Media Language and Audience Analysis

Study Notes

The way in which a media text communicates its meaning to the audience.
Similar to how we study English to understand written and spoken language, media studies explore how we communicate through images, sounds, and multimedia.

Refers to the group of consumers for whom a media text is created, as well as anyone exposed to it.
Target Audience: The specific group of people a media text is aimed at, based on shared characteristics (e.g., a political campaign targeting registered voters with particular political leanings).
Active Audience: The idea that individuals interpret media messages based on their personal experiences, perspectives, and history. (e.g., engaging with show creators through conventions, Q&A sessions, or writing letters).

Written Language: Represents spoken or gestural language through a writing system. Examples include headlines in newspapers, flash reports, and news article titles.
Verbal Language: Relates to how language is delivered. Context plays a significant role in how meaning is conveyed to the audience. Commonly used in broadcasting, television, radio, and films.
Non-Verbal Language: Involves body language such as gestures and physical actions. Understanding comes through the way actors use their bodies.
Visual Language: Communicates through visual elements rather than written language. It uses graphicacy (the ability to communicate visually) and can be expressed through paintings, drawings, symbols, or even just lines and shapes arranged for a specific effect. Examples include art, pictograms (symbols representing objects), and ideograms (symbols representing ideas).
Aural Language: Focuses on language as we hear it, distinct from "oral" language which refers to spoken language. Considered one of the most basic language skills alongside oral language.

Symbolic Codes: Shows what lies beneath the surface of what we see. Examples include objects, setting, body language, clothing, color, or iconic symbols that are easily understood.
A.1. Setting:* The time and place where the narrative takes place.
A.2. Mise en Scene:* Everything within the frame.
A.3. Acting:* Actors bring characters to life and drive the narrative.
A.4. Color:* Has strong cultural connotations and meanings. (e.g., In cinematography, color might suggest a specific time period. Switching from color to black and white is often done to create a sense of nostalgia or throwback.)