Media LanguageOrganisationRepresentationGenreAudienceNarrative

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REVISION: MEDIA LANGUAGE

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Quickfire

• What do you remember about the following…

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Denotation

Connotation

Denotation & Connotation

Image

Denotatio

n

• What do you see?

Connotation

• What is the meaning behind the image?

3© ZigZag Education 2015

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For an answer…

• The advert for …… denotes ______________

• These can connote_________ and ________ which is positive for the brand image because__________________

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• There are 4 types of CODES included in a Media Text:

– Symbolic Codes• Images/Colours/Gestures/Body language

– Technical Codes• Camera Angles/Lighting/Focus

– Narrative Codes• Is there a story being told through the picture?

– Text Codes• Text content/Text style/Anchorage

Codes

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Camera Shots and Angles

Camera Shots Camera Angles

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Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)• In the extreme wide shot, the view

is so far from the subject that she isn't even visible. The point of this shot is to show the subject's surroundings.

• The EWS is often used as an "establishing shot" - the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.The EWS is also known as an extra long shot or extreme long shot (XLS).

Very Wide Shot (VWS)• The very wide shot is much closer

to the subject than an extreme wide shot, but still much further away than a wide shot.

• The subject is (just) visible here, but the emphasis is very much on placing her in her environment.This often works as an establishing shot, in which the audience is shown the whole setting so they can orient themselves.

Wide Shot (WS)• Also known as a LONG SHOT.

• As with most shot types, the wide shot means different things to different people. However the wide shot seems to suffer more from varying interpretations than other types. Many people take the WS to mean something much wider than my example, i.e. what I would call a very wide shot.

Mid Shot (MS)• The MS is appropriate when the subject

is speaking without too much emotion or intense concentration. It also works well when the intent is to deliver information, which is why it is frequently used by television news presenters. You will often see a story begin with a MS of the reporter (providing information), followed by closer shots of interview subjects (providing reactions and emotion).As well as being a comfortable, emotionally neutral shot, the mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement.

Medium Close Up (MCU)

• The medium closeup is half way between a mid shot and a close up. This shot shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.

Close Up (CU)• In the closeup shot, a certain feature or

part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face (unless specified otherwise).Close-ups are obviously useful for showing detail and can also be used as a Insert Shot ( or Cut In). A close-up of a person emphasizes their emotional state. Whereas a mid-shot or wide-shot is more appropriate for delivering facts and general information, a close-up exaggerates facial expressions which convey emotion. The viewer is drawn into the subject's personal space and shares their feelings.

Extreme Close Up (ECU)

• The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes.

High Angle• a high angle shot is usually

when the camera is located above the eyeline.

• With this type of angle, the camera looks down on the subject and the point of focus often get "swallowed up" by the setting.

• High angle shots also make the figure or object seem vulnerable or powerless

Low Angle• a low angle shot is

usually when the camera is located below the eyeline.

• With this type of angle, the camera looks up towards the subject

• Low angle shots also make the figure or object seem powerful

Birds Eye View• The scene is shown from

directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

• In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't.

Worms Eye View• The scene is shown from

directly below. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

Slanted• Also known as a

dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect.

Rule of Thirds• Mentally divide your viewfinder into thirds horizontally and vertically.• Lines of interest should occur at 1/3 or 2/3 of the way up (or across) the

frame, rather than at the center. • In shots of people, the main line of interest is the imaginary line going

through the subject's eyes. So try to place the eyes about 1/3 from the top of the screen.

Framing• Look for natural "frames" within your scene.• Also, beware of horizontal and vertical lines in the frame (edges of

buildings, counter tops, picture frames, and so forth). Make sure the horizontal lines are level and the vertical lines are straight up and down.

Balance• There are two main forms of balance:• Symmetrical balance creates a formal appearance. • Asymmetrical balance creates a feeling of movement and suggests a

creative and dynamic mood. • Use the form of balance that is most appropriate for your subject.

Depth of Field

• Depth of Field is the amount of a photographwhich is in acceptably sharp focus from theforeground to the background

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Everything in focus

Main subject in focus – background

blurred but recognisable

Main subject in focus – background totally

blurred

Deep Focus Shallow Focus Very Shallow Focus

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For an answer…

• The advert for …… uses a ______________ camera shot and a _________ angle

The Focus is _________________The Layout uses the rule of thirds by______________

• These technical codes can connote_________ and ________ which is positive for the brand image because__________________

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27

Mise en Scène

1. S____________2. P____________

3. C____________

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Mise en Scène

4. H/M____________

6. P____________

5. L(C)____________

5 metres

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Lesson 4 – Media Language – Mise en Scène– Starter

1 S Settings2 P Props3 C Costume4 H/M Make-up5 L (C) Colours6 P Proxemics

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High Key Lighting

• Indicates a brightly lit scene with few shadows;

• Usually provided by one source of light (the 'key light').

Low Key Lighting

• Where the lighting is more towards the greyer and darker scale,

• Where there is a good deal of shadow, and where the key light is less bright and does not dominate.

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For an answer…

• The advert for …… denotes __________ and ____________

• These symbolic codes can connote_________ and ________ which is positive for the brand image because__________________

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Language

• Words can play a powerful part in Adverts

• Text in adverts is known as COPY

• A brand might also use a SLOGAN

• By selecting the correct words, font and colours, words can play a huge part in advertising!

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15/04/2023 GCSE MEDIA MOCK REVISION GUIDE 35

For an answer…

• The language techniques in the advert for …… are ______________ and _____________

• This can connote_________ and ________ which is positive for the brand image because__________________

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