute to the overall style of the publication.
Magazines have a house style and readers recognize this and they expect it to be consistent.
This might be established through the font style on the masthead.
Camera shots
The choice of shot on a print text helps to communicate meaning. A screen shot from a film will give the audience clues to the genre.
A close up of a performer on a music industry website will give clues to about their star persona and attract a fan base.
Lighting also helps in the construction of messages
Post production techniques
Images in the media are manipulated and enhanced digitally for effect. In advertising, eyelashes are extended and skin is made flawless through airbrushing. Models are given an unrealistic appearance of perfection.
Study the two film posters for Winter’s Bone (2010) and Unknown (2011)
1. Analyse the front covers commenting on:
• visual codes
• layout and design
• genre.
In your case it will be print based. Make sure you allow yourself time to plan out your answers.
You will be asked to analyse the
- visual codes,
- technical codes,
- genre,
- language,
- mode of address,
- narrative construction.
Lets go through the key areas:
Visual codes
One of the ways in which media texts transmit meanings is through visual codes.Messages are encoded by the producers of the texts and audiences decode these messages.
Different audiences interpret and respond to media texts and not all audiences will take away the same messages.
Media texts are polysemic and contain a range of meanings.
In MS 1 it is important that you can offer connotations and not just meanings.
The main visual codes are:
Costume
This communicates messages about the character or person quickly without the need for a complex explanation. Imagine a new character entering the frame of a crime drama wearing a white coat and plastic gloves, the audience knows that he is from forensics and automatically understands his role.
Facial expression
Another way in which messages are communicated.
Emotions be clearly represented and easily interpreted by the audience.
Colour
can transmit messages and be interpreted when they are a key part of a text's construction.
Even types of fragrances can be suggested in a print based text even though the audience can't smell it.
Ads do not have much time to convey meaning so they use colour codes that will be understood by the audience to maximise time.
Body language or gesture
Non verbal communication can cross language barriers.
The gesture of a featured performer on the front of a music magazine can give clues to the genre of his music.
Graphics
Do not ignore the graphics contained in the text you are given the graphics has significance too.
Graphics convey information about the narrative and the pleasures to be gained from the text.
In a print based text such as a CD cover the typography and stylistic features may give clues to the genre of the music and the style of the performer.
Iconography
Objects settings and backgrounds can be analysed for meaning.
Some objects take on significance beyond their literal meaning.
The denotation of Big Ben is a clock in London but when we see it on the news it signifies tradition and reliability and becomes symbolic.
Certain media texts are recognisable by their iconography which can place them in a particular genre, for example the setting of the lab and the forensic instruments in a crime drama.
Technical codes
In audio visual texts this is the way the camera shots, angles, and movements are edited together to give meaning to the audience.In print based texts, this is the design layout and other key features.
Audiences expect to see certain shots such as a mid shot for the news.
Camera shots.
Close ups create emotion and tension when the audience feels involved with the character.
Extreme close ups withold information to create suspense or highlight a particular thing like a hand on a doorknob.
Long shots are udsed where more information is required. Character and surroundings.
Establishing shots advance the narrative by showing where the narrative will take place.
Camera angles
High angle shot of a character will make him seem vulnerable
Low angle will place the character in a position of superiority
Some shots such as a bird's eye view will tell the audience to expect high production values.
Layout and design
This is the way the print text is constructed using colour, font style, and text positioning. These all contribute to the overall style of the publication.
Magazines have a house style and readers recognize this and they expect it to be consistent.
This might be established through the font style on the masthead.
Camera shots
The choice of shot on a print text helps to communicate meaning. A screen shot from a film will give the audience clues to the genre.
A close up of a performer on a music industry website will give clues to about their star persona and attract a fan base.
Lighting also helps in the construction of messages
Post production techniques
Images in the media are manipulated and enhanced digitally for effect. In advertising, eyelashes are extended and skin is made flawless through airbrushing. Models are given an unrealistic appearance of perfection.
Genre
A genre is a the type or category of a media product
Each genre has its own set of conventions or repertoire of elements that are recognisable to audiences. They are what place that text in a particular genre.
these key conventions are recognised and understood by audiences by being repeated over a period of time.
Some media are of a hybrid genre and modern audiences are sophisticated enough to recognise this.
repertoire of elements can be broken down into key areas:
Narrative-How the story is told. You can apply Todorov's narrative structure and Propp's character functions to narratives even in print based texts.
Characters-Most genres have a set of recognisable characters that help to establish the genre.
Audiences become familiar with certain types and expect these characters to behave in a certain way. Rebellious teenagers for example. cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston for example are expected to be rom coms.
Iconography and setting- also help to establish the genre, rural or urban settings for instance.
Technical codes- Important in establishing genre
Language
Lexis - this means the actual words used in the text which can pertain to the genre of the text and sometimes only be recognisable by the target audience. Gaming magazines for example will use language that only gamers will recognise.
hyperbole- used to make texts seem new and exciting
Imperative- this suggests a sense of urgency, lose weight! Get a six pack!
Ellipses is used as an enigma code to encourage the audience to buy the magazine for example and read on
Slang (colloquial language)- for example in teenage magazines creates an informal relationship between the text and the reader.
Direct quotes suggest realism and can be used on the cover of magazines for real life stories.
Mode of address
Informal
Formal
Direct
Indirect
Narrative construction
lets look at narrative conventions in print texts:
Task 1:
1. Analyse the front covers commenting on:
• visual codes
• layout and design
• genre.
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