Using Media Language

Genre Deconstructing the text Deconstructing the text Genre genre signifiersrepertoire of elements Genre genre signifiersrepertoire of elements Codes and conventions Codes and conventions Technical codes:camera shot angle editing transitions SFX CGI Technical codes:camera shot angle editing transitions SFX CGI Symbolic codes:body language, gesture, setting, dress, colour, composition Symbolic codes:body language, gesture, setting, dress, colour, composition Sound codes:music, dialogue, sound effects Sound codes:music, dialogue, sound effects Narrative codes:storyline, plot, structure, characters Narrative codes:storyline, plot, structure, characters Representations:age, gender, ethnicity, nation stereotyping Representations:age, gender, ethnicity, nation stereotyping

CODES AND CONVENTIONS Camera shot Camera shot Close up, Medium shot, Long shot ECU, MCU, MLS, ELS or BIG CLOSE UP, BIG LONG SHOT Camera angle Camera angle High, low, eyelevel High, low, eyelevel Two shot Two shot Over the shoulder Over the shoulder Tilted frame Tilted frame Camera movements Camera movements Pan, tilt, tracking shot, dolly Pan, tilt, tracking shot, dolly Lighting Lighting High key / low key High key / low key Hard and soft Hard and soft Editing Editing Cutting, shot / reverse shot Cutting, shot / reverse shot Jump cut, cutaway Jump cut, cutaway Cross cutting Cross cutting Transitions, fades, wipes, dissolves Transitions, fades, wipes, dissolves Sound codes Sound codes Music: genre, motif, instruments Music: genre, motif, instruments Diegetic / nondiegetic sound Diegetic / nondiegetic sound Ambient sound Ambient sound Dialogue: narration, speech Dialogue: narration, speech

Symbolic codes Symbolic codes are hugely significant. Candidates should identify the range of symbolic codes and explain why they have been used by the makers of the text. Candidates should use the word SIGNIFY or CONNOTE when describing symbolic codes. Symbolic codes are hugely significant. Candidates should identify the range of symbolic codes and explain why they have been used by the makers of the text. Candidates should use the word SIGNIFY or CONNOTE when describing symbolic codes. Body language Body language Gesture Gesture Dress Dress Setting Setting Object Object Composition: rule of thirds, perspective Composition: rule of thirds, perspective Colour Colour Typographic codes: fonts, plain, bold, italic, decorative, serif / sans serif Typographic codes: fonts, plain, bold, italic, decorative, serif / sans serif Mise en scene - a useful word here which often describes many symbolic codes Mise en scene - a useful word here which often describes many symbolic codes Denotation and connotation Denotation and connotation Signifiers Signifiers

Narrative Codes : Plot, storyline, structure, character Plot, storyline Plot, storyline Fabula, sychuzet Fabula, sychuzet Beginning, middle, end Beginning, middle, end Tension, closure, resolution Tension, closure, resolution Harmony, dis-equilibrium, equilibrium Harmony, dis-equilibrium, equilibrium Open narratives / closed narratives Open narratives / closed narratives Linear, multi-strand, chronological Linear, multi-strand, chronological Flashback Flashback Time condensing, time expansion Time condensing, time expansion Dramatic irony Dramatic irony Dual narrative / triple narrative Dual narrative / triple narrative Binary oppositions Binary oppositions Enigma and action codes Enigma and action codes Characters Characters Protagonist / antagonist Protagonist / antagonist Propp Propp Hero Hero Villain Villain Princess Princess Messenger Messenger Rescuer Rescuer Donor Donor Anti hero Anti hero Femme fatale Femme fatale

Representations Key areas: age, gender, ethnicity, nation Key areas: age, gender, ethnicity, nation Positive / negative Positive / negative Stereotyping Stereotyping Categorisation Categorisation Repetition Repetition Evaluation Evaluation Both the areas for study for 2005 address key areas of representation and stereotyping. Candidates should be well prepared to look out for these issues and work which addresses issues of providing alternatives to these stereotypes will be highly rewarded. Both the areas for study for 2005 address key areas of representation and stereotyping. Candidates should be well prepared to look out for these issues and work which addresses issues of providing alternatives to these stereotypes will be highly rewarded. This applies equally to coursework both pre-production and production work and to the pre-production tasks on the examination paper. This applies equally to coursework both pre-production and production work and to the pre-production tasks on the examination paper.

Intertextuality Candidates should address the text in the examination by asking Candidates should address the text in the examination by asking Does it remind them of any other texts they have seen in photography, film, television etc? Does it remind them of any other texts they have seen in photography, film, television etc? How does it remind them of the text? How does it remind them of the text? Genre, music, style, camera shots, narrative etc. Genre, music, style, camera shots, narrative etc. For teaching strategies choose texts for study which have intertextual references. For teaching strategies choose texts for study which have intertextual references.

Audiences Everyday uses and pleasures Everyday uses and pleasures Strategies of audience appeal and interpretations Strategies of audience appeal and interpretations Target audiences Target audiences Reception and influence Reception and influence