Posts

Structuralism and post-structuralism

  Part 1: Media Factsheet reading Use  our brilliant Media Factsheet archive  to find Factsheet #90  Applying Structuralism and Post-Structuralism . Read the Factsheet and answer the following questions: 1) What is the definition of structuralism provided by the Factsheet?  Structuralism is a theoretical perspective that emphasises the existence of universal structures underlying the surface differences and assumed randomness of various cultures , stories and media texts. 2) What are binary oppositions and why are they important? Binary oppositions are two things that are polar opposites  3) How do genre and auteur theory link to structuralism?  Auteur theory looks for patterns in the films made my the same directors which links to structuralism as it suggests that directors have a certain structure to how they create films. Genre links to structuralism as it implies that each film/ tv show in that genre have similar conventions. 4) Look at page 4 of t...

Reception theory

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1) What are the preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings for the RBK 50 Cent advert? The preferred reading is that 50 cent is an icon and has had a rough past but has decided to embrace it as part of his identity. The oppositional reading could be that the advertisement is using racial stereotypes to promote their product by using 50 cent ,a black man, and relating their product to criminality. The negotiated reading is that 50 cent's story is enticing, however it plays into racial stereotypes .    2)  What are the preferred, n egotiated and oppositional readings for the advert of your own choice that you analysed for last week's work? The preferred reading is that the rhetorical question 'have you had yours?' makes the audience what to try the product and have a 'yes' as an answer to the question. The oppositional reading is  1) Complete Activity 1 on page 2 of the factsheet. Choose a media text you have enjoyed and apply the sender-message-channel...

Reading an image - media codes

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  Technical Codes: The lighting is harsh which highlights his furrowed brows and the camera shot is a close up which shows the intensity of his expression. He is staring at the camera which shows direct address to the audience. The overall advert is two images stitched together which could represent his past and present. Written/Verbal codes: In the anchorage text the O's are filled in connote to 50 cent's gunshot wounds and the title/Slogan shows a reflection on his past. Also it's unclear about what is being advertised which suggests it could be a limited edition product. Symbolic/Non-verbal codes:  His facial expression is angry and serious and the slogan exudes confidence and strength. The colour scheme is monochromatic and dull which could be reflective of 50 cent's bleak history of crime which is further emphasised by the fingerprints which could symbolise history and identity. The logo is associated with celebrity culture and identity since the brand is...

Semiotics

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Part 2: Media Magazine theory drop - Semiotics  1) What did Ferdinand de Saussure suggest are the two parts that make up a sign? -Signifier and Signified 2) What does ‘polysemy’ mean? - When a signifier can have multiple interpretations  3) What does Barthes mean when he suggests signs can become ‘naturalised’? - It means that certain meanings are brought about in society and over time these newly constructed meanings are accepted and agreed upon. 4) What are Barthes’ 5 narrative codes? - Hermeneutic code or ‘enigma  code’, Proairetic code or 'action code', Semantic code, Symbolic code, Cultural code. 5) How does the writer suggest Russian Doll (Netflix) uses narrative codes? -The camera lingers on a close up of a rotten fruit bowl that is entirely rotten which creates enigma codes for the audience . Part 3: Icons, indexes and symbols 1) Find  two  examples for each: icon, index and symbol. Provide images or links. Icon: Index: Symbol:  2) Why are icon...

My media consumption

  Newspapers Which daily newspapers (if any) do you read?       I don't read any. What sections of newspapers do you turn to first, and why?      If I had a newspaper I would probably skim through it not looking for anything in particular (except maybe the Sudoku) What sections do you never read, and why?      I wouldn't read most sections. What kinds of stories do you usually read and why?       None Do you, or someone else, buy the newspaper you read?       No one in my family buys newspapers Do you look at the online versions of any newspapers? Which newspapers? Why do you visit their website and not others?       No Magazines What magazines (if any) do you buy regularly?  Why/why not?      I don't buy magazines because personally I don't really enjoy reading so I would rather gain that information through something else.  What sections of the magazines d...

First Blog Task

1) Why did you choose A Level Media Studies? I chose A level Media because it was my favourite subject in GCSE and I'm interested in doing something in the film industry in the future.  2) Did you take GCSE Media Studies (either here at Greenford or a different school)? Yes, I took Media Studies at Greenford. 3) If you answered yes to Q2, what grade did you achieve in GCSE Media? What coursework task did you complete? What would you say your strengths and weaknesses were in GCSE Media? I got a grade 7 in GCSE and I completed two video advertisements for coursework.  4) What grade do you hope to achieve in A Level Media? I would like to get a grade A 5) What are your current thoughts about your next steps after A Levels - university, apprenticeship, work? I will probably go to university, however I’m still not certain. 6) What do you think the biggest MEDIA story of 2025 has been and why? The growth of AI ,although it isn’t exclusive to 2025, is a big talking point and personal...