Media Language & TV

Genre

In relation to any TV text, it is important to identify how media language is used to create meaning, and issues of genre and narrative that may also be relevant.

Genre

When provided with a TV text to analyse, you must identify the conventions of that TV genre and discuss whether or not the text is conventional for the genre.
Discuss issues such as genre hybridity and sub-genres.

Popular genres

Some of the more popular genres of TV programme available to audiences include:
- Drama, Crime Drama, Sci-Fi/Horror, Game Shows, News and Documentary, Sit Com, Soap Opera, Period Drama, Children's TV, Reality TV.

Narrative

In relation to any TV text, it is important to identify how media language is used to create meaning. Identify any narrative theory that can be applied.

Propp's character roles

Propp's character roles:
- Prince, princess, helper donor etc

Structure

Identify whether the TV text has a linear or non-linear structure.

Todorov's theory of narrative stages

Try and identify the stages of:
- Equilibrium.
- Disruption.
- Then new equilibrium.

Levi-Strauss Binary Oppositions

Good vs evil.
Aliens vs humans.
Old vs new.

Barthes’ enigma and action codes

Codes of mystery and intrigue used to engage the audience.
Codes which suggest some form of action will occur.
- For example a character pulling out a gun.

Narrative techniques

It is also important to consider the narrative techniques used in a TV text, such as the use of captions or a narrator to help tell the story.
Consider any written or spoken language that is used and the meanings created.

Technical codes

It is important to identify and analyse technical codes in TV. The most important are covered below.

Use of Sound

Diegetic, non-diegetic, parallel sound, sound bridge, voiceover, use of music.

Camera shots and angles

ECU, CU, Long Shot, Medium Shot, birds eye view, worms eye view, tilt, canted angle, two shot, over the shoulder shot.

Camera Movement

Pan, tracking shot, crane shot,dolly shot, steadicam, handheld.

Editing

Continuity and non-continuity, wipe, fade, dissolve, straight cut, montage.

Lighting

High key, low key, natural lighting, 3 point lighting, spotlight, backlight, fill light.

Mise-en-scene

Within the mise en scene there will be important symbolic codes that need to be identified and discussed such as:
- Settings, props, costume, hair and makeup, facial expression and body language, use of colour.

1Overview

1.1Media Language

1.1.1Media Language

1.1.2Media Language 2

1.2Audience

1.2.1Audiences

1.2.2Audiences 2

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Media Language & Audience

1.3Representation

1.3.1Stereotypes

1.3.2Gender

1.3.3Audiences

1.4The Media Industry

1.4.1Media Industries

1.4.2Ownership

1.4.3Funding & Regulation

1.4.4End of Topic Test - Representation/Media Industry

2Component 1: Section A

2.1Magazines

2.1.1Magazines

2.1.2Pride

2.1.3Pride 2

2.2GQ

2.2.1Context

2.2.2Narrative

2.2.3Representation

2.3Advertising & Marketing

2.3.1Advertising & Marketing

2.3.2Analysing Adverts

2.3.3Analysing Adverts 2

2.3.4Theories & Principles

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Magazines & Advertising

2.4Print Advertisements

2.4.1Quality Street

2.4.2This Girl Can

2.5Film Posters (Marketing)

2.5.1Spectre

2.5.2The Man with The Golden Gun

2.5.3The Man with The Golden Gun 2

2.6Newspapers

2.6.1Ownership & Regulation

2.6.2News Selection

2.6.3Media Language

2.6.4Genres

2.6.5Newspaper Conventions

2.6.6Representation

2.6.7Audience

2.6.8Theories

2.6.9End of Topic Test - Newspapers

2.7The Sun

2.7.1Context

2.7.2Narrative

2.7.3Language & Images

2.8The Guardian

2.8.1The Guardian

2.8.2Narrative

2.8.3Language & Images

3Component 1: Section B

3.1Video Games

3.1.1Video Games

3.2Film

3.2.1The Big Six

3.2.2Technology

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Video Games & Films

3.3Radio

3.3.1The Radio Industry

3.3.2Categories of Radio Station

3.3.3Technology & Radio Audiences

3.3.4Theories

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Radio

3.4No Time To Die

3.4.1Context

3.4.2Narrative

3.4.3Representation

4Component 2: Section A

5Component 2: Section B

5.1Music Video

5.1.1Music Videos

5.1.2The Music Industry

5.2Michael Jackson

5.2.1‘Black or White’

5.3Taylor Swift

5.3.1Bad Blood

5.3.2Intertextual References

5.3.3Media Theories

5.3.4Representation

5.3.5Social Media

5.4Bruno Mars

5.4.1Uptown Funk

5.4.2Analysis

5.4.3End of Topic Test - Music Videos

5.5Lizzo

5.5.1Context

5.5.2'Good as Hell'

5.5.3Media Language

5.5.4Representation

5.5.5Audience

5.5.6Industry

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