Media Messages and Their Sources

Media Messages

• All media messages are created by specific individuals, typically the writers or creators, such as scriptwriters or photographers.
• Questions to consider: Who created the message? Who controls the content?

Audience

• Media messages are intended for audiences, with some reaching millions, like prime-time television shows.

Text and Subtext

• Text refers to the visible or audible elements of media, including words, images, sounds, and their arrangement.
• Subtext is the personal interpretation that individuals derive, influenced by their own experiences and values, leading to diverse meanings from the same piece.

Persuasion Techniques

• Media uses various techniques to persuade audiences to adopt specific beliefs or actions.
• No single media source presents the entire story; the perspectives of creators shape the narrative.

Media Language

• Media language is the method through which producers convey meaning through signs and symbols, leading to varied interpretations based on audience backgrounds.
• Denotative meaning is the literal interpretation, while connotative meaning encompasses broader associations linked to culture and personal beliefs.

Media Codes and Conventions

• Media codes are systems of signs that convey meaning when combined; they can be symbolic or technical.

Symbolic Codes

• Symbolic codes include characters’ language, actions, and iconic symbols (e.g., a red rose symbolizes romance).
• Setting refers to the time and place in a narrative, influencing mood and context.
• Mise en Scene encompasses all visual elements within a frame, including design, costume, and props.
• Color symbolism plays a significant role in interpretation, with various cultural associations.

Technical Codes

• Technical codes pertain to the methods of visual storytelling, including:
  • Camerawork: Operation, positioning, and movement of the camera for desired effects.
  • Editing: Selection and arrangement of images and sound for coherence.
  • Audio: Use of dialogue, sound effects, and music to enhance narrative impact.
  • Lighting: Manipulation of light to create mood and highlight scene elements.

Written Codes

• Written codes involve the formal language used in media products, including visible text and dialogues.

Conventions

• Conventions are standard methods of combining media codes, such as the expected order of titles and credits in films.

Explore the fundamental concepts behind media messages, including the role of the creator and the intended audience. Understand how different forms of media, like film and photography, communicate messages. This quiz will help you analyze who controls the content and how it reaches audiences.