IMPROVING IMPROVING STANDARDS IN STANDARDS IN G.C.S.E. MEDIA G.C.S.E. MEDIA

STUDIESSTUDIESUSING MEDIA USING MEDIA LANGUAGELANGUAGE

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Section A Written PaperSection A Written Paper Advertising / Magazines Advertising / Magazines Deconstructing the textDeconstructing the text GenreGenre genre signifiersgenre signifiers repertoire of elementsrepertoire of elements

Codes and conventionsCodes and conventions Technical codes:Technical codes: camera shot angle editing transitions SFX camera shot angle editing transitions SFX

CGI CGI Symbolic codes:Symbolic codes: body language, gesture, setting, dress, body language, gesture, setting, dress,

colour, colour, compositioncomposition Sound codes:Sound codes: music, dialogue, sound effectsmusic, dialogue, sound effects Narrative codes:Narrative codes: storyline, plot, structure, charactersstoryline, plot, structure, characters Representations:Representations: age, gender, ethnicity, nation age, gender, ethnicity, nation

stereotypingstereotyping

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CODES AND CODES AND CONVENTIONSCONVENTIONS

Camera shotCamera shotClose up, Medium shot, Long shotClose up, Medium shot, Long shotECU, MCU, MLS, ELS orECU, MCU, MLS, ELS orBIG CLOSE UP, BIG LONG SHOTBIG CLOSE UP, BIG LONG SHOT

Camera angleCamera angle High, low, eyelevelHigh, low, eyelevel Two shotTwo shot Over the shoulderOver the shoulder Tilted frameTilted frame

Camera movementsCamera movements Pan, tilt, tracking shot, dollyPan, tilt, tracking shot, dolly

LightingLighting High key / low key High key / low key Hard and softHard and soft

EditingEditing Cutting, shot / reverse shotCutting, shot / reverse shot Jump cut, cutawayJump cut, cutaway Cross cuttingCross cutting Transitions, fades, wipes, dissolvesTransitions, fades, wipes, dissolves

Sound codesSound codes Music: genre, motif, instrumentsMusic: genre, motif, instruments Diegetic / nondiegetic soundDiegetic / nondiegetic sound Ambient soundAmbient sound Dialogue: narration, speechDialogue: narration, speech

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Symbolic codesSymbolic codes Symbolic codes are hugely significant. Candidates should Symbolic codes are hugely significant. Candidates should

identify the range of symbolic codes and explain why they identify the range of symbolic codes and explain why they have been used by the makers of the text. Candidates should have been used by the makers of the text. Candidates should use the word SIGNIFY or CONNOTE when describing symbolic use the word SIGNIFY or CONNOTE when describing symbolic codes.codes.

Body languageBody language GestureGesture DressDress SettingSetting ObjectObject Composition: rule of thirds, perspective Composition: rule of thirds, perspective ColourColour Typographic codes: fonts, plain, bold, italic, decorative, serif / sans serifTypographic codes: fonts, plain, bold, italic, decorative, serif / sans serif

Mise en scene - a useful word here which often describes many symbolic codesMise en scene - a useful word here which often describes many symbolic codes Denotation and connotationDenotation and connotation SignifiersSignifiers

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Narrative Codes :Narrative Codes : Plot, storyline, Plot, storyline, structure, structure, charactercharacter

Plot, storyline Plot, storyline Fabula, sychuzetFabula, sychuzet Beginning, middle, endBeginning, middle, end Tension, closure, resolutionTension, closure, resolution Harmony, dis-equilibrium, Harmony, dis-equilibrium,

equilibriumequilibrium Open narratives / closed Open narratives / closed

narrativesnarratives

Linear, multi-strand, chronologicalLinear, multi-strand, chronological FlashbackFlashback Time condensing, time expansionTime condensing, time expansion Dramatic ironyDramatic irony Dual narrative / triple narrativeDual narrative / triple narrative Binary oppositionsBinary oppositions Enigma and action codesEnigma and action codes

CharactersCharacters Protagonist / antagonistProtagonist / antagonist Propp Propp HeroHero VillainVillain PrincessPrincess MessengerMessenger RescuerRescuer DonorDonor

Anti heroAnti hero Femme fataleFemme fatale

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RepresentationsRepresentations

Key areas: age, Key areas: age, gender, ethnicity, gender, ethnicity, nationnation

Positive / negativePositive / negative StereotypingStereotyping CategorisationCategorisation RepetitionRepetition EvaluationEvaluation

Both the areas for study for Both the areas for study for 2005 address key areas of 2005 address key areas of representation and representation and stereotyping. Candidates should stereotyping. Candidates should be well prepared to look out for be well prepared to look out for these issues and work which these issues and work which addresses issues of providing addresses issues of providing alternatives to these alternatives to these stereotypes will be highly stereotypes will be highly rewarded.rewarded.

This applies equally to This applies equally to coursework both pre-production coursework both pre-production and production work and to the and production work and to the pre-production tasks on the pre-production tasks on the examination paper.examination paper.

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IntertextualityIntertextuality

Candidates should address the text Candidates should address the text in the examination by asking in the examination by asking

Does it remind them of any other texts they have seen Does it remind them of any other texts they have seen in photography, film, television etc?in photography, film, television etc?

How does it remind them of the text?How does it remind them of the text? Genre, music, style, camera shots, narrative etc.Genre, music, style, camera shots, narrative etc.

For teaching strategies choose texts for study which For teaching strategies choose texts for study which have intertextual references.have intertextual references.

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OrganisationsOrganisations Marketing and promotionMarketing and promotion Branding, brand identities, brand Branding, brand identities, brand

imageimage Distinctiveness and audience appealDistinctiveness and audience appeal CompetitionCompetition Cross media campaignsCross media campaigns Schedules and ratingsSchedules and ratings Audience research and targetingAudience research and targeting Distribution / Point of saleDistribution / Point of sale

Regulation and controlRegulation and control Self regulation v. external regulationSelf regulation v. external regulation Codes of practice and monitoringCodes of practice and monitoring

Pressures and constraintsPressures and constraints Taste and decencyTaste and decency Institutional factors such as: Institutional factors such as:

costs, contracts, deadlines, costs, contracts, deadlines, franchisesfranchises

Intrusion and privacyIntrusion and privacy The public interestThe public interest The lives of the rich and famousThe lives of the rich and famous

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AudiencesAudiences

Everyday uses and pleasuresEveryday uses and pleasures Strategies of audience appeal Strategies of audience appeal

and interpretationsand interpretations Target audiencesTarget audiences Reception and influenceReception and influence