P2

Media Language

A system of signs and symbols used by information producers to convey meanings to their audiences. It consists of codes and conventions to communicate information.

Types of Media Languages

  1. Written Language – The representation of spoken or gestural language using a writing system.

  2. Verbal Language – The way language is delivered, including tone, pitch, and speed, affecting audience interpretation.

  3. Non-Verbal Language – Communication through body language, gestures, and facial expressions.

  4. Visual Language – The use of images, symbols, and colors to convey meaning.

    • Semiotics – The study of signs and symbols.

  5. Aural Language – The use of sound to create mood and meaning in media.

    • Diegetic Sound – Raw, natural sounds within an audio-visual material.

    • Non-Diegetic Sound – Sounds added during post-production (e.g., background music).

Denotation vs. Connotation

  • Denotation – The literal meaning of an image, sound, or word.

  • Connotation – The deeper or symbolic meaning that people associate with an image, sound, or word.

Codes in Media

A system of signs that create meaning.

Types of Codes:

  1. Symbolic Codes – Objects, settings, body language, and actions that hold deeper meanings.

    • Setting – The time and place of a scene or story.

    • Mise-en-Scène – Everything within a frame (costume, props, lighting, composition).

    • Acting – How an actor portrays a character through facial expressions, body language, and voice.

    • Color – Used to create meaning (e.g., red for passion or danger, green for nature or illness).

  2. Technical Codes – Methods used to produce media, such as camera angles, lighting, and sound.

    • Camerawork – The way the camera is handled and positioned.

    • Lighting – The manipulation of light to highlight specific elements.

    • Audio – The use of dialogue, sound effects, and music to enhance storytelling.

Camera Shots and Perspectives

  1. Extreme Long Shot – A large crowd scene or vast landscape.

  2. Long Shot – Captures a full human figure or subject in its environment.

  3. Medium Shot – Shows a subject from the waist up.

  4. Full Shot – Displays the entire subject within the frame.

  5. Medium Close Shot – Shows a subject from the chest up.

  6. Close-Up Shot – Focuses on a subject’s face or an object.

  7. Extreme Close-Up Shot – Captures only part of the subject (e.g., eyes, hands).

3-Point Perspective:

  • Bird’s Eye View – A high-angle shot, looking down from above.

  • Worm’s Eye View – A low-angle shot, looking up from the ground.

  • Normal Eye View – A standard shot at eye level.

Conventions in Media

Generally accepted ways of presenting media, closely tied to audience expectations.

Types of Conventions:

  1. Form Conventions – The expected structure of a media product (e.g., news reports have headlines and interviews).

  2. Genre Conventions – Typical themes and elements found in a specific genre (e.g., horror films use eerie music and dark lighting).

Genres in Media

  1. Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)

  2. Romantic Comedy (Rom-Com)

  3. Horror

  4. Action

  5. Musical

Media Representation

The way media portrays reality using codes and conventions. Often, media does not reflect real life accurately but constructs a particular version of reality.