a level media- media language

Structuralism

A body of study or theory that discusses how societies, cultural practices and artefacts (such as media texts) can be analysed as signifying systems or languages (how different media texts are presented to a consumer)

Semiotics

the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation

Connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word

Denotation

the literal meaning of a word

Signifier

physical existence of the sign

Signified

The meaning we associate with the signifier

signification

the representation or conveying of meaning

Indexical Signs

this signified is caused by or suggestive of the signifier (hints at or suggests what it is)

iconic signs

signs where the signifier resembles the signified (looks like what it is)

symbolic signs

the correlation to a word and and/ or a mental concept of the thing - there is no direct representation of the world (the meaning of what it was learnt or established)

Syntagm

collection of signs in linear sequence

paradigm

items that are similar and through substitution change the meaning(when different events in media texts are changed around to create a different effect)

Ideology

A consistent set of beliefs by groups/individuals

Mise-en-scene

whatever is placed inside the frame or on the screen

Technical codes

all to do with the way a text is technically constructed - camera angles, framing, typography, lighting etc.

shot length

how far away the object in the shot is

two shot

a shot depicting two characters

close up shot

Shows a particular part of a subject with more detail.

Extreme Close-Up Shot

Shows a particular part of a subject with extreme detail

medium shot

A relatively close shot, revealing the human figure from the knees or waist up.

Wide Shot

Shows subject and location/environment in its entirety

Extreme Wide Shot

Used to show the subject and its environment from further back than a typical wide shot

eye level angle

A camera angle that creates the effect of the audience being on the same level as the subject.

high angle shot

When camera location is above normal eye-level compared to the subject, makes the subject appear small, weak, inferior, or scared

low angle shot

When camera location is below normal eye-level compared to the subject, makes the subject appear tall, powerful, dominating, or scary

dutch angle shot

A shot in which the camera is tilted from its normal horizontal and vertical positions so that it is no longer straight, giving the viewer the impression that the world in the frame is out of balance.

depth of field

the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image judged to be in focus in a camera.

deep focus shot

everything in shot is in focus- long depth of field

Shallow Focus Shot

only part of the shot is in focus- short depth of field

rack focus shot

Changes the plane of focus within the shot by way of a change in focus, rather than by way of a zoom.

Tilt shift lens

fake shallow focus- where a special lens/ digital post-production can selectively blur part of the image

telephoto lens

A long lens that compresses space

wide angle lens

gives a space more depth

fish eye lens

An ultra wide-angle lens that produces strong visual distortion intended to create a wide panoramic or hemispherical image.

Popular culture

cultural patterns that are widespread among a society's population

Revisionist approach

challenging the orthodox views about a historical event, introducing contrary evidence, or reinterpreting the motivations and decisions of the people involved.

State of the nation series

a series which depicts somebody's view of society and what they think of certain races, classes and genders.

Narrative

How the story of a media text is constructed and how it relays its information to an audience

Linear Narrative

a narrative that goes in chronological order.

Non-linear narrative

The story jumps around in time, possibly using flashbacks or flash-forwards.

Multi-strand narrative

A Narrative that weaves together several different story lines within its narrative

circular narrative

a story that begins in the same place it ends

Todorov's narrative theory

Starts at a state of peace and ends with a peaceful equilibrium

Masterplots

Stories we tell repeatedly in variety of forms that connect to our deepest values, wishes and fears.

Overcoming the Monster

The protagonist sets out to defeat an antagonistic force (often evil) which threatens the protagonist and/or protagonist's homeland- James Bond

Rags to riches

The poor protagonist acquires power, wealth, and/or a mate, loses it all and gains it back, growing as a person as a result- Cinderella, Aladdin

The quest

The protagonist and companions set out to acquire an important object or to get to a location. They face temptations and other obstacles along the way- Avengers Infinity war

Voyage and return

The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to him or her, returns with experience- Alice in wonderland

Comedy

: Light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion. Booker makes sure to stress that comedy is more than humour. It refers to a pattern where the conflict becomes more and more confusing, but is at last made plain in a single clarifying event. The majority of romance films fall into this category- Bridget Jones' diary

Tragedy

The protagonist's character flaw or great mistake which is their undoing. Their unfortunate end evokes pity at their folly and the fall of a fundamentally good character- Romeo and Juliet

Rebirth

An event forces the main character to change their ways and often become a better person- Beauty and the beast

Propp's Character Theory

The theory that all characters in conventional narrative structures could be divided into just eight different character types: hero, villain, helper, donor, dispatcher, princess, anti-hero.

binary opposition

a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning