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Narrative

  1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.  - The example I'm using is shrek.  Equilibrium: Shrek lives peacefully alone in his swamp. Disequilibrium: Fairytale creatures arrive and disturb his home, so he goes on a journey. New equilibrium: Shrek saves Fiona and they end up together, creating a new sense of balance. 2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot. click here for clip Setting: The opening shows a mysterious laboratory, creating a sense of danger and mystery. Character: The scientists are presented as serious and secretive, suggesting they are involved in something unusual. Plot: The opening shows someone trying to escape from an unknown threat, makin...
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MIGRAIN: index so far

1) Introduction to Media: 10 questions 2) Media consumption audit 3) Semiotics blog tasks 4) Language: Reading an image - media codes 5) Reception theory - advert analysis and factsheet 6) Structuralism: Factsheet questions and film trailer analysis 7) Genre: Factsheets and genre study questions 8) Narrative: Factsheet questions
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Genre blog task

  Task 1: Genre factsheets 1) What example is provided of why visual iconographies are so important? Visual iconographies are important because they allow an audience to instantly recognize and categorize a media text's genre , even when acting alone or when combined with other media choices .e.g star wars and star trek.  2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre? - Soap Operas: Serious tone. The boss is a cruel villain . The story is slow and never-ending , tangled up with lots of other plots. - Sit-coms: Funny tone. The boss is foolish . The entire problem is usually fixed in 30 minutes . -Action Films: Won't happen . Heroes have massive threats to fight, so a bad boss is just a minor annoyance . 3) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell? • Period or Country • Director / Star • Technical Process • Style • Series • Audience   4) List three ways genre is used by audiences. 1) They use thei...
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Structuralism blog post

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 Part 1: Media Factsheet reading Use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive to find Factsheet #90 Applying Structuralism and Post-Structuralism . Read the Factsheet and answer the following questions: 1) What is the definition of structuralism provided by the Factsheet?  Structuralism is a theoretical perspective that emphasises the existence of universal structures underlying the surface differences and assumed randomness of various cultures, stories and media texts. 2) What are binary oppositions and why are they important? Binary oppositions are pairs of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning .  3) How do genre and auteur theory link to structuralism?  Genre and auteur theory link to structuralism because they both look for underlying systems, rules, and patterns that dictate how media texts create meaning, rather than viewing a film or text as completely unique . 4) Look at page 4 of the factsheet. What is post-structuralism? Post-structurali...
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Reception Theory

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  1) What are the preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings for the RBK 50 Cent advert? Perferred- overcoming hardship,resilience and unapolagetic self-belief. Negotiated- A famous individual endorsing a mainstream sportswear brand.  Oppostional- Glorification of street crime.  2) What are the preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings for the advert of your own choice that you analysed for last week's work? Preferred- The audience completely accepts the ad's message, believing that Heinz ketchup is a wholesome, farm-fresh product made directly from natural tomatoes. Negotiated- The audience likes the clever ad and agrees Heinz uses real tomatoes, but they still recognize it is a processed factory sauce high in sugar. Oppositional- The audience completely rejects the ad as corporate greenwashing, arguing that the imagery is a deceptive attempt to hide unhealthy preservatives and sugar. 1) Complete Activity 1 on page 2 of the factsheet. Choose a media text you h...
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Media codes - reading an image

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  Technical codes: Camera- shot of 50 cent- closeup(recognisable figure/star). Lighting- l ow-key lighting - dark, omnious, mystery. Editing- text desing and composition (text overlay).  Written or verbal codes: Slogan-unique, serif font (traditional, authority) link to 50 cent. Anchorage (audience's focus) text is written in first person persective. Brands's name- recognition. Symbolic or non-verbal codes:  Colour scheme- monochrome (black and white- muted and dull). Fingerprints- idea of crime, facial expressions- serious , direct address, links to lifestyle?. O's in the text represent bullet holes - gang violence, been shot in past.  Narrative codes: Fingerprints- enigma code - what do they represent to the advert or 50 cent?.  Technical codes:  Uses high-key lighting to highlight the product they are displaying. The prodcut is central to show the main feauture of the advert. The red background dispalys the freshness of the product. Written or verbal co...
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Media Magazine theory drop - Semiotics

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Part 1: English by Tarun Thind analysis 1) What meanings are the audience encouraged to take about the two main characters from the opening of the film? The opening of the film encourage the audience to figure out the two main characters through the view of urban youth stereotypes, framing them as dangerous threats and vulnerable victims simultaniously.  2) How does the end of the film emphasise de Saussure’s belief that signs are polysemic – open to interpretation or more than one meaning?  The ending of the film flips the meaning of the chracters silence. The silence goes from a intimidation tactic to a sign of vulnerability. This proves that media images are always open to multiple interpretations.    Part 2: Media Magazine theory drop - Semiotics 1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign? Signifier-The physical form of sign that can be seen, such as a written word, spoken sound or a image.  Signified-The mental concept...
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