media language Flashcards
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings:
what can semiotics be used for?
to analyse aspects of media language
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the urban setting of Luther immediately connotes?
realism
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the urban setting have links to?
intertextual references to other gritty crime dramas which audiences therefore have expectations of the narrative and themes
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does the settings also relate to?
characters
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does zoe’s office look like?
large and modern but lined with books
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does zoe’s office suggest?
her important role and her intelligence
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
what does luther’s workplace look like?
darker and more claustrophobic with a lack of natural light connoting his troubled persona.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
persona
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
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?
the differences between Zoe and Luther and the problems in their relationship.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings and location):
why does alice seen as the victim?
initial rural, comfortable setting misleads us to accept her as the victim.
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?
her power within the narrative with its view across London suggesting she is in control and omniscient
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what creates meaning?
the connotations of characters’ clothing and appearance create meanings
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?
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
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what does luther’s clothing suggest?
his rank within the police
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (visual codes, clothing):
what does luther being often dishevelled connote?
that he does not always conform to expectations and may be more of a maverick.
dishevelled
to describe the appearance of a person which their look looks messy, unkempt or unruly
maverick
someone who is unconventional, independent-minded and often behaves or thinks in ways that are different from established norms or expectations
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?
his inability to control his emotions, he can be violent and behave unpredictably
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)
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
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?
aspects of this personality and this contributes to tension within the narrative
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (codes of gesture and expression):
what does alice’s gestures reinforces?
her need to control and her psychopathic tendencies
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)
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.
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?
messages and ‘show’ the narrative
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?
information without the use of dialogue
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes):
what do close-ups do?
advance the relationships between characters and establish tension and a dynamic
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes):
what does the interview with Alice after the crime uses?
close-ups and shot-reverse-shot to communicate the change in Alice and the realisation in Luther that she is the perpetrator.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meaning (technical codes):
what does the camera establish?
give one example.
enigmas, for example the repeated shots of the murdered dog which initially seems unimportant, but whose role in the narrative is eventually revealed.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre):
what do crime dramas have a recognisable set of?
conventions
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre):
why will crime dramas evolve over time?
may be specific to a sub-genre, for example a psychological crime drama
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre):
what may the narrative be based on from a crime drama?
on a crime that needs to be investigated and solved.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre):
what theory is linked to the narrative conforming to?
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
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (genre):
what are the binary oppositions as a narrative element?
good vs evil
hero vs villain
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)
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.
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
why do they have settings and locations?
to establish realism including the police station, the crime scene and in Luther, urban locations
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what would contemporary crime dramas feature?
the home of the detective in order to develop their character
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what does luther’s home serves?
to reinforce his issues and instability
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
why is luther’s room sparse and seems temporary?
as he thinks he can repair his relationship with Zoe, even though this seems increasingly unlikely
consider how the various forms of media language create and communicate meanings (settings + locations):
what does the setting of the pre-like sequence establish?
the dark mood of the drama