Media Language

Barthes (1977) argued that in film connotation can be (analytically) distinguished from denotation.

John Fiske (1982) “denotation is what is filmed, connotation is how it is filmed”.

Evaluating media language is an evaluation of all micro elements and how they have created meaning to inform us about genre, narrative, representations/ ideology, targeting of audiences.

Mise-en-Scene creates the diegetic world - the fictional space and time implied by the narrative, i.e. the world in which the story takes place.

Micro Element: Camerawork There are Four aspects to camerawork that you need to understand: Shot Types – particularly relevant for print. Camera Composition Camera Movement Camera Angles

Continuity Establishing/Re-establishing Shot Transitions . The 180° Line Rule . Action Match . Crosscutting . Cutaway . Insert Shots . Shot - Reverse Shot Structures . Eyeline Match .

 Non-Continuity Montage Sequence . Flash Back/Forward . Ellipsis . Graphic Match .

Structuralism - Elements within a structure do not possess meaning as individual units but gain their meaning through their relations to other elements. Structuralist film theory emphasises how films convey meaning through the use of codes and conventions not dissimilar to the way languages are used to construct meaning in communication.

So basically...

• Editing
• Fonts
• Strapline / Coverline
• Barcode
• Colour pallete (3 colour scheme)
• Masthead
• Lighting
• Denotations / connotations
• Semiotics
• Camera Shots (mid, low, high, establishing, close up)
• Mise en Scene (Costume,lighting, locations, props)