MEDINFO-Notes-Types-of-Media-and-Genres-Codes-Conventions.pdf

TYPES OF MEDIA A. PRINT MEDIA PRESS Materials that are written and physically distributed Media consisting of paper and ink, reproduced in a printing process that is traditionally mechanical. It is considered the oldest form of...

TYPES OF MEDIA A. PRINT MEDIA PRESS Materials that are written and physically distributed Media consisting of paper and ink, reproduced in a printing process that is traditionally mechanical. It is considered the oldest form of media as it is closely tied to the emergence of the printing press. 1. NEWS PAPER Are printed publications (usually issued daily or weekly) consisting of folded unstapled sheets, containing news, feature articles, advertisements, and correspondence. 2. COMICS Comics is a medium of expression that communicates ideas via images, often combined with text or other forms of visual information. MARS RAVELO – Filipino Comics Writer 3. BOOKS - It is the very first mass media in human history. - printed pages glued or sewn together on one side, and bound in covers. It comes in any topic, from fiction to non-fiction to reference books. 4.BROCHURE - a type of small magazine that contains pictures and information about a product(s) or a company which can be folded into a template, pamphlet or leaflet. - Brochures are promotional documents, primarily used to introduce a company, organization, products, or services and inform potential customers or members of the public of the benefits. 5.MAGAZINES It is a periodical publication containing articles and illustrations, typically covering a particular subject or area of interest. B. BROADCAST MEDIA -Media that reach target audiences using airwaves as the transmission medium. 1. TELEVISION - a system for transmitting visual images and sound that are reproduced on screens, chiefly used to broadcast programs for entertainment, information, and education. 2. RADIO - a piece of electronic equipment used for listening to radio broadcasts. C. DIGITAL/NEW MEDIA - Require digital tools to be able to access them - Contents are organized and distributed on digital platforms 1. FILM -A film consists of moving pictures that have been recorded so that they can be shown at the cinema or on television. - The film as a media form is one that is considered impressionable a cathartic effect on its audience. - It is a very important cultural artifact because it reflects the desires, ideologies, and sensibilities of the culture to which they originate from. 2. SOCIAL MEDIA - computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. - By design, social media is internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content. Content includes personal information, documents, videos, and photos. PRINT BROADCAST DIGITAL/NEW Newspaper Television Film Comics Radio Social Media Book Brochure  Magazine MEDIA CONVERGENCE - happens when different (two or more) media sources join together. It allows media texts to be produced and distributed on multiple media devices. - It is the ability to transform different kinds of media into digital code, which is then accessible by a range of devices. MEDIA AND INFORMATION SOURCES 1. LIBRARY - A place with a collection of resources where literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale. Though it is not “just one click away” like the Internet, libraries also offer varieties of sources. Here are some of the resources/services libraries can offer: a. Books - can vary from educational textbooks like sciences, or fictional like Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling b. Magazines - some people prefer this kind of source because of its enticing graphics, which are most appropriate for visual learners. Examples are Time, Newsweek, National Geographic c. Newspapers - provide news articles about current happenings and timely issues. Play a vital role in providing people relevant information. d. Journals - are research-oriented articles. Offers deeper discussion of topics. e. Maps- are visual representations of geographical information e. Digital Sources - are digital information sources that the library can offer like CDs, tapes, and films. Four Major Types of Libraries: a. Academic Library – serves colleges and universities Ex: Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford b. Public Library – serves cities and towns of all types Ex: Bacolod City public Library c. School Library – serves students and teaching personnel Ex: CSAB Library d. Special Library – are in specialized environments such as hospitals, corporation, museums, private business, and the government Ex: CCP Library and Archives 2. Indigenous Sources Indigenous Knowledge - Refers to the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings. UNESCO emphasized that this kind of knowledge is the basis for agriculture, food preparation, health care, education, conservation, and the wide range of other activities. Characteristics of Indigenous Knowledge Oral tradition of communication Store information in memories Information exchange is face to face Information is contained within the border of the community Indigenous Knowledge include: A. Traditional Medicines and Health Care When it comes to health care, it is undeniable to say that indigenous people resort to different kinds of rituals, depending on the case. For example: Ethnic group, TINGGUIAN practices DAWAK, or the ritual intended for couples to bear child/children. Another ritual, is called UD-UDONG, which is to free a sick person from spirits that inhabit his or her body. Dumagat group believes in putting ashes on the umbilical cord of a new born, to help assist the healing process. B. Traditional Agriculture The Philippines is known as an agricultural country because of the massive production of different agricultural products like rice, corn, sweet potato, and others. In fact, even if modern technology has offered new and innovative methods of farming, ethnic groups still adhere to their traditional practices. C. Traditional Cultural Expressions - Cultural expressions are ways of indigenous people in practicing different activities that reflect their traditions. These are: Music and dances – used in rituals, ceremonies, or harvest festivities Literature – may be in legends, chants, proverbs, riddles, etc. Weaving – It is said that weaving is the most visual representation of cultures and traditions of different ethnic groups. This includes weaving textile, mat, basket, and rattan furniture. D. Related Genetic Resources Since the Philippines is rich in natural resources, it is normal that the country can actually offer not just a number of agricultural products, but different variations for each product. For example, rice has many variations that can be found in the country. Likewise, several kinds of medical herbs are also present. These, of course, are grown and cultivated by the primitive indigenous people. Republic Act No. 8371, “an act to recognize, protect, and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/Indigenous peoples, creating a national commission on indigenous peoples, establishing implementing mechanisms, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.” 3. World Wide Web - is an information system where various forms of information can be accessed in just a few clicks. Information can be easily retrieved and universally accessed around the globe. 4. Open-collaborative sources - is generated through the contribution and collaboration among users and moderators, can also serve as our preliminary data gathering, which we can verify. (ex. Wikipedia) 5. Social Media - is used to interact with families, friends, and networks and access information that they need. Here are some additional tips you can use, especially on internet-based research: 1. URL: You can check the credibility of the site just by looking at its URL. Personal pages such as blogger is not a bad thing, but you'll need to investigate the author. Also, check the website’s domain extension name such as.org (organization),.com (commercial),.gov (government). 2. Website links: The links found within the page can also give clues, such as About, Biography, and Related links. 3. Search on author and website reviews online. 4. Wikipedia may not be considered a good source of scholarly material since it is made by anonymous contributors without reviews or quality control. However, you can check the references used in the Wikipedia article for credible sources. What is genre? ▶ comes from the French word meaning ‘type’ or ‘kind’ ▶ characterized by grouping arts and media forms into recognizable categories of content Genre by: Vijay K. Bhatia ▶ Recognizable communicative event ▶ Characterized by a set of communicative purpose(s) ▶ Identified and mutually understood by the members of the professional or academic community in which it regularly occurs Role of genre in understanding media messages: Genre helps audiences, readers, and viewers to understand the message by merely looking at those signs that you can recognize and interpret. What are codes? CODES ▶ are systems of signs, which create meaning when put together. NOTE: Genre is not fixed or static. Factors that affect how media messages are interpreted: ▶ One's role in the society ▶ Group Purposes ▶ Professional and organizational preferences and prerequisites ▶ Cultural Constraints 1. Technical code ways in which equipment is used to tell the story (camera techniques, framing, depth of fields, lighting, exposure, and juxtaposition) The type of film shot, or the manner of capturing scene, or even the way the scenes are spliced and put together through editing suggests a particular meaning. When equipment is used to tell the story in a media text which consequently affects how you can interpret the meaning of that text, you are dealing with technical codes. You may find how the video editing technique, used in scenes in a film or in a television program affects the way we understand the narrative. Ex. A flashback would normally be shown in black and white or zoom in very quickly towards the subject. Technical Codes: Camera techniques refers to how the camera is used to tell a story. Framing is the placement and position of the subjects in the shots. Depth of field is the area of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind the subject which the lens is focused. Lighting refers to the natural and artificial light utilized by Filmmakers to produce dramatic effects. Exposure is the process of using light to create/enhance an image. Juxtaposition is placing two or more subjects close together with contrasting effect. Technical Codes Basic Camera Movements 2. Visual/Symbolic Codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see (objects, setting, body language,acting, clothing, color, etc. These codes suggest or connote, rather than explicitly state the meaning of a media message. The understanding of the message may depend on the receiver of the message. For instance, in a soap opera scene, you may see a character dressed in black and crying while seated on a rocking chair and caressing an object of importance to him or her. Because of your familiarity with the cultural symbolism of wearing black, you will begin to think that another character very dear to the one crying has passed away. Another example is when a drinking glass suddenly slips from the hand of a character which connotes a premonition that danger looms, trouble waits, or something shocking is about to be revealed. Symbolic codes are very effective in suggesting meaning because they utilize our sense of imagination and rely on our familiarity with cultural signs and symbols. 3. Written Codes The use of language style and textual layout For example, in newspapers, the layout speaks about the degree of importance of a news story with respect to other news stories. Captions, titles, slogans, taglines, and some other language elements are also utilized in a way that may suggest a particular meaning. This is more often dictated by editorial principles and policies of a particular news agency/organization 4. Audio Code codes related to sound. (Background music, sound effects, and voice-overs) Filmmakers make use of technical, written, audio, and symbolic codes in order to convey power. Understanding how a media material utilizes codes in order to communicate a message equips us with the capacity to evaluate information more critically. But what if the audience/receiver is unable to interpret the media codes and messages? This is when communication breakdown occurs. COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN happens when one of the communicators is not familiar with the signs and cues used by the other Effective use of a code is of utmost importance to prevent communication breakdown, and for a more effective communication. Media codes and conventions are like the building blocks of all the media around us. Media codes generally have an agreed meaning or connotation to their audience. When you are exposed to a certain message, often, you look for something recognizable or familiar for you to be able to make sense of what it means. Or, perhaps, when you watch an episode of a ‘telenovela’ that you do not regularly follow, you still seem to know the story even if you have missed certain episodes. Or, when you watch a film produced by a particular movie production house that resembles the same theme and structure of the narrative that you have watched before. All these examples pertain to a "formula" for content presentation. Formulaic messages are what they are because of the use of CONVENTIONS. What are conventions? ▶ refer to the generally accepted way of doing things that has formed into a habit because of repeated exposure and experience of these messages. Sometimes, a convention may prove to be a hindrance in critically assessing media content or messages because people may grow too accustomed to them and they do not see the values and biases that are embedded in the content. On the other hand, recognizing a convention may also be useful for keeping the audience's guard up. When you are able to spot the convention used, you may find it easier if there are any agenda or propaganda in media messages. NOTE: Each genre in television, film, and literature follow certain conventions that distinguish them from other genres. Audience, Producers, and Other Stakeholders: AUDIENCE refers to the group of consumers for whom a media text was constructed as well as anyone else who is exposed to the text. They serve as the ones who will accept and reject the given information. The AUDIENCE is the most important component in the field of media and information languages TARGET AUDIENCE is the group of readers, viewers, or listeners to whom a media text is specifically addressed because of a set of characteristics that they share, such as age, gender, profession, class, and interests. Without the audience, there will be no media and information languages. Different sectors usually fund a lot of research about the audience in launching or continuing their products and services. These different sectors refer to the PRODUCERS OR STAKEHOLDERS that will provide the products and services needed by the audience. The producers or stakeholders are concerned simply on a few demographics profile such as age, gender, and occupation. The life of a media product is based on the size of its audience. The more audience that they have, the longer they will be in the market.