Introduction to Media Language

Session 1:

Semiotics & Symbols

Session One

By the end of this session you will be able to:

Read the denotative and connotative levels of meaning within a PRINT media text

Use and understand the key terms used in the analysis of media language (Denotation, Connotation, Signifier & Signified)

Write a coherent analysis of the symbolic codes within a movie poster

Image Analysis

CODES – rules or conventions by which signs are put together to create meaning.

In most cases a media text will use a variety of codes – visual, audio and written – that fit together in a certain way to create a particular meaning.

Analysing Media Texts: A Framework

Divides codes of media language into three categories – these can help you to understand the meanings of a printed text

1. SYMBOLIC

Lighting & Colour

Positioning

Setting & Locations

Facial Expressions & Body Language

Objects

Key Signifiers/Images

Clothing, Hair & Make Up

3. TECHNICAL

Camera Angles

Framing (ELS, LS, MLS, MS, CU, ECU, POV)

Cropping

Juxtapostion (2 separate signs that together make contrasting meaning)

2. WRITTEN

Slogan

Typeface/Font

Headlines

Captions

Style

Choice of words

Emphasis of words

Theorists

Ferdinand de Saussure(1857-1913)

Roland Barthes(1913 – 1980)

Charles Peirce(1839 – 1914)

Saw language as a cultural creation

rather than something innateLooked at the

way visual images transmit

meanings.

Introduced the idea of semiotics and developed

Saussure’s ideas.

Showed how we go through various

stages when deconstructing a sign

KEY TERM: Semiotics

Definition: The study of SIGNS

Examines how symbolic, written and technical signs construct meaning

Looks at how meaning is made and understood

KEY TERM RECAP:Signifier & Signified

THE SIGNIFIER – The sign: a word, colour or image (i.e. the colour BLUE)

THE SIGNIFIED – The concept/ meaning/associations that the sign refers to (i.e. BLUE is often associated with sadness or the sea etc.)

Signifier & Signified: Examples

Signifier: Red rose with a green stem Signifies: a symbol of passion and love - this is what the rose represents

Signifier: Brown crossSignifies: a symbol of religion, or to be more specific this is a symbol of Christianity

Signifier: HeartSignifies: a symbol of love and affection

TASK: GreenWhat does ‘green’ signify?

TASK: Pink

What does the colour ‘pink’ signify when used on this magazine cover? List five signifiers.

TASK: What do the following signs signify? Make a list of all the meanings and associations you can think of for each signifier:

A

ED

CB

A: Barbie Doll

B: Hamburger

C: The Statue of Liberty

D: Bus

E: Nike Swoosh

Signs & Cultural Differences

How we read a sign depends on our culture:

EXAMPLE: In Britain, we associate the colour white with innocence, purity, weddings

In China, white is the colour of mourning and is worn at funerals

How to read the signs and signifiers within a Media Text

All media texts have 2 layers of meaning:

DENOTATIVE LEVEL: What we actually see

CONNOTATIVE LEVEL: What you associate with this image – we bring cultural experiences to what we see, add our own information and attempt to identify meaning.

KEY TERMS 3: Denotation & Connotation

Denotative: The surface meaning

Connotative: The deeper or hidden meanings and associations

This image denotes the movie star Marilyn Monroe

The image connotes glamour, stardom, sexuality, beauty

If this was one of the last photographs of Marilyn Monroe, we may also associate it with her depression, drug-taking and ultimately death

This image denotes a tropical island

The image connotes peace, tranquility paradise, holiday, summer to some readers.

…but think about the film ‘Castaway’, the victims of the Bali bombings or the recent tsunami - in this case the image may connote isolation, fear or even death

It is important to note that images have different connotations depending on the reader of the image/text

Denotation & Connotation within a Media Text – A Movie Poster

The Mission Impossible Poster denotes a MATCH and a GLOBE OF THE WORLD

What are the connotations ofa) The match?b) The globe?

TASK: Denotation & Connotation within a Media Text – A Movie Poster

1. What are the key signifiers in the movie poster and what do they signify?

2. What are the denotative levels of meaning in the poster? (What does the poster denote?)

3. What are the connotative levels of meaning in the poster? (What does the poster connote?)

4. What are they communicating to an audience? Why?

Some signs are ARBITRARY – they can have several meanings that are contestedEg. The Union Jack ICONIC signs – use of a wheelchair to indicate disabled facilitiesINDEXICAL signs – smoke used to identify fire or a tear for sorrow.

British monarchy, Ulster Unionists, football supporters etc.

Introduction to Media Language

Session 2:

Magazines & Written Codes

Session 2: Media Language

By the end of the session you will be able to:

Identify the written codes with a print media text

Carry out a semiotic analysis of the symbolic and written codes within a magazine cover

Recap

What is the denotative level of a media text?

What is the connotative level of a media text?

Can you name:i) the signifiers

ii) what they signify (at least 5 meanings/associations)

D

CB

E

A

What do the following images:i) denote ii) connote

A B

Introduction to Semiotics: Written Codes

The study of written codes includes:• Slogans• Typeface/Font• Headlines• Captions• Style• Choice of words• Emphasis of words

Analysing Written Codes

1. What is the title of the magazine and what does this connote?

2. What slogans/captions have been used?

3. What colours are used and what do they connote?

4. What font has been used and what does this connote?

5. What words have been chosen? Why do you think they have been chosen?

6. What words are emphasised and why do you think they have been emphasised?

Introduction to Media Language

Session 3:

Advertisements

Session 3

By the end of the session you will be able to:

Produce an analysis of the media language codes within an advertisement

Analyse the representation of gender within advertisements

Recap:What do the following fonts connote/signify?

SIGNIFIER: Water/Ocean

WaveSIGNIFIES:

Wild, Stormy, Natural, Earthly

SIGNIFIER: Words ‘Cool

Water’SIGNIFIES:Refreshing,

different,

SIGNIFIER: Droplets on

BottleSIGNIFIES:Cool, chilled appearance,

almost drinkable

SIGNIFIER: Mans Naked

TorsoSIGNIFIES:

Natural, angelic, pure, toned, ideal,

masculine, adonis

SIGNIFIER: Facial

Expression/Body LanguageSIGNIFIES:

Ecstatic, pleasure lost in ecstacy, laid

back, inviting

SIGNIFIER: Calligraphy Style

FontSIGNIFIES:

Classic, timeless,

expensive tastes

SIGNIFIER: Blonde Hair

Signifies:Ideal

Woman, Innocence, Looks ‘gold’

SIGNIFIER: Perfume

BottleSignifies:

Looks Jewel-like, Buried Treasure

SIGNIFIER: Colour Gold

Signifies:Luxury, Riches,

Expense, Success,

Shimmering

SIGNIFIER: JewellerySignifies:

Extravagance, Excess,

Glamour, Decedance

SIGNIFIER: Word ‘Love’

Signifies:Passion,

Excitement, Lust

SIGNIFIER: Font

Signifies:Dior Logo,

Brand Name, Designer

TASK

Highlight:

A) The key signifiers

B) Their connotative meaning

In the portrayal of men and women, advertising often uses the following codes and conventions:

Superiority, Domination & Body Language: Men are shown in dominant positions and appear to be reflective of thought and intelligence. Women are physically portrayed in sexual or reclining poses with blank or inviting expressions.

Dismemberment: On females, parts of the body such as legs, chest, etc., are used, rather than the full body. This is often applied to sell products which are not related to the body, such as mobile phones (right)

The Voice-Over Authority: In moving image advertisements, male voices are used as voice-over's in commercials rather than females.

Gender Representations in Advertising

Goffmans Theory (1972)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Carry out a Semiotic Analysis of an advertisement commenting on

the relevant headings listed below:

1. SYMBOLIC & WRITTEN SIGNIFIERSLighting & Colours

Positioning of Words & Images

Setting & Locations

Facial Expressions & Body Language (of people)

Typeface/Font Style

Key (Main) Images/Signifiers

Clothing, Hair & Make Up

2. Goffman’s TheoryDoes the advert adhere to Goffmans gender theory? Comment on the representation of men/women featured within the advert?

Minimum of 500 words please

Comparing Imagery

1. In pairs, discuss and make notes on the following:

• What is the denotative level of meaning in each image? What does each image denote?

• What is the connotative level of meaning in each image? What does each image connote?

• Why do you think different images have been chosen?

• What meanings do the images convey to audiences?

TASK: Moving Image Analysis

Watch the credit sequences to the following TV Programmes:

1. Desperate Housewives

2. Sex & The City

3. Without A Trace/Prison Break

4. How To Look Good Naked

5. You Are What You Eat

Moving Image Analysis: Media Language

1. What are the key signifiers (Words/Images/Sounds) in the sequence and what do they signify?

2. What does the sequence tell us about the content of the programme? What are your expectations of the programme after viewing the sequence?

3. What audiences are being targeted and how do you know?