Semiotics revision

50 cent on the album cover:

• The signifier is the cap which signifies his urban edge moreover reinforced by the text of "g unit".
• low camera angle makes him look more masculine and intimidating. 
• the lighting is used in order to make his chest and stomach look even more masculine.
• slashes drawn over his arms are used to connote anger and violence.
• the text at the bottom says "parental advisory explicit contents" which connotes the violent language or the lyrics however the cross presents binary opposition.
• The dark look of 50 cent, dressed in black and white has binary opposition against the white background with a pattern around the edge.
• The combination of his attire and fighting gloves connotes he's "ready to fight"

How is 50 cent represented?

Within the image of 50 cent, he is stood with a low angle shot to connote intimidation. Moreover emphasised by the lighting to enhance his masculinity.Furthermore the artistic slashes within his muscles are used to reinforce his size. His urban image is connoted through his attire; the hat signifies his urban edge, which is reinforced through the text "g unit. Moreover 50 cent is wearing fighting gloves, which suggests his urban, gangster, "ready to fight" attitude. The use of the "parental advisory explicit contents" connotes the violent nature of his lyrics which is in binary opposition tof the cross chain worn around his neck, as it is a signifier of morals and religion. 

Audience Theory

Media texts are aimed at a target audience which can depend on:

• age
• gender
• race/ ethnicity/ cultural background
• interests/ hobbies
• experiences
• class
• regional identity
• disability

1. the effect model or hypodermic syringe
2. the uses and gratification model
3. reception theory

these 3 theories are applied to help us have a better understanding between text and audience.

Primary- actually engaging with the media consciously, for example putting on the radio and listening. Primary is the same as an active audience.

secondary- also doing something else for example having the radio on while going about doing chores.

tertiary- engaged in the media yet on a subconscious level, you would know that its there but you don't take any notice. Also known as a passive audience.

The effect model

The effects model is an idea within media to present the consumption of media texts:

• Imitation- is the idea that the audience passively take in what the media texts are presenting and therefore copying what they see as they see it as the 'norm'.
• Desensitisation- The media texts no longer have the desired effect that they should as the audience have become used to what they are seeing- for example on screen violence.
• Catharsis- watching media as an escape. Often audiences use catharsis to watch programmes such as Eastenders in order to make themselves feel better and have an escape from their life problems. 

Media signs around the school

In our lesson we were told to look around the school to look at the signs. From doing this, I have taken into consideration all the posters and "media" that I subliminally take in without realising. The signs around the school are going to be aimed at teachers therefore they need to be short and to the point as well as relevant:

• tidy litter
• racism
• bullying
• smoking
• equality
• vandalism 
• "coughs and sneezes spread diseases"
• respect our school

All this media is used to try and improve the school environment. As the audience I was aware of the sort of things that signs would say but hadn't noticed them particularly- which is therefore suggesting the subliminal effect signs have. 

How concepts fit together?

All we have learnt within media is relevant to one another. All these concepts are linker to make a bigger picture, which ultimately is Media. Firstly we focused on genre which as a whole is the overview of Media which links to all films and TV programmes to question whether genre exist as it has evolved to such an extent over time. However everything within Media is a RE presentation of that we see in the real world; for example characters, story lines, emotions, stereotypes etc. All this factors which are relevant to make a media text are all used from representations and what we associate with what. Therefore throughout the things we are learning with media for example, narrative theory, these are all still a reflection of the representations.

SHIELD trailer analysis

Establishing shot:
Looking down upon the city

camera angles:

• High angle shot upon the government, connoting they're not a strong as they are perceived.
• close up on faces of the characters, tells alot about them, their emotions and what characters they will play within the film.
• low angle shot: used with the heroic characters- foreshadows their role.

Black suits vs casual

• Black suits show the weaker characters
• casual dress her the "superheros"

this subverts against our expectations of the reflection of their attire against their roles within society. We would expect the characters dressing in the smart black suits to be the slick, heroic characters yet in this case the audience is seeing more "normal" people becoming the heros.

mise en scene

• A lot of technology and machinery which could connote to the audience that the film will be sci-fi and superhero.
• The way the government is dressed in the dark suits with their "sleek" look, shows their sinister nature and influences the audience to feel dislike. 

How far do you agree with the comment that mass audiences are still passive recipients of media texts?

Passive thought within media is the mass audience subliminally/ unconsciously taking on the opinions and beliefs that the media inject. Censorship is used within media to prevent the mass audience being exposed to explicit contents. The Hays Code was introduced in the 1920s as they recognised their responsibility to mass audience to prevent explicit contents as media could inject audiences with thoughts that go against society and traditional views. For example it was unacceptable for Media to show such things as; white slavery, ridicule of the clergy, misusing the American flag and misusing words such a Christ, Lord or God in a rude way. Although we are not faced with same views that are unacceptable, our mass audience are still given restrictions on what we can watch- for example certain music videos are given an age restriction. As well as this "Watershed" within television is the time in which adult contents can be broadcasted; in the UK it is 9pm as this a time in which we expect children will be asleep. The reason why children are restricted to see this contents is because the Media are aware that they can subconsciously influence the audience to believe what is acceptable. Moreover we have been injected with the Media's perception of positive and negative stereotypes; genders views are different as mass audience has been told what is right and wrong for each gender.

I agree that mass audiences are still passive recipients of media text, to an extent because we are still given guidelines of what we should and shouldn't watch due to the influence it can have over a person subliminally. Moreover we have been desensitized as a mass audience to certain things which, if the Media did not show we wouldn't- for example violence.