Denotation and connotation

Understanding denotation and connotation is the starting point for all media analysis.

Remember the definitions:

Denotation: the literal meaning of something
E.g. A rose is a garden plant

Connotation: the suggestion behind this literal meaning (reading between the lines)
E.g .The rose suggests romance and love.

When writing media analysis, you need to consider the following questions:

Denotation: what do you see?

Connotation: what is suggested? What does it mean?

Analysis: what is effect on the audience?

Blog task: advert analysis

Create a new blogpost in your GCSE Media blog called 'Denotation and connotation'.

1) Write an analysis of the WaterAid advert above using denotation, connotation and analysis. What does the advert communicate to the audience?

2) Now choose your own advert from Google images. Add it to your blogpost and write an analysis using denotation and connotation, explaining what the advert is communicating to the audience.

Finish this for homework if you don't complete it in the lesson - due Thursday.

Introduction to Photoshop: fruit bowls

The fruit bowl task is a wonderfully creative way to learn some key skills in Photoshop.

Once you have finished your fruit bowl, you need to post it to your blog. Complete the following tasks:

1) Save your fruit bowl as a JPEG image. Go to 'Save as' and then use the drop-down menu for 'File type' and choose JPEG

2) Create a new blogpost in your GCSE Media blog called 'Photoshop fruit bowl'.

3) Post your fruit bowl (or bowls if you did more than one) to your blog along with a short explanation of the colour palette you used and the effect you were trying to create.

You may need to do this for homework - due next Tuesday.

GCSE Media: Key Concepts

Everything we study in GCSE Media over the next two years will be based around the theoretical framework. This means four key concepts: Language, Industries, Audience and Representation.

If you missed any of the notes from today's lesson this should help:

Language

• The Language of Media Studies
• How we ‘read’ media texts
• Recognising the codes and conventions of media texts
• Key media terms e.g. genre… denotation… connotation… narrative… 

Industries

• The companies, organisations or regulators behind the media
• Most aspects of the media are a commodity: something that is bought and sold. There is competition and a demand for profit.
• Huge institutions are called multinationals e.g. News International
• Smaller institutions can include media texts we create ourselves (blogs etc.)

Audience

• The people who consume media products
• How does the media influence its audience? Who holds the power?
• How is an audience targeted? What do the audience enjoy or learn from the media product?
• Audience research: who exactly is buying our product?

Representation

• The people who consume media products
• How does the media influence its audience? Who holds the power?
• How is an audience targeted? What do the audience enjoy or learn from the media product?
• Audience research: who exactly is buying our product?

Key Concepts blog task

1) Find a film poster of your choice (use Google images)
2) Write an analysis of the film poster on your blog using the four key media concepts: language, industries, audience and representation.

Finish for homework if you don't complete it during today's lesson.

The key questions to ask:

Language: how do we know it is a film poster? What impact do the key conventions have on the audience?
Industries: who are the companies behind the film? Who directs or stars in the film? Who is making money from this media product?
Audience: who is the target audience for this film? How can we tell?
Representation: what representation of people or groups can we find in this poster? What does it tell the audience?

Example: Splice (2009)

Language

The title and tag-line, release date and billing block (information about the Director and the production company) all follow the expected codes and conventions of a film poster. The effect created here is…

Industries

The film was produced by Dark Castle (for Universal Entertainment) who are associated with horror… It was executively produced by Guillermo del Toro who is a well known director. It was commercially successful (being the highest grossing Canadian feature film in 2010)…

Audience

This looks like it would be targeted at an audience of mixed gender (although perhaps slightly more female?) An adult age range might apply due to the 15 certificate and the content which includes hybridity and genetic experimentation…

Representation

The focal picture shows a female in a dominant position with another female confronting her. There is a male in the background which is perhaps unusual, particularly in science fiction…

Welcome to GCSE Media!

Welcome to GCSE Media Studies - we have a brilliant two-year journey ahead of us and can't wait to get started! 

Over the next two years you will produce some amazing production work, learn a huge amount about analysing the media and end up with an excellent GCSE grade. All you need to do is put the work in!

Your first job is to start your GCSE Media blog. You can find step-by-step text instructions here. Once you have your blog URL, post it as a comment below with your name clearly written next to it. For example:

Mr Pall's blog: http://mediamacguffingcse.blogspot.co.uk/ 

IMPORTANT: It is absolutely essential you remember your log-in details for this blog - it is your Media work book for next two years. Make sure you do the following:

1. If possible, add your mobile phone number so you can get a code by text if you forget your password
2. Email your log-in details to yourself using your SCHOOL email address
3. Write a reminder of your blog URL, log-in and password in your planner

First blog task

When you have set up your blog, it's time for your first blog post! Important: make sure you click on 'New Post' and NOT 'New Blog' when starting this process - it is a common mistake.

You need to answer the following questions (detailed answers in full sentences please) as your first post:

1) Which part of the course are you looking forward to most?

2) What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in Media?

3) What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media?

4) What was the last TV programme or film you watched?

5) Why do you think that TV programme or film appealed to an audience?

6) What technology have you used to access the media in the last 24 hours? (Radio, TV, phone etc.)

7) What device do you use most to access the media?

8) Watch this clip from acclaimed BBC drama series Sherlock:

9) What do we learn about the characters from this brief clip?

10) What aspects of this show do you think an audience might enjoy? List at least three things and explain why the audience would enjoy each aspect.

Extension question: What can you spot in Sherlock that you will find in most television dramas? E.g. characters, dramatic music etc.) These are called key conventions - list as many as you can think of.

Note: If the YouTube clip isn't working please let your Media teacher know. While you're waiting for the issue to be resolved, read up on this episode of Sherlock on the brilliant IMDB website.

Finish these questions for homework if you don't manage to get through them in the lesson - due first lesson next week.

If you DO finish everything - well done! Spend some time looking through our Media blog, particularly at last year's Media student blogs. This will give you an idea of the fantastic work you will be producing over the next two years.