2nd CD cover

1st CD cover

CD cover drafts

This is my draft of a CD cover for the artist Tom Odell

This is my draft CD cover for The Stone roses

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Textual analysis

Mumford and sons - The cave

Technical codes

Camera angles-

• Mid shot: this shot is used to frame the character with a medium level of detail. Allowing a high level of description over a fairly large space. This shot also frames the character as important for the time they are on the screen.
• Long shot: These shots are used to compare the character with the background and give an equal amount of detail of each. These shots are good for establishing setting. These are used a lot throughout the video so that the entire band is caught in the shot.
• Low angle: this shot is used throughout the video. In this video it is used when framing the foot stomps of the band. These stomps are synced with the music, linking the video with the music and making the video effective.

Lighting-

• Low key lighting: There is a large amount of low key lighting with a high level of exposure contrast. This is also mixed with a sepia filter to create a mellow, thoughtful editing style. This links to the music because the artists music style is very relaxing, folk style chillout music.
• Soft lighting: The light throughout this video is hugely soft. This creates a very mellow image appealing to the the audience of this music.

Visual codes

Clothing: the clothing in this video is very 'normal'. There are no certain styles of clothing. This is because the video is set in everyday life, following the band through their Journey.

Body language: The body language is fairly calm linking to the music genre. The body language throughout is also very music orientated as the majority of the video is the artist performing. This links heavily to their music in an obvious way. 

Editing

The tempo of this music is fairly calm. This is emphasized with the editing of the shots. There is a large amount of very lengthy clips throughout this video these are used in the slower parts of the song to synchronize with the song.

Textual analysis 2

Ben Howard - The wolves


Technical codes

Camera angles-

• Low angle: this shot is used towards the beginning of the video. This angle is usually used to show authority and to represent a character as powerful or as an aspiration. In this video it actually shows the main character as outgoing when mixed with his body language.
• Mid shot: this shot is used to frame the character with a medium level of detail. Allowing a high level of description over a fairly large space. This shot also frames the character as important for the time they are on the screen.
• Long shot: There are a lot of long shots between 0:20 and 0:40. These shots are used to compare the character with the background and give an equal amount of detail of each. These shots are good for establishing setting.

Lighting-

• Low key lighting: There is a large amount of low key lighting with a high level of exposure contrast. This is also mixed with a sepia filter to create a mellow, thoughtful editing style. This links to the music because the artists music style is very relaxing, folk style chillout music. This is appealing to the target audience.

Visual codes

Clothing: the clothing in this video is very 'normal'. There are no certain styles of clothing. This is because the video is set in everyday life, following Ben through his everyday life as a musician and performer.

Body language: the body language throughout is very music orientated as the majority of the video is the artist performing. This links heavily to "Ben's" music in an obvious way. 

Textual analysis of Shank

Visual codes
Body language
Clothing
Facial expression

Technical codes
High angles
Low angles
Sharp frame changes
soft Low key lighting
Close-up shots
Mid shot
Long shot
Pan camera movements

Audio codes
Diegetic
Non Diegetic
Ambience

Purpose and effect 

Visual codes-

• Clothing- This film is based on a  chaos ridden London in the future where the police no longer restrain the gang violence of the city. The clothing is used to outline this and show that the characters are in fact part of this atmosphere. These clothes are tattered and worn. Also the clothes are sporty. Largely associated with lower class in casual wear.
• Body language- The negative body language in the scene of 0.34.00 shows anger and regret in the characters. This creates the atmosphere for the following scenes and informs the audience of the intent of the characters. This helps to create a disequilibrium for the film to explore. 

Technical codes-

• High angle- This angle shot shows the character 'Tugz' to be malevolent and menacing. This shows him to be the antagonist of the storyline and makes it obvious to the audience.
• Low angle- This shows the character junior to be the weaker character of the scene (00:10:00-). This makes the audience perceive this character as vulnerable and creates emphasis for him in the scene.
• Transitions- In the opening scenes of the film there is a chase scene. To set a high tempo the clips are editing together in short duration with hard snappy transitions. This creates a high amount of tension in the scene. This is helped by the non diegetic sound.
• Lighting- The lighting in the opening scenes of this film are lit fairly softly. This soft lighting helps to create a dark atmosphere and setting for the film. This film also uses a lot of low key lighting. This dark light helps to set the dim mood.
• Close ups- Close ups are used in the beginning of this film to emphasize the mood and intent of the characters. For example in the very first scene of this film there is a shot that is closed on the face of 'Tugz' the antagonist. This shot shows the characters facial expression and this helps inform the audience, along wit the narrative, of Tugz part in the plot.

Female orientated magazine Textual analysis

The phrase 'female orientated' refers to something that is targeted via certain conventions and
stereotypes that appeal to certain gender types.

The target audience for 'Cosmopolitan' is stereotypically women. We know this because there is usually a female model posed in a very aspirational pose. This is then solidified by the feminine colour scheme. The topics within the magazine are also very important in defining of an audience. The topics of this particular magazine are very feminine, sexual topics and also female fashion.

 

 

The title of this magazine is very well established in the female magazine world. The conventions of the masthead are what inform the audience of the name without actually reading it. The masthead of this magazine is made up of a very soft, curved edged, circular font. This is usually subconsciously received as appealing to feminine types. The masthead is overlaps the model on this particular cover suggesting that the title of the magazine is very important, this is unusual with magazines containing celebrity models because they tend to make the celebrity the centre selling point. The use of this overlapping may represent the fact that Cosmopolitan doesn't in fact rely on the celebrity guest but its title to sell to the audience. This reinforces the importance of cosmopolitan in the print industry.

Main Image

The model in the main image is Angelina Jolie. This actress is well known and very looked up to   in the feminine world because of her appearance and success. Females aspire to be like her. The model, in terms of an idol, appeals to the feminine audience because they aspire to look the same and view the model as an ideal. The use of a famous model promotes the magazine via relation (The fact that the A list celebrity wants to be on the cover shows the importance of the magazine title). This helps to sell the magazine.
          The body language of 'Angelina' is very powerful. She is posed with her face directly facing the camera. This presents the actress as powerful. She is almost making direct eye contact with the camera lens (creating the effect of eye contact). This links the reader with the model making the reader more interested in the magazine.
          The facial expression is also important. This model is known for her beauty. The models left eyebrow is slightly raised. This inflammation creates an idea of superiority. This makes the audience, indirectly, feel insubordinate. In hand creating a desire to be equal to such a beautiful woman. This feeling attracts the audience to purchase the magazine.
          All of these aspects, including model selection and her representation link to Katz and Blumer's
theory of 'Use and gratification'. The specific use of this magazine cover is personal identity. This means the audience wish to distinguish as similar to the model.

Colour scheme

The colour scheme on this particular magazine is very female orientated. The use soft, pink and purple, pastel like colours appeal to feminine audiences because we are socially programmed to believe these softer colours are stereotypically pleasing to female audiences (we subconsciously read this when viewing these colours on a magazine).
          A connotation of the colour pink is beauty. In todays society beauty is perceived to be very important. Linking this colour to the magazine title links the magazine with beauty. This targets the female audience by linking the magazine to beauty.
          A connotation of the light purple on this magazine is passion. Woman are stereotypically passionate and find the idea of passion attractive. Link the magazine to this passion makes the magazine desirable.
 

Cover lines

The cover lines on this are based on topics archetypically related to women. These topics are fashion ('621 beauty and fashion buys'), self image ('learn to love your body') and relationships ('can you cure a violent man').
          The topic of fashion is usually associated with women because of society. Even though this stereotype is now almost void, using stereotypes such as these on magazine covers helps to sell because of the 'use and gratification' of personal identity. Women will see read the topic wanting to apply the subject matter to their own appearance.
          The topic of self image is largely associated with women due to the ideology within media today. The extreme ideology of female appearance is "thin is beautiful". This idea is used everywhere in modern media and this makes women, stereotypically, want to adjust their image.
          The topic of relationships is linked to women because of their tendency to discuss relationships more. It is believed that women talk a lot more than men. This magazine has used this to make itself appealing to their audience. By discussing relationships within the magazine, women are targeted.


 

Male Orientated Magazine Textual analysis

A male orientated is a magazine designed to specifically appeal to male viewers. The magazine will appeal to a specific audience when the conventions are targeted to do so. Each of these convention will be suitably tailored.



Masthead

FHM is very well established in the 'Lads mag' world. This Masthead is being blocked by the model. The conventions of the masthead inform the audience of the name without needing reading it. The masthead of this magazine is made up of a very blocky, sharp edged, square font. This is usually subconsciously received as appealing to masculine types because of its aggressive nature. The reason the masthead is being blocked by the model  in this instance is because the model is the main attracting tactic used by the magazine.

Main Image

The model in the main image is Tamara. This actress is well known and very admired in the male world because of her attractive appearance. The model, in terms of a sex image, appeals to the masculine audience because they enjoy seeing the model in a provocative manner. The use of a famous model promotes the magazine by revealing somebody well known to the audience in a sexual manner. The reason this may be so effective is because of the male tendency to fantasize. This actress stars in films of a fairly tame nature. If a man were to find her attractive in said film they may wish to see her in the way she is presented on this magazine. This is the main hook of the magazine cover.
           The body language of 'Tamara Ecclestone' is very powerful. She is posed in a very provocative way. She is leant forward in this image. Leaning forward emphasizes her chest which is a major attractive tactic implemented by the magazine. This is then reinforced with the use of lighting. The models chest is highlighted with direct light making it more obvious and immediately eye catching. She is looking directly at the camera lens (creating the effect of eye contact). This makes the audience, subconsciously, feel in touch and related to the model, emphasizing the sexual attraction.
          The facial expression is also important. This model is known for her beauty. The model is pulling a very serious face. This could be received as powerful and sexy. This combined with the use of eye contact creates a very seductive image.
           All of these aspects, including model selection and her representation link to Katz and Blumer's theory of 'Use and gratification'. The specific use of this magazine cover is entertainment. The audience is entertained by the image and therefore attracted to the magazine.

 

Colour scheme

The colour scheme on this particular magazine is very male orientated. The use of hard, reds and blacks appeal to feminine audiences because we are socially programmed to believe these colours are stereotypically pleasing to male audiences (we subconsciously read this when viewing these colours on a magazine). This is because of the connotations of the colours.
          A connotation of the colour red is danger and power. This appeals to men because of their natural wanting to be alpha male. This links to the image because of the themes of lust and sex. 
         The blacks and greys are used on this magazine to frame and emphasize the red. This emphasizes the appealing aspects of the magazine.
         The layout of these colours on this magazine are as such to frame the model and draw attention to her most appealing attributes. This is most obvious with the top cover line. The top cover line is red this is the brightest colour on the page and it is positioned very closely to the highlighted chest of the model.
 

Cover lines

The cover lines on this are based on topics archetypically related to men. These topics are sex ('20 new sex tips for 2007') and nude women ('Tamara Ecclestone').
          The topic of sex is usually associated with women because of society. Even though this stereotype is not necessarily true, men tend to be more vocal and openly interested in sex. By adding this obviously attractive (to men) element, men may be swayed to purchase the magazine. This cover line also entails the information to improve in bed. Which is also typically a male interest and is a hook to purchase the magazine. This links to the use and gratification of information.
          The topic of nude women is largely associated with men due to the their natural attraction to women. This is very effective in the lads magazine world because of men's natural desire to view women nude. Women models tend to adhere to ideology and conventions. Such as large breasts, thin and beautiful.         
          

Uses and gratifications 

P - Personal Identity 
I  - Information

E - Entertainment

S - Social Integration

Social integration

This use/gratification refers to an audience that views a program to be able to socialize via discussing its contents with friends. 

A media form that I can relate this to is FourFourTwo magazine. This magazine also uses the two step theory.

Uses and gratifications

P - Personal Identity
I  - Information

E - Entertainment

S - Social Integration

Entertainment  

Entertainment refers to an audience that view a media type for entertainment value. This is a common use/gratification. A media form that I can relate this to is Soccer am. This is also a common information form. This media form uses the passive two step flow theory by relaying information that can be discussed and referring to video clips that can be viewed later in time. They also have guest celebrities on the show which also use the two step flow as people who view soccer am will be encouraged to view the program.

Uses and gratifications

P - Personal Identity
I  - Information
E - Entertainment
S - Social Integration

Personal Identity

Personal Identity is a passive when a member of the audience is so because they relate to the program and identify themselves as such.

A program I personally would relate to this use/gratification would be Skins. I believe some of the lifestyles of some of the characters are related to my life because we are roughly the same age.

This program has an element of the cultivation theory. This program is fairly shocking but increased exposure desensitizes the audience.

Uses and gratifications

P - Personal Identity
I  - Information
E - Entertainment
S - Social Intergration

Information

This use/gratification refers to the audience viewing the media type to receive information. An example of this in my life that I can relate to is the Nuneaton news. I confer with this media type on a weekly basis to check the latest sunday league football scores and goal scorers.

Representation of age throughout the media

One form of media that represents age in the media is the TV program 'Skins'. Skins is the story of a young adolescent friendship group. These young people are shown to take drugs frequently, have sex constantly and fight all the time. This is a negative representation of young people in our society.

Representations of race/religion throughout the media

Family guy is well known for its controversial jokes. A Religion that is represented through these jokes often is Judaism. The people of this religion are mocked and questioned constantly throughout Family guy episodes. This is usually a bad representation of 'jews'.


Family guy also jeers at many races throughout its episodes. One very well known episode is the conflict episode between 'Peter' and 'Mr Washee Washee'

Classes. 

Upper class
Middle class
Working class
Lower class

Representations of classes throughout media.

The lower and working class are poorly represented on this program. Shown as slobs and benefit frauds, this program tells the story of a group of friends' ordinary lives and the comical moment woven throughout.

Hey.
I am currently studying AS level media at King Edward VI 6th form nuneaton and this blog is set up for the purpose of sharing my progress.

What is the form of media that has most effected me recently?
The answer to this is simple. The music video of Arctic Monkeys newly released single - "Why d'you only call me when you're high". This weird and surreal video entails the story of one, alex turners late night calls to a, stephanie and his rejection.