Terminology Flashcards
what is a denotation?
the literal or primary meaning of a word
what is a connotation?
an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
what is the language of codes?
semiotics
what did barthes say about texts?
all text communicate their meaning through a set of signs that need to be decoded by the audience
what are barthes five codes?
Action, Enigma, Semantic, Symbolic, and Cultural
what is an action code?
a refer tp any action or event which indicates something else is going to happen
what is enigma code?
where information is withheld from the audience
what is the semantic code?
connotations that give additional meaning beyond literal descriptions
what is the symbolic code?
semantic code but at a wider and deeper level, represents broader ideas
what is cultural codes?
external body of knowledge
what is genre?
a way of categorizing media text based on conventions they share
steve neale’s genre theory
- genres are instances of repetition and difference
- difference is essential to the economy of genre
- genres change, develop and vary as they borrow from and overlap one another
what are visual codes?
anything non verbal that communicates meaning
what are examples of visual codes?
Mise-en-scène - set design, lighting, space, costume, make up, acting
what are technical codes?
the way media is constructed including the use of cinematography and editing
what does camerawork include?
shot types, movements, angles and depth of field
what is lowkey lighting?
increased contrast, enhances shadows, uneven light source, dramatic and eerie
what is highkey lighting?
reduced contrast, all soft angles, little to no shadows
what is back lighting?
process of illuminating the subject from the back, creates a glowing effect on the edges of the subject, while other areas are darker
what is chiaroscuro lighting?
a film lighting style that emphasizes shadow and light
create tension between the light and dark elements
what is color temperature?
way to describe the light appearance provided by a light bulb. It is measured in degrees of Kelvin
what are audio codes?
a mix of sounds to connotate narrative
what is diegetic audio?
sound the emanates from the world of the story which is recorded in a studio by sound engineer
what is non-diegetic audio?
sound that does not originate from within the story which is added by sound editors in post production
what is contrapuntal sounds?
sounds that do not match a scene
what are parallels sounds?
sounds that match a scene
what is a narrative?
the way the different elements in a story are organized to make a meaningful story
what are the three types of narrative structure?
linear, non-linear and circular
what is circular narrative?
starts at the end and works up to that point
what is non-linear narrative?
disjointed narrative or disrupted narrative is a narrative technique
what is liner narrative?
chronological
what does todorov suggest?
all narratives share basic structure involving movement from one state of equilibrium to another
the two states of equilibrium are separated by an imbalance which needs to be resolved
what are the five stages of todorov’s narrative theory?
equilibrium - disruption - recognition - repair - return to equilibrium
Levi-Strauss Theory of Structuralism
meaning is dependent on pairs of oppositions and that the way these binary oppositions are resolved can have ideological significance
Propp’s Character Roles
Hero/Villain/Dispatcher/Princess/Donor/Helper/False Hero
what is Mode of Address?
tone and style of the written or spoken elements
what is formal moa?
- quality newspaper
- complex vocab
- target audience are more serious and sophisticated
what is informal moa?
slang, colloquial vocabulary and the personal pronoun to engage their target audience and make them feel as if they are talking directly to them.
what is direct moa?
where the subject of the text communicates directly with the audience
what is indirect moa?
audience don’t expect direct moa
