-start of Quiz 3 material
Media and Meaning Human communication as a series of signs Semiotics--A 'sign' (anything that conveys meaning) is composed of: o Signifier=a symbol/word/sound...something that the meaning can travel through o Signified-must refer to something (what is evoked in the mind-mental concept) Sign= signifier / signified
Realism, Really . What do we consider 'realistic'? o Continued investment in things that "show us real life' o "Media is a direct mirror of society" = MYTH What is realism? o Realism is a set of techniques that media makers can choose to adopt o Realism is not natural, it is something people do o Realism is composed of many things, not one single concept/definition Match between what individual assumes and what mediamakers do/create
Media creating realism Dramatic look o Invisible observer eavesdropping on another world, like we are part of it o Invisible storytelling (Classic Hollywood Style)-unaware of cameras Documentary look o Capturing events/unpredictable occurrences; messy, uncontrolled o Visceral pleasure of "being there"
Elements of Realisms : Apparent spontaneity
- Shaky camera, motion in frame, "available lighting"
- Background noise, actor improve o Mundane moments in story, "real life" Interpretive frame o Audience expectations - Previous media experiences : Conventions of genre, style o Production contexts : 'Based on a true story" : Journalistic contract
(Re)Defining Texts 'Sign' = Signifier + Signified Arbitrariness = infinite possibilities for meaning? o Not necessarily... Polysemy: co-existence of many possible meanings, but within limits of a given culture Textuality: Studying a "singular" text as one artifact Intertextuality: Studying how two (or more) texts interact o Accounting for the fact that something always occurs in dialogue with other things o Ultimately, ALL texts are intertextual Paratexts: texts whose main existence is to inform other texts (movie trailers, promos, t-shirts w/movie logo, games, merchandise, interviews, spoilers) o Shape and sometimes limit meanings : Polysemy! Entryway paratexts: try to grab viewer before they reach certain text, try to control viewer's entrance to media engagement - Movie posters, previews, ads, casting, reviews, etc. o In-Media-Res paratexts: come to us "during" or "after" viewing/playing, working to police certain interpretations Podcasts, "making of" specials, websites, wikis, ancillary merchandise, re-runs, etc. Every media experience is always a multi-media experience o Because all texts are intertextual What happens in the space between audiences and texts? Always context & culture that shapes our interpretive f