Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
ABC Figures
A
The Audit Bureau of Circulations is responsible for measuring the reach of different media across a range of platforms
2
Q
Active audience
A
This describes an audience who responds and interprets the media products in different ways and who actively engages with the messages encoded in the products.
3
Q
Actively purchased ciruclation
A
A term used by the industry to describe the copies of a magazine purchased by an individual. This includes single copy purchases, retail sales and subscriptions.
4
Q
Advertising Campaign
A
Run by an advertising agency, a campaign incorporates all of the ways in which a product, event or service is promoted to the audience.
5
Q
Advertising Spots
A
The spaces in commercial breaks that are sold to advertisers.
6
Q
Advertorial
A
An advertisement that is presented in the style of the media product in which it features.
7
Q
Algorithm
A
A set of steps or rules that are followed in order to make a calculation, solve a problem or complete a task.
8
Q
Alley
A
The space between columns of text.
9
Q
American Dream
A
The idea that every American can every equal chances to achieve their aspirations.
10
Q
Anchorage
A
The way in which a caption or piece of written text holds or fixes the meaning of an image in place, encouraging the reader to make a preferred reading.
11
Q
Android
A
A robot that looks like a human.
12
Q
Anthology series
A
A series that is a collection of free-standing episodes - each episode features a completely different set of characters and story.
13
Q
Artificial Intelligence
A
The branch of computer science that is concerned with the capacity of machines to simulate human behaviour by carrying out tasks and actions that normally require human decision making.
14
Q
Aspirational
A
Aimed at or appealing to people who want to improve how they look, attain a higher social position or have a better standard of living
15
Q
Audience surrogate
A
A character within the text that stands in for the audience. They may think as we do, or act as we ourselves might act in the same situation.
16
Q
Audio streaming
A
Where listeners can click on a link to play the radio programme instantly.
17
Q
Augmented reality
A
Computer-generated content overlaid on real-world environment commonly used in video games.
18
Q
Avatar
A
The player’s representation of themselves within the game.
19
Q
BBC Writers Room
A
Website that helps you format your script correctly.
20
Q
Below the line advertising
A
An advertising strategy in which a product us promoted on platforms other than radio, television, billboards, print and film.
21
Q
Billing block
A
A block of text that contains industry information, including actors, directors, producers, crew members, and population and distribution companies.
22
Q
Binary opposites
A
When products incorporate examples of opposite values, for example poverty and wealth.
23
Q
Binary opposition
A
Occurs when two people, ideas, concepts or values are set up in conflict with one another.
24
Q
Binge watching
A
Watching multiple episodes of a television programme in succession.
25
Biopic
A film about the life of a real person.
26
Blog
A regularly updated website or web page, usually posted by an individual or small group, written in an informal or conversational style.
27
Blogger
Someone who engages in blogging, which is the practise of updating or adding material to a blog. The term blog is short for weblog.
28
Brand
That which identifies one company’s products from those of another. The branding may be clearly identifiable by a name, logo or some other trademark.
29
Brand ambassador
A person, often a celebrity, who is paid to endorse or promote a particular company’s products or services.
30
Brand identity
The image that a brand projects and the associations the audience makes with the brand.
31
Brand recognition
The extent to which a brand can be quickly and easily identified. Brand recognition is often facilitated by visual codes such as logos.
32
Broadsheet
Describes a larger newspaper that publishes more serious news.
33
Burden of representation
The idea that when representations of particular social groups are limited, those few representation that do find their way into the media have to carry more weight as they end up standing in for entire groups or communities.
34
Buzz marketing
Can be simply termed 'buzz' and refers to word-of-mouth advertising whereby the interaction of consumers create a positive association, excitement and anticipation about a new product.
35
Call to action
An instruction that is issued to the audience with the aim of prompting an immediate response - the instruction 'subscribe now' or to click on a link, for example.
36
Canted angle
A shot filmed from an oblique or slanted angle
37
CAP Code
This is the advertising code that covers non-broadcast media. The Code is written by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and administered by the ASA. Its full title is the 'UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct and Promotional Advertising'.
38
Circular narrative
Where the narrative starts at the end and explores the action up to that point. It is sometimes only at the very end of the film or television programme that the narrative makes sense.
39
Circulation
A count of how many copies of a particular publication are distributed, including subscriptions. Circulation audits are provided by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC)
40
Classification
A rating given to a film, informing the audience of its suitability according to criteria that include levels of violence, sexual content and use of inappropriate language.
41
Cliff-hanger
A narrative device that creates suspense. It is typically used at the end of an episode or, in some cases, before an advert break, as its main function is to persuade the viewer to watch the following installment of the programme in order to find out what happens next.
42
Codes
These are signs contained within a media product that gives clues to a product's meaning.
43
Collaboration video
A video that features two or more content creators working together in collaboration.
44
Colloquialism
An informal expression that is often used in casual conversation rather than in writing. However, it is used in some media products to establish an informal communication with the audience.
45
Commissioning
To give a programme the go-ahead for production - to 'greenlight' it.
46
Conglomerate
A large organisation that has interests in spanning across a number of different businesses or industries.
47
Connotation
Refers to meanings we associate with the sign.
48
Consumable products
These are products that we use regularly and need to be replaced.
49
Consume
Another way of saying how an audience uses a media product.
50
Content analysis
A research method that provides quantitative data. It generally involves counting the number of times a particular feature appears in a given context.
51
Content creators
Those who are involved in creating and sharing content online.
52
Contexts
The aspects of the environment that surround a product at the time of its creation, distribution, circulation or reception and that may affect its meaning.
53
Continuity`
When one frame of your storyboard links to the next in a sequence, in order to effectively convey the narrative.
54
Continuity editing
To combine a series of shots into a sequence to create a clear and continuous narrative that can be understood by the audience.
55
Contrapuntal
Sound that does not match what is happening on screen.
56
Convergence
The process through which different media industries and forms merge with one another or move closer together. This process is often facilitated by digital technologies.
57
Copy
This is the writing on the media product.
58
Cover lines
The written text that features on the cover of the magazine providing a preview of the content the features inside.
59
Cross-platform marketing
When one form is advertised on another media platform.
60
CPRG
Computer role-playing game
61
Cultural competences
Within a media context, this concept suggests that the cultural competence of an audience is the shared knowledge, related to heir cultural understanding, of that audience, which means that they will take a particular pleasure from a media product.
62
Decoding
The process through which an audience interprets a message
63
Demographic profiling
A way of categorizing audiences by dividing consumers into groups based on age, sex, income, education, occupation, household size, marital status, home ownership or other factors. This information is of use to some media industries.
64
Denotation
The literal or common-sense meaning of a sign rather than the associated meaning of the sign.
65
Desensitization
This is a psychological process which suggests that audiences who are exposed regularly to acts of violence through films and video games, for example, are increasingly less likely to feel empathy or concern when exposed to violence, bad language or other forms of aggressive behavior.
66
Diegetic sound
Sound that is part of the mise-en-scene and can be heard by characters in the scene.
67
Diegetic world
The world in which the story takes place.
68
Digital influencer
Someone with a significant online following who has the ability to shape and influence the opinions or behavior of their followers.
69
Discourse
The topics and language used by a media text and the way they are used. There are certain topics that would never appear in certain types of media texts.
70
Disposable income
The money left when bills, etc. have been paid that can be spent on items such as luxury goods and non-essentials. The people with high disposable incomes can be targeted by advertisers.
71
Distribution
The link between the producer and the audience; refers to all the strategies used in the release, marketing and promotion of the product.
72
Diversification
This involves expanding a company's operations into new or different areas of business.
73
Domestic sphere
The private space of the home, as opposed to the public world of work, for example.
74
Dominant-hegemonic position
The position that the media encoder encourages the decoder to adopt when interpreting a text. If they adopt the dominant-hegemonic position they read or interpret the message in the way that the encoder intended, making a preferred reading.
75
Dominant ideology
A set of values and beliefs that have broader social or cultural currency. This may be implicit or explicit as is evident in texts such as tabloid newspapers.
76
Dual revenue streams
Media products that generate revenue from two different sources are said to have dual revenue streams.
77
Dynamic
Constantly changing, evolving and progressing.
78
Dystopia
A world or society that is as bad or dysfunctional as can be imagined - a world full of crime, violence or oppression.
79
Editing
The way in which the shots are put together to create a particular effect. Editing can be described in terms of pace and the transitions that are employed.
80
Editorial
The part of the newspaper written, supposedly, by the editor who comments on the day's stories. It offers and opportunity for the paper to express its views and to demonstrate its values, attitudes and beliefs.
81
Editorial philosophy
Refers to a magazine's underlying values, attitudes and beliefs, and the particular viewpoint that it adopts. The editorial philosophy helps to determine the style and content of the magazine. It influences decisions regarding what should and what should not be included in the magazine, and shapes and informs the magazine's mode of address and the way in which the content is presented to the reader.
82
Effect
The impact a code may have upon the audience.
83
Ellipsis
Where sentences are incomplete and instead are finished with a set of three dots; the words need to be filled in by the reader.
84
Emerging media
Refers to communication through digital technology and new platforms with interactive elements, for example podcasts, social media, etc.
85
Encode
Communicate ideas and messages through a system of signs
86
Enigma codes
Enigma codes are the questions or mysteries that a narrative sets up in order to make the audience continue watching.
87
Equilibrium
To do with balance, stability or order. In Todorov's theory, it refers to the status quo - a normal state of affairs.
88
Essentialisation
A process that involves ascribing certain traits or characteristics to someone by nature. As those traits are seen to be a part of that person's nature or essence, this means that they are fixed and can not be changed.
89
Ethnicity
Many people confuse ethnicity and race. Your ethnicity is defined by your cultural identity, which may demonstrate itself through customs, dress or food, for example. Ethnicity suggests an identity that is based on a sense of place, ideology or religion.
90
Ethnocentric
The application of the norms of one's one culture to that of others; an example of the way in which stereotypes reinforce the power of certain groups over others.
91
Event
Something that occurs or is about to occur and is of interest to an audience.
92
Event television
Describes programmes such as, for example, The Great British Bake Off that attract a large, live audience and as such become an 'event'.
93
Exhibition
All the opportunities available to an audience to view a film.
94
Exotic other
A term used to describe someone or something that is perceived to be different or 'foreign', where that difference or otherness becomes a source of fascination or pleasure.
95
Expert witness
Quotes from experts who the audience will trust.
96
Facial action coding system
A technique whereby computer technology is used to capture a plethora of high-resolution skin textures and different facial expressions.
97
First-run
A first-run programme is one that is available for public viewing for the first time
98
Flagship show
A programme that has particular importance for a channel or broadcaster.
99
Flexi-narrative
A narrative structure that combines aspects of the series and the serial. For example, while each episode may feature a self-contained narrative, character relationships may develop over the course of several episodes forming a broader story arc.
100
Fly-on-the-wall
A form of documentary film-making in which the camera is an invisible presence, positioning the viewer voyeuristically as an unseen observer - hence the term 'fly-on-the-wall'
101
Focus group
A form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes about a product. The aim is to help the producers of the product to ascertain in the needs of their target audience.
102
Foreshadow
To hint at something that will happen later in the narrative.
103
Forms
Different types of media.
104
Formulaic structure
Where the text has a clear structure that is recognisable and rarely changes.
105
Gantt chart
A time-tool; it is a chart in which a series of horizontal lines shows the amount of time allocated to a project and then maps the work done or production completed at various stages.
106
Gatekeeper
A person or organisation that is involved in filtering content in some way.
107
Gender norms
Cultural expectations regarding how men and women should act or behave - the patterns of behaviour that a particular society considers to be 'normal' for men or women.
108
Global implications
The importance of a product in a worldwide context.
109
Graphics
A precise type of design. For example, in media terms, the titles and credits in a film or for a television programme, or the seemingly hand-drawn but usually computer-generated images in a video game.
110
Gutter
The space between two pages of text in a magazine.
111
Hand-held camera
A style of filming whereby a decision has been made not to use the steadicam on the camera or a tripod but to allow the camera to move freely during filming. This gives a jerky style of filling that suggests realism and makes the audience feel involved in the action.
112
Hard sell
This is 'in your face' advertising. These adverts are usually short, loud and employ a direct mode of address. They give clear information about the product, for example the price and where you can get it.
113
High-concept film
This is a film that can be easily summed up. It is recognisable to audiences, easily marketable and high budget.
114
Hook
The element of a media product that catches the attention of the audience and draws them in. On a film poster it may be the image, the tag line or the copy.
115
Horizontal integration
When different companies that produce and sell similar products join together. This facilities production and distribution of media products.
116
House style
The distinctive 'look', aesthetic or visual style of a magazine, which helps to convey a sense of its brand identity.
117
Hybrid genres
These are media texts that incorporate features of moire than one genre.
118
Hyperbole
Exaggerated language used to create a dramatic effect.
119
Hyperlink
A word, phrase or image in an electronic document or web page that the reader can click on to navigate to a different part of the documents or a different page.
120
Hyper-masculinity
Where stereotypically masculine traits such as power, toughness or physical strength are presented in exaggerated form. In many cases this is conveyed symbolically through particular aspects of the iconography or mine-en-scene - cars and guns often function as symbols of masculine power.
121
Hypodermic syringe model
Also known as the hypodermic needle model. Now largely viewed as an outdated effects theory, which suggest that the audience are a mass that behave in the same way in response to a media product. The media product injects ideas into the mind of the assumed passive audience who will respond as one.
122
Iconic representation
The actual image of the product.
123
Iconography
The visual elements of a media product such as the props, costumes and settings that are used.
124
Ident
A graphic that conveys a sense of a channel's identity. It plays an important role in the visual branding of the channel.
125
In house
The companies that create the product also produce the advertising campaign and do not recruit an advertising agency.
126
Indépendant film company
A company that operates outside of the main film companies
127
Independent productions
In the broadcasting industry, these are productions that are produced by companies that are independent of the broadcasters.
128
Independent record label
A record label that is not necessarily linked to a major record label.
129
Industry context
This includes aspects of production, including the media organisation, production processes, distribution and marketing, and regulatory issues.
130
Intertextuality
When one text is used or referenced within another.
131
Inter-weaving plot strands
Some television dramas include three or more narratives in their opening sequences and then move the action between these narratives to keep the audience's attention.
132
Issue
An important matter or topic that is of public concern.
133
Jump line
Used at the end of a cover line. Usually tells the audience which page to turn in order to read the full story.
134
Juxtaposition
Involves placing two ore more items next to one another to create a meaningful effect.
135
Left wing
A term that refers to people whose views are left of the centre of politics. They believe that existing social inequalities must be addressed and they have more liberal political views.
136
Left-wing newspapers
Those that tend to support political parties such as the Labour Party and socialist policies that advocate social equality.
137
'Let's play' video
A recording of someone playing a video game, usually accompanied by some form of commentary.
138
Lexis
The specific type of language or vocabulary that is used.
139
Lifestyle magazine
An umbrella term for men's and women's magazines that are concerned with aspects of modern living such as fashion, beauty, health and fitness, culture, the home, etc. The ideology of these magazines tends to focus on consumerism and aspiration.
140
Mainstream publisher
The term applied to media producers who create products, such as magazines, that appeal to and therefore read by a broad number of people.
141
Mark of quality
In the case of films, usually the film logo, the director's name or references to other successful films made by this director. These are used to convince the audience that this new film is a quality product.
142
Masculinity
The state of 'being a man', which can change as society changes. It is essentially what being a man means to a particular generation. This is then reflected in media texts.
143
Masthead
The title of the magazine presented in the form of a logo.
144
Mean world syndrome
The idea that regular exposure to television can lead to a distorted view of the real world.
145
Media conglomerate
A company that owns other companies across a ranger of media platforms. This increases their domination of the market and the ability to distribute and exhibit their product.
146
Media language
The way in which the meaning of a media product is conveyed to the audience through a range of techniques.
147
Media/press pack
Put together by the owners of products, for example magazines and newspapers, and is intended to give information to advertisers. It informs them about the details of the assumed target audience, including income, marital status and age. It usually gives a pen portrait of the audience. The pack also includes the rates to place an advertisement in the print publication.
148
Meet-and-greet
An event at which a celebrity or public figure meets and interacts with their fans.
149
Metadata
The additional or contextual information that accompanies an online video, such as the title and description of the video as well as tags and thumbnails
150
Mise-en-scene
Everything that appears within the frame. This includes characters, iconography and graphics.
151
MMORPG
Massively multi-player online role-playing
152
Mobile first strategy
The practice of companies that design their products for mobile phones before making designs for traditional laptops and computers.
153
Mock-up
Used to describe the planning ideas that a professional designer may engage in before the final product is created.
154
Monetisation
The process through which a product or service - a blog or vlog for example - is converted into a source of commercial revenue.
155
Monopoly
A situation in which one company is able to establish total control or dominance within a particular market or industry.
156
Motif
A recurrent thematic element used by an artist and recognised by fans of the artist. It is usually established by the iconography surrounding the artist, including props, costumes and settings.
157
Multi-channel era
The idea that following the introduction of satellite and cable television in the 1990s and the rise of digital technologies, viewers now have a much wider range if channels to choose from.
158
Multi-channel networks
Organisations that curate a large number of channels, offering creators support in areas such as video production as well as marketing and promotion.
159
Narratology
Refers to the study of narrative structure and how this communicates meaning through, for example, common conventions and signs.
160
Narrowcasting
Unlike broadcasting, which addresses the needs of a mass audience, narrowcasting targets more specialised audiences.
161
Negotiated position
The position an audience takes if they acknowledge the broad legitimacy of the messages a media products contains but adapt those messages to better reflect their own experiences.
162
New man
A term that was introduced to describe a new era of masculinity. These men reject sexist attitudes; they were in touch with their feminine side and were therefore not afraid to be sensitive and caring, and could sometimes be seen in a domestic world.
163
News agenda
The list of stories that may be in a particular paper. The items on the news agenda will reflect the style and ethos of the paper.
164
Niche audience
A relatively small audience with specialised interests, tastes and backgrounds.
