The Colour Theory & Semiotics

Camera Treatment

Media producers are able to create an atmosphere by the different camera angles and shot types they use, each angle and shot type shows a different frame of reference in each scene. For example, this could show the scene from a character's perspective (first person). Close-ups show detail and the actor's expressions, whereas long shots show the characters actions and their relationship with the surroundings. The establishing shot focuses on the location and usually sets the opening of a new scene.

Close up shots:

1. Extreme close up -  this would show only a persons face usually the eyes and mouth only, in intense detail. This generates an emotional viewpoint of the character to create a dramatic and suspenseful scene.
2. Big close up -  displays the persons face from a greater distance than an extreme close up, usually from the eyebrow down to the mouth, still not a full face close up but is in-between. This is usually used as a cut-in technique when transitioning scenes to allow the audience to get a better read of a characters facial appearance.
3. Close up -  shows the full face of a person or can be used to zoom in on an object. This is used to show the expressions of a person which allows the viewer to easily interpret what they are seeing, often blurred so the viewer fixates on the area where the producer wants them to look; creates the mise-en-scene showing very little background detail.
4. Medium close up -  shows the person or object in a more clearer vision, this is often used in interviews for dialogue sequences and mostly in movies to initiate the start of a scene. This allows the viewer to see body language, emotion and to pick up on the characters movements or facial expressions.

Medium & long shots:

1. Medium shot -  shows the person from the waist upwards, this allows the audience to see the characters body language and emotions that affect the top part of the body (creates a scene that makes the viewer feel as if they were standing right next to them).
2. Medium long shot -  shows the person from the knees upwards, used to allow the audience to see the character as well as their surroundings. Can include up to 3/4 people in one scene; allows the viewer to interpret characters relationships better.
3. Long shot -  shows the person head to toe (can be less, but still fits most of the frame), allows the audience to see the characters body movement, how they are represented in relation to the scene and atmosphere as well as their relationship with their surroundings (for example, a long shot in a horror movie where the murderer is close by to the character).
4. Very long shot -  shows the character from a great distance, allows the audience to scan the environment and surroundings. Also, lets the audience know where the location of the character is.

Other shot types:

1. Two shot -  shows the interaction between two people; their movements and actions, this allows the audience to understand the relationship between the two subjects. It is mainly used in interviews where both people are facing the camera or during scenes when a character is talking to a person directly.
2. Over the shoulder shot -  shows the perspective of one character viewing another, typically in a conversation. This allows the audience to see the emotions and expressions of a character from another's viewpoint. Angles are sometimes changed to get a better sense of the conversation from both standpoints.
3. Establishing shot -  unveils the location and used to set the opening of a new scene/sequence. This allows the audience to be able to position where the following scene is taking place.

Camera angles & narrative styles:

1. Pan -  when the camera follows the subject of interest moving from one side to the other.
2. Tilt -  when the camera moves vertically (up and down creating a tilting effect).
3. Zoom -  when the camera pulls in (becomes proximate to the scene) or pulls away (distant perspective), often used to reveal information.
4. Bird's eye view -  shows the scene from a perspective of a 'bird', high viewpoint/view from above looking down.
5. Worm's eye view -  shows the scene occurring facing upwards making it feel as if the perspective is from a ground angle. 
6. Dolly -  a continuous shot which requires the camera moving back and forth showing the subject of interest.
7. Handheld -  an innovative technique which involves the person recording to travel and record the scene alongside the subject creating a bouncy unsteady scene.
8. Objective treatment -  involves treating the viewer as an observer from an omniscient vantage point.
9. Subjective treatment -  involves treating the viewer as a participant, similar to a 'first person' perspective. The scene is displayed as if the audience is viewing the scene directly through their eyes.
10. Mise-en-scene -  attempting to show the relationship/contrast of the subject and objects in one scene; how they are arranged/set, portrayed and represented.
11. Montage -  shots which are compiled together and show the sequence of events that occurred during a period of time, often accompanied by music in the background for cinematic effect. 

Magazine Deconstruction

Deconstruction is to depict techniques media influencers (prosumers) have designed and to understand why they did it. This is my first time deconstructing a fashion magazine and a 'The Big Issue' magazine. I researched the different types of key terms and applied them to the source. After researching, I found that media platforms choose to present their product in a sense that it will appeal to only their target audience; for example on a fashion magazine the model would be wearing the latest clothing and the front cover could be a long shot to display the whole outfit. Similarly, in a music magazine, the model might be playing a musical instrument or a microphone or even dressed to resemble their music genre.

Magazine constructors also have a selling point, this means that the model will be seen from only the angle the magazine company thinks will advertise the product best. The genre of the magazine will need to be aesthetically subtle in order for the audience to be interested in buying the magazine. Media icons might also be seen on the front cover of the magazine to attract viewers (example below).

Media Representation

Representation is how media platforms choose to portray a certain group of individuals, this category can range from gender, age groups, social class, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion and social issues. The way in which the media "represents" these individuals is often stereotypical and may not be 100% accurate.

When a group is presented by the media, the prosumers often takes into consideration the ideal depiction of the individual (stereotype) and "re-present" them in a new context and in a way which they think is correct and represents them best, this allows the media text to be in charge of what the audience can interpret; this does not mean that the media presents people as how they really are.

Stereotypes are best examples of how the media chooses to represent someone or something. A stereotype is never 100% accurate or true, but slightly over exaggerated in terms of context. For example, a gender stereotype made by modern-day media could be that men are the better sex, they are meant to be strong and smarter than women. Another prime example would be a cultural stereotype, that all Muslims are terrorists.

The Male & Female Gaze

The male gaze is the representation of women in a sexualised manner; the director (often male) chooses to portray women as "sexy", "seductive" or "desirable" in order to catch the attention of the stereotypical heterosexual male, this is due to the stereotype that most women that are seen on media (that have the perfect shape or figure) represent a whole nations worth of females. Examples often include a shower scene in horror or action movies which illustrates an "ideal looking" female in the shower (undressing or already naked) who is overly sexualized. A feminist would often look at this concept from 3 different angles; how men look at women, how women look at themselves and how women look at other women.

The feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey came up with this theory of the male gaze as it suggests that the way women are viewed in cinema is "unequal" and only presents women in this type of demeanour for the pleasure of men. She also came up with the "3 Types of looking", this meant that there are 3 different perspectives/points of view of watching a sexualised female; the perspective of the camera whilst it records the scene, the perspective of the audience as they watch the scene and the way in which male characters view female characters. Mulvey also argued that women would either be objectified as a "sex object" or would just appear on screen as the powerless "damsel in distress" who needs saving. This was seen as a passive role that women would play, whereas men would play the active role.

The female gaze is the representation of men also in a sexualized manner, this is used to draw attention from a female viewers perspective. Similarly, this can also be seen as the director objectifying men and making them appear to be alluring and seductive. This theory is often disregarded by most feminists as it appears that the male gaze is far more occurring in the media industry, mainly for marketing and advertising purposes.

The Media Theoretical Framework & The 9 Forms of Media

Media comes in 9 different forms, this can vary from print media to online media. The 9 forms of media are:

1. Film
2. Advertising and marketing
3. Radio
4. Magazines
5. Video games
6. Music videos
7. Television
8. Newspapers
9. Online/social

In order for me to develop my understanding and techniques of the various forms of media, I first need to understand the concept of the media theoretical framework. The media theoretical framework is a series of factors I must consider whilst distribute my media designs, as well as when analyzing different media forms. These categories consist of:

1. Media language - the way in which text is constructed to create a specific meaning for a reader or the viewer of the text (this can be displayed by signs and symbols)
2. Media representation - the way the media portrays a certain group of individuals (age group, gender, social class, ethnicity, sexuality etc) 
3. Media industries - the way in which the processors of production, distribution, and circulation affect media forms and the media platform
4. Media audiences - how media forms target and approach their audience, how the audience or viewer interprets the text and responds to it and how the consumer can become the producer themselves allowing services to be more accessible
5. Media context - the background information of a piece of media (social, cultural, historical, political and economic factors surrounded by the media text)

My First Post

Hi, my name is Hajra and welcome to my Media Academic Journal. I will be posting my findings and work on this blog in the near future. Throughout my media course, I am expected to deliver the 9 forms of media through each component which consists of; media language and representation, practical preliminary tasks, media industries and audiences, news and long-form television drama.

The sole purpose of my blog is to show you, the viewers, what skills I can master and designs I can create throughout the following 2 years, as well as experiment with my innovative and unique skillset. My blog is aimed towards teenagers roughly around the age of 16; I have chosen this age group to appeal to the modern eye and also give pupils my age a chance to be heard. I believe that media is a source of socializing and letting your opinions and thoughts to be apprehended as well as expressing one's individuality.

Thanks for reading and make sure to keep up to date with my blog!