Topic 3: Meaning in Media products

Semiotics

Way for how we make meanings, through signs, codes and conventions

Mise en Scene

Everything put into a scene

Shot

A single take

The Star system

Certain Film stars can be an important part of the film's iconography and become signifiers of meaning

Genre

categories which a media product falls under

Diegetic sound

Characters in the scene can hear the sound

Non-Diegetic Sound

Characters in the scene can't hear the sound

Iconography

objects that fit a particular genre

\- cowboy hats in western films

Genre Hybrids

mix of two or more genre

e.g. rom-com

Subgenre

film under the umbrella of a larger genre

Todorov's theory of equilibrium

Three act structure

* begins with equilibrium
* disruption to equilibrium
* equilibrium restored

Prop's theory of archetypes

7 different types of archetypes

* Hero
* Villain
* The Donor
* The Dispatcher
* The False Hero
* The Helper
* The princess

Strauss' theory of binary opposites

opposites are what drive the narrative forward

Barthe's theory of five codes

Use of five codes

* Enigma
* Action
* Semantic
* Symbolic
* Cultural

Representation

constructed and created through media language

what is Barthes' theory

theory of five codes

what is Prop's theory

theory of archetypes

what is Todorov’s theory

theory of equilibrium

what is Strauss’ theory

theory of binary opposites

How does COD trailer fit Todorov’s theory

There is a war that imbalances the equilibrium

How does COD trailer fit Strauss’ theory

Binary opposites being the two countries at war

How does COD trailer fit Prop’s theory

The hero is the main character, the one you play as

The villain is the opposing force which they are in war with

How does COD trailer fit Barthe’s theory

It fits the action and semantic code

action due to war

semantic due to the ammunition sounds and the soldiers in the trailer.

Stuart Hall theory

1) Representation is constructed & created through Media language - a process of ‘selection and combination’

2) These reps are used to create or perpetuate stereotypes

3) People are reduced to a narrow definition ie: blondes are dumb

4) Production of representations is all about who is doing the representing

5) Any group that does not fit into hegemonic norms/values is labeled as other