Media and Information Languages

• What is media language?


  It refers to how media producers create and convey meaning to the audience.
• What is the primary focus of media producers in creating content?

  How they make meaning about the medium and transfer it to the audience
• What are the two types of meanings in media interpretations?

  1. Denotative Meaning: Literal meaning
  2. Connotative Meaning: Various interpretations suggested to the audience
• What does denotative meaning refer to?

  Literal meaning
• What is connotative meaning in media?

  Various interpretations that media suggests to the audience
• What are media codes?


  Tools used to construct meaning and systems of signs
• What are the four types of media codes?

  1. Symbolic
  2. Technical
  3. Conventions
  4. Writing
• What does symbolic media code represent?

  What lies beneath the surface of what we see
• What are the social aspects of symbolic media codes?

  • Setting: Time and place of the narrative
  • Mise en scène: Arrangement of objects within the frame
  • Acting: Character portrayal and development
  • Color: Cultural connotations of colors used
• What does mise en scène refer to?


  Everything within the frame, including arrangement of objects
• How does acting contribute to media narratives?

  Through facial expressions, body language, and vocal qualities
• What role does color play in media?


  It has strong cultural connotations and symbolism
• What are the technical media codes?

  • Camerawork: Camera operation and positioning
  • Editing: Manipulating and arranging images and sound
  • Audio: Expressive use of sound, including dialogue and music
  • Lighting: Natural or artificial to highlight elements
• What does camerawork involve?


  How the camera is operated, positioned, and moved
• What is the purpose of editing in media production?


  To choose, manipulate, and arrange images and sound
• How does audio contribute to media storytelling?


  By using sound expressively or naturalistically
• What is the role of lighting in media?


  To selectively highlight specific elements of scenes
• What are conventions in media?


  • A standard or norm governing behaviors
  • Established ways of doing something
  • Includes form, story, and genre conventions
• What are form conventions in media?


  Certain ways we expect types of media's codes to be arranged
• What are story conventions?


  Common narrative structures and expectations from media
• What are genre conventions?


  Common use of tropes, characters, settings, or themes in media