media language

Question 1

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings:
what can semiotics be used for?

Answer 1

to analyse aspects of media language

Question 2

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the urban setting of Luther immediately connotes?

Answer 2

realism

Question 3

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the urban setting have links to?

Answer 3

intertextual references to other gritty crime dramas which audiences therefore have expectations of the narrative and themes

Question 4

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the settings also relate to?

Answer 4

characters

Question 5

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does zoe’s office look like?

Answer 5

large and modern but lined with books

Question 6

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does zoe’s office suggest?

Answer 6

her important role and her intelligence

Question 7

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does luther’s workplace look like?

Answer 7

darker and more claustrophobic with a lack of natural light connoting his troubled persona.

Question 8

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
persona

Answer 8

refers to a character in the drama which may have distinct qualities, beliefs and behaviours which conveys a specific message, theme or perspective within a play

Question 9

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does these binary opposing locations also serve to illustrate?

Answer 9

the differences between Zoe and Luther and the problems in their relationship.

Question 10

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
why does alice seen as the victim?

Answer 10

initial rural, comfortable setting misleads us to accept her as the victim.

Question 11

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does alice’s flat later in the narrative establish?

Answer 11

her power within the narrative with its view across London suggesting she is in control and omniscient

Question 12

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what creates meaning?

Answer 12

the connotations of characters’ clothing and appearance create meanings

Question 13

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what does alice’s long red hair, wears red lipstick and dresses in suits or tightfitting clothing connote?

Answer 13

intertextual links with the femme fatale character, a stock character in early 20th century films - a mysterious, beautiful but villainous woman with dubious morals, who sets out to ensnare a man for her own ends

Question 14

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what does luther’s clothing suggest?

Answer 14

his rank within the police

Question 15

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what does luther being often dishevelled connote?

Answer 15

that he does not always conform to expectations and may be more of a maverick.

Question 16

dishevelled

Answer 16

to describe the appearance of a person which their look looks messy, unkempt or unruly

Question 17

maverick

Answer 17

someone who is unconventional, independent-minded and often behaves or thinks in ways that are different from established norms or expectations

Question 18

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what does luther’s gesture and expression often connotes?

Answer 18

his inability to control his emotions, he can be violent and behave unpredictably

Question 19

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what are examples when luther cannot control his emotions? (2)

Answer 19

when he goes to visit Zoe at her home and punches the door
his reaction to the call from Zoe telling him about her encounter with Alice when he proceeds to wreck his office

Question 20

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what does luther’s facial expressions and physical gestures convey?

Answer 20

aspects of this personality and this contributes to tension within the narrative

Question 21

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what does alice’s gestures reinforces?

Answer 21

her need to control and her psychopathic tendencies

Question 22

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what are examples when alice needs to control her actions? (3)

Answer 22

her arm around Zoe’s neck
the initial use and recurrence of the hat pin her hand reaching out to touch Luther’s face in her flat.

Question 23

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes):
what do the camera shots, movement and angles work together to communicate?

Answer 23

messages and ‘show’ the narrative

Question 24

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes):
what does Luther’s high production values and a cinematic style which is used to convey?

Answer 24

information without the use of dialogue

Question 25

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes): what do close-ups do?

Answer 25

advance the relationships between characters and establish tension and a dynamic

Question 26

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes): what does the interview with Alice after the crime uses?

Answer 26

close-ups and shot-reverse-shot to communicate the change in Alice and the realisation in Luther that she is the perpetrator.

Question 27

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes): what does the camera establish? give one example.

Answer 27

enigmas, for example the repeated shots of the murdered dog which initially seems unimportant, but whose role in the narrative is eventually revealed.

Question 28

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): what do crime dramas have a recognisable set of?

Answer 28

conventions

Question 29

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): why will crime dramas evolve over time?

Answer 29

may be specific to a sub-genre, for example a psychological crime drama

Question 30

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): what may the narrative be based on from a crime drama?

Answer 30

on a crime that needs to be investigated and solved.

Question 31

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): what theory is linked to the narrative conforming to?

Answer 31

Todorov's theory where the structure is linear from the initial disruption through to a resolution, or non-linear where time and space is manipulated

Question 32

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): what are the binary oppositions as a narrative element?

Answer 32

good vs evil hero vs villain

Question 33

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre): what does crime dramas have a set of recognisable character types of? (8)

Answer 33

a hierarchy with a boss a detective sidekick other characters, for example a victim, a range of suspects, the perpetrator of the crime and experts/witnesses who help in the solving of the crime.

Question 34

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations): why do they have settings and locations?

Answer 34

to establish realism including the police station, the crime scene and in Luther, urban locations

Question 35

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations): what would contemporary crime dramas feature?

Answer 35

the home of the detective in order to develop their character

Question 36

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations): what does luther's home serves?

Answer 36

to reinforce his issues and instability

Question 37

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations): why is luther's room sparse and seems temporary?

Answer 37

as he thinks he can repair his relationship with Zoe, even though this seems increasingly unlikely

Question 38

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations): what does the setting of the pre-like sequence establish?

Answer 38

the dark mood of the drama

Question 39

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (iconography): what is an iconography?

Answer 39

is related to a genre or to the character

Question 40

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (iconography): what does luther's overcoat become?

Answer 40

synonymous with his character

Question 41

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (iconography): what are other iconography in this episode?

Answer 41

crime scene tape a weapon uniforms denoting rank

Question 42

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (audio codes): why do they include non-diegetic mood music?

Answer 42

to evoke tension, dialogue incorporating lexis specific to the genre and sound effects to advance the narrative

Question 43

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (audio codes): why do they include non-diegetic mood music?

Answer 43

to evoke tension, dialogue incorporating lexis specific to the genre and sound effects to advance the narrative

Question 44

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): why does the set episode have a pre-title sequence?

Answer 44

explores events that have occurred earlier

Question 45

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): why does the set episode have a pre-title sequence?

Answer 45

to explore events that have occurred earlier

Question 46

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): what does the sequence establish?

Answer 46

tension from the start and the exposition sheds light on Luther's character, it also places the audience in a privileged spectator position.

Question 47

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): what do audiences have on for the narrative?

Answer 47

have expectations of how the protagonist may behave subsequently.

Question 48

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): how does the ep follow the conventional narrrative of a police procedural crime drama?

Answer 48

adopting a linear structure with key moments where the narrative is advanced.

Question 49

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): what happened when luther started to suspect alice?

Answer 49

when he visits Alice to tell her will find the weapon and the confrontation on the bridge between Alice and Luther, leaving a cliff hanger before the next ep

Question 50

consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (narrative): how are action codes typical to the crime genre?

Answer 50

they set in motion elements of the narrative, for example Alice finding the whereabouts of Zoe and threatening her causes Luther to react and embark on a particular journey

Question 51

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): what is the prop theory?

Answer 51

a character-driven narrative theory which suggests that characters influence a narrative and communicate meanings through cause and effect, the narrative progresses as a result of their actions.

Question 52

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): how do all characters have motives?

Answer 52

are revealed during the story arc and the narrative according to Propp, is driven by the need to achieve their goals

Question 53

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): what does Propp suggested that may be applied to Luther?

Answer 53

there were a range of narrative roles, some of which can be applied to characters in Luther.

Question 54

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): how does Luther demonstrates attributes of the hero figure?

Answer 54

established through the cinematography, framing, the narrative, and his interactions with colleagues.

Question 55

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): however, how does luther demonstrates traits of the anti-hero?

Answer 55

in that he is flawed and does not conform to expectations

Question 56

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): where is it established that luther is an anti-hero?

Answer 56

from the beginning when he lets Henry Madsen fall

Question 57

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): what do both alice and henry madsen perform as?

Answer 57

villains

Question 58

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): why is Madsen important?

Answer 58

although he only appears at the beginning of this episode, is a constant reminder to us that Luther is not a typical police detective, as in the opening scene the lines between villain and hero are blurred.

Question 59

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): why is alice revealed as a villain?

Answer 59

whilst initially appearing to be the damsel in distress is revealed as the villain with an astute mind and an ability to manipulate and control people and situations.

Question 60

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): how is Zoe both conforms to and subverts the role of princess?

Answer 60

She is married to the hero; she is threatened by the villain and needs the protection of a male character (Mark)

Question 61

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): how does zoe has her own power base?

Answer 61

she is a successful lawyer and has made the decision to leave Luther and is determined in the decision to take her life in another direction

Question 62

Theoretical perspective on narrative (Applying Propp): what does DC Ripley assumes the role of?

Answer 62

helper/sidekick

Question 63

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: what are the ways which the audience is introduced to the main characters?

Answer 63

through media language including cinematography, framing, and shot composition

Question 64

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: what is the first shot of Zoe? and what does it connote?

Answer 64

a bird's eye view of her office where she is several floors up and surrounded by windows, a typical motif connoting power and prestige

Question 65

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: what is in darkness?

Answer 65

Luther in the initial chase sequence

Question 66

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: how is Luther different from Madsen?

Answer 66

is indistinguishable from the villain, Henry Madsen

Question 67

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: what does alice's first shot portrays her as?

Answer 67

as vulnerable and afraid as she cowers, blood-stained in her home.

Question 68

consider how choice of elements of media language influences meaning: what conveys about their role and power within the narrative?

Answer 68

The paradigmatic choices that have been made regarding the characters and their settings

Question 69

paradigmatic

Answer 69

...

Question 70

How the choices of technical codes influence meaning in the interactions between characters and how this advances the narrative: what is one example?

Answer 70

when Luther interviews Alice at the police station.

Question 71

How the choices of technical codes influence meaning in the interactions between characters and how this advances the narrative: what does choices of elements of media language include?

Answer 71

gesture codes, expression and technical codes

Question 72

How the choices of technical codes influence meaning in the interactions between characters and how this advances the narrative: what does the choices of elements of media language show the audience?

Answer 72

the change in Alice from one of a vulnerable victim, to a potential villain who can manipulate the situation

Question 73

repertoire

Answer 73

all the music or plays, etc. that you can do or perform or that you know

Question 74

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: what does it mean if the elements recognisable to audiences?

Answer 74

fulfilling their expectations

Question 75

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: how useful was the elements?

Answer 75

useful in the marketing of the product

Question 76

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: what is the neale theory with the Luther?

Answer 76

although crime dramas rely on repetition of common conventions, they also vary and introduce different elements

Question 77

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: what are genres considered as?

Answer 77

dynamic

Question 78

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: how are genres developed?

Answer 78

over time to reflect social and cultural change

Question 79

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: what is one example of the development of genre?

Answer 79

Luther addresses the changing roles of women and cultural diversity.

Question 80

consider theoretical perspectives on genre, including principles of repetition and variation; the dynamic nature of genre; hybridity and intertextuality: what is the neale theory related to the genre?

Answer 80

has become less easy to categorise certain programmes as they borrow from other genres and hybridise

Question 81

principles of repetition

Answer 81

the repeated use of particular elements of visual arts to create a pattern, movement, rhythm, or unity .

Question 82

principles of variation

Answer 82

the use of the elements of visual arts to create differences in an artwork for visual interest

Question 83

what is the dynamic nature of genre?

Answer 83

genres are not 'set in stone', they change and develop over time

Question 84

what is hybridity?

Answer 84

...

Question 85

what is intertextuality?

Answer 85

...

Question 86

why do genres use intertextuality?

Answer 86

to engage with audiences

Question 87

what does luther incorporates elements of?

Answer 87

American police procedural and film noir through cinematography and the character of Alice as the femme fatale

Question 88

Consider the importance of close-up shots and the yawn in this scene and how this rapidly advances the narrative and displays Luther's skill as a detective: what do the close-up shots in cinematography often focus on? why do they do this?

Answer 88

the facial expressions, eyes, or specific details of a character, and they are used to convey emotions, thoughts, or reactions.

Question 89

what do the close-ups of Luther's eyes and facial expressions demonstrate?

Answer 89

his intense concentration and analytical thinking. They highlight his dedication to his work and his ability to dissect intricate crime scenes therefore has intense focus

Question 90

what does Luther's expressions in close-up shots reveal?

Answer 90

the emotional depth and the emotional toll that his job takes on him.

Question 91

how does the series portrays him as?

Answer 91

a complex character dealing with inner demons and personal struggles

Question 92

how do the close-up shots show his observational skills?

Answer 92

he often notices small, crucial details that others might miss

Question 93

what do the close-ups help viewers to see?

Answer 93

the world from his perspective

Question 94

what may the yawn contrast with?

Answer 94

the intense, focused demeanor of Luther in the close-up shots

Question 95

what does it suggest as the contrast can be used to create suspense and intrigue?

Answer 95

that Luther is always vigilant and prepared for the unexpected, even when he appears relaxed.

Question 96

what does the yawn being a character-building moment suggest?

Answer 96

that Luther's mind is always active, even when he appears to be at rest. This supports the portrayal of Luther as a brilliant but tormented detective.

Question 97

what can a well-timed yawn create a sense of?

Answer 97

rhythm in the storytelling, making the scene more dynamic and engaging. It might signal a shift in the narrative, introducing a new element or challenge