Topic 6: Introduction to Media and Information Languages

In media and communication, language goes beyond just words. Media languages include the codes and conventions used to create messages, as well as the ways in which audiences and producers interact. Understanding how these elements function together is crucial in analyzing media content and producing effective messages.

Lesson 1: Definition of Language

Language pertains to the technical and symbolic ingredients or codes and conventions that media and information professionals may select and use in an effort to communicate ideas, information and knowledge.

Lesson 2: Definition of Media Languages

Media Languages are codes, conventions, formats, symbols and narrative structures that indicate the meaning of media messages to an audience.

Lesson 3: Definition of Codes

·       Codes are systems of signs that when put together create meaning.

·   Codes refer to the signs, symbols, or elements used to convey meaning in media. These can be visual (e.g., colors, symbols, images), auditory (e.g., sounds, music), or linguistic (e.g., words, phrases).

Examples of Codes:

·   Visual codes: A red stop sign symbolizing "stop" or danger.

·   Auditory codes: A loud alarm indicating urgency or danger.

·   Linguistic codes: Catchphrases or slogans used in advertisements.

Semiotics - study of signs.

Types of Codes:

·   Symbolic Codes

·   Written Codes

·   Technical Codes

Symbolic Codes

Symbolic Codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see (objects, setting, body language, clothing, color, etc.) or iconic symbols that are easily understood.

Written Codes

Written Codes use of language style and textual layout (headlines, captions, speech bubbles, language style, etc.)

Technical Codes

Technical Codes include sound, camera angles, types of shots and lighting. They may include, for example, ominous music to communicate danger in a feature film, or high-angle camera shots to create a feeling of power in a photograph.

Camera Shots

·       Extreme Long Shot

·       Long Shot

·       Medium Long Shot

·       Full Shot

·       Medium Close Shot

·       Close Up Shot

·       Extreme Close Up Shot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGBTJT5wpM

EXTREME LONG SHOT

Also called extreme wide shots such as a large crowd scene or a view of scenery as far as the horizon.

LONG SHOT

It is a view of a situation or setting from a distance.

MEDIUM LONG SHOT

It shows a group of people in interaction with each other, example: fight scene with part of their surroundings in the picture.

FULL SHOT

It is a view of a figure’s entire body in order to show action and/or a constellation group of characters.

MEDIUM CLOSE SHOT

It shows a subject down to his/her chest/waist.

CLOSE UP SHOT

It is a full-screen shot of a subject’s face showing the finest nuances of expression.

EXTREME CLOSE UP SHOT

It is a shot of a hand, eye, mouth, or any object in detail.

Point of View

·       Establishing Shot

·       Point-of-View Shot

·       Over-the-Shoulder-Shot

·       Reaction Shot

·       Insert Shot

·       Reverse-Angle-Shot

·       Hand-Held Camera Shot

Establishing Shot is often used at the beginning of a scene to indicate the location or setting, it is usually a long shot taken from a neutral position.

Point-of-View Shot shows a scene from the perspective of a character or one person. Most newsreel footages are shown from the perspective of the newscaster.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot often used in dialogue scenes, a frontal view of a dialogue partner from the perspective of someone standing behind and slightly to the side of the other partner, so that parts of both can be seen.

Reaction Shot is a short shot of a character’s response to an action.

Insert Shot is a detail shot which quickly gives visual information necessary to understand the meaning of a scene.

Reverse-Angle is a shot from the opposite perspective.

Hand-held Camera Shot is not mounted on a tripod and instead is held by the cameraperson, resulting in less stable shots.

Camera Angles

·       Aerial Shot

·       High-Angle Shot

·       Low-Angle Shot

·       Eye-Level Shot

·       Underneath Shot

·       Dutch Angle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR6EG1qDDbI

Aerial Shot or Overhead Shot also called Bird’s Eye Shot. Long or extreme long shot of the ground from the air.

High-Angle Shot shows people or objects from above higher than eye level.

Low-Angle Shot or Below Shot shows people or objects from below, lower than eye level.

Eye-Level Shot or Straight-on Angle views a subject from the level of a person’s eye.

Underneath Shot a camera angle where the camera is positioned directly below the subject, looking up at them. It's an unusual and extreme angle that's not often used in film and television.

Dutch Angle a camera shot that tilts the camera on its x-axis to create a disorienting, off-kilter, or uneasy look.

Camera Movements

·       Pan Shot camera pans (moves horizontally) from left to right or vice versa across the picture.

·       Tilt Shot camera tilts up (moves upwards) or tilts down (moves downwards) around a vertical line.

·       Tracking Shot camera follows along next to or behind a moving object or person.

·       Zoom stationary camera approaches a subject by “zooming in” or moves farther away by “zooming out”.

·       Dolly moves the entire camera toward a subject.

·       Crane can rise or lower the camera to achieve dramatic changes in height.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R994JUx7PJ8

Lesson 4: Conventions in Media

Definition of Conventions in Media: Conventions are the established, predictable ways of structuring media content. They are the rules and norms that help make media understandable. In the media context, refers to a standard or norm that acts as a rule governing behavior. Are generally established and accepted ways of doing something.

Examples of Conventions in Media:

·   In television: Commercial breaks, opening sequences, and segment structures.

·   In journalism: The use of headlines, subheadings, and inverted pyramid structure for news writing.

·   In film: The use of a three-act structure (introduction, climax, conclusion).

Lesson 5: Messages in Media

Definition of Messages in Media: Messages refer to the information or meaning that media producers intend to communicate to the audience. These messages are shaped by the codes and conventions used in the media production. It is the information sent from a source to a receiver.

Example of Messages in Media: A public service announcement on smoking cessation might use graphic images (visual codes), a serious tone (auditory codes), and facts or statistics (linguistic codes) to communicate the harmful effects of smoking.

Lesson 6: The Role of Audience, Producers, and Stakeholders

·   Role of Producers: Media producers create content with specific intentions, such as informing, entertaining, or persuading their audiences. Producers often consider the needs and preferences of their target audience when designing media messages. These are people engaged in the process of creating and putting together media content to make a finished media product.

Examples: Filmmakers, journalists, advertisers, and social media influencers are all considered producers of media content.

·   Role of Audiences: Audiences are the recipients of media messages. They interpret these messages based on their own experiences, values, and cultural background. Understanding how different audiences decode messages is important in creating effective media content. It is the group of consumers for whom a media message was constructed as well as anyone else who is exposed to the message.

Example: Different age groups or cultures might interpret the same advertisement or news story in various ways, based on their social context.

·   Role of Stakeholders: These include individuals or organizations that are affected by or have an interest in media content. This may involve advertisers, government regulators, media critics, and the general public. These are Libraries, archives, museums, internet, and other relevant information providers.

Example: Advertisers rely on media producers to reach their target demographic, while media critics might evaluate the effectiveness or ethical implications of a media message.