Clash

PREP Write freely about the house style of Clash music magazine. Your focus is on 'media language', that is, how the musicians are represented, layout, font, colour and so on.



The clash magazine has a very simple and orderly layout with minimal writing and the only writing being in large bold letters. This connotes a feeling of sophistication and makes the magazine seem quite serious. This also tells us that the reader is someone who takes their interest in music very seriously and is very appreciative of it. A large range of musicians are shown, each with different genres, showing that the magazine and its readers are very diverse.

The mast head is always in the top centre of the magazine and is written in bold and in most cases is white. This allows it to stand out and makes it easily recognisable for viewers because it stands out. The main splashes all consist of very well known artists such as: Travis Scott, Zayn and the 1975. Here the magazine is using celebrity endorsement, as the reader will be enticed by such well known artists.

Q9 The Lego Movie Ad Break

Analyse the representations found in the UK television ad break for The Lego Movie. [10]

There are a lot of different representations that are found in the Lego Movie ad break. Warner Bros have taken these commercials from famous companys such as BT, Premier Inn, CPR, and Confused.com, and have turned them into Lego animations in order to promote their movie. This is to mostly appeal to the older audience for these are trusted brands that many people might use anyway, and so changing them into Lego allows them to be more noticeable and remember able for the audience.

There is also a lot of humour representation throughout these ad breaks. There is not much direct humour used but through the representation of Lego instead of real life this brings around natural humour, that would appeal to a wide audience. This is boosted by the use of famous actors such as Vinny Jones and Lenny Henry.

The actual adverts for the movie appear to be conforming against the use of stereotypical gender representations. The character Wyldstyle is presented as strong and independent breaking the stereotypical norms for gender roles. This is further emphasised through the way the hero Emmet is portrayed. In comparison to Wyldstyle, despite being the hero, Emmet is represented as very timid and weak, being the opposite of male stereotypes, which is strength and bravery.

MOJO cover analysis

 Refer to Extract 1 in the insert. Analyse the representation of Jamaican Reggae music and

musicians such as Bob Marley in this MOJO front cover. (5 marks)

This magazine cover is very clearly showing a representation of Jamaican Reggae Music and this representation is quite happy, loving and exotic. This is evident in many ways such as the bright, stand out colours of red, yellow and green which are actually the colours of the Jamaican flag. It is also shown in the cover lines - 'From gang war to love' - it takes a political stance here showing pacifist ideas suggesting the idea that violence isn't necessary and that love resolves all. The magazine also uses a sans-serif font connoting an idea that it is more free-flowing and less restricted.

Typically, artist representations on MOJO magazine covers tend to be more momentous and less relaxed. But here we see Marley breaking these norms, he is shown with a large smile and wears very casual clothes reflecting his nature. We get a brief view more common representations of musicians in the skyline of the magazine that portrays an image of David Bowie.

Q4

The main-splash on this magazine is of a music artist and she is shown to be taking up most of the space on the page, she even overlaps the masthead of the magazine, this representing her as someone who is clearly very important. The magazine uses a black and white colour scheme for the portrayal of the artist. This hints at the fact that she is someone that is no longer as relevant in current times, and so the magazine is giving us an insight to her golden age.

The cover lines "My gift was born of tragedy" and "the agony and ecstasy of" give us an insight on Joni Mitchell. They tell us that she is someone who has had to struggle through a lot of things to reach the place that she is at now, this telling us that she is a very strong and independent person, who doesn't give up no matter the obstacle.

Q8

PREP
To revise the 'media language' question, you focus on the layout. It is a quick and easy question, worth 5 marks and only 2 examples needed. Please copy the question onto your blog and write the 2 examples taken from the recent Observer online. The answers below will help you.



Firstly there is use of a very simple and limited colour palette of deep blue and white, with black for the words. This connotes a feeling of maturity and also suggests that it is a very organised and formal newspaper.

This magazine also uses media language to create meaning in its layout. The observer is very organised in its layout. There is a white background, a limit of photographs, and the boxes are also organised in to neat columns, all of this connoting a feeling of maturity,.

Q9 Observer Values

identify all relevant articles or features that represent the newspaper's values:

1.  The major use of newspapers is to offer a sense of knowing
what is going on in the world.The Observer knows that its readers are serious and interested in international affairs. This is evident in hard news articles about.....  Politics/Labour set to call vote to topple Theresa May's government.

2. The Observer meets its audience's need for a range of cultural, sporting and artistic news. It provides these with... Music/2019 Brit award nominations topped by Anne-Marie and Dua Lipa - again

3. The Observer does not shy away from 'difficult' issues that could make uncomfortable reading, such as... Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe/Captive 'fearful' as she prepares for Iran Jail hunger strike.

4.  The Observer has sections which are designed to appeal to
different types of readers.The Observer reflects the diversity of its readership in articles on... US news/Trump vents fury over Russia stories and again threatens national emergency.

5.  Newspaper readership can still be used as a symbol of one’s

social identity. The term ‘Guardian reader’ connotes a certain

type of social attitude and The Observer  similarly reinforces

a set of social and political attitudes, and thus identity, in its

representations. For example, Observer  readers like to think

of themselves as open-minded and this is reflected in the

Observer’s practice of allowing both sides of an argument

equally to be put when the newspaper is clearly on one side

of this argument. There is an example of this in.... Schools/Sleep-deprived pupils need an extra hour in bed.

5.  The entertainment function of newspapers may take the

form of humour.  It may take the form of diversion into

a celebrity world of ‘glamour’. It may take the form of human

interest stories in which readers are invited to sympathise with

the subjects of the article. Newspapers further offer games,

puzzles, crosswords and the like. At the higher end, sections

such as the New Review in the Observer may offer the pleasure

of extremely well-written think pieces and literature reviews. An example of this is.... Music/2019 Brit award nominations topped by Anne-Marie and Dua Lipa - again

Q2 Practice

PREP: To revise for q.2 (4 marks), copy / paste each of the following descriptions into your blog post. Write either SB or TD at the start of each, to indicate either Avril or Wheatus. Some answers may refer to BOTH so put both initials.

This video is documentary style mostly hand-held camerawork, de-saturated colour and fast-paced editing. SB
This video has saturated colour, more controlled camerawork, slower-paced editing. TD
This video consists of mostly montage shots. TD
This video has more developed editing with cause and effect. TD SB
In this video, the singer values rebellion, which is seen in the narrative. SB
In this video, the singer values 'fitting in', conformity, albeit to an oppressive system, which is seen in the narrative.  TD
This video is set in LA, a big city, with its connotations of street credibility. SB
The mise-en-scene of this video is American suburbia with its connotations of conformity. TD SB
This video is intertextual in its narrative (=it makes references to high school drama). TD
In this video, the singer performs to camera. SB
In this video, real locations and 'everyday' costume for the performers connote a sense of naturalism. TD SB
In this video, there is a sense of linear narrative (a story is told, in the order it unfolds). TD SB

Q5

PREP 02 MUSIC & NEWS question 5: How is media language used to reflect the genre conventions of a music magazine? Make bullet points below the magazine cover.

• The group the all saints take up the majority of the page, and they are shown to be standing upright staring directly at the camera, showing that they are, similar the magazine, very serious and also very confident and have nothing to hide. This is emphasised in the tagline 'we didn't conform to the rules' showing they don't care what people think and they will do things in their own style.
• The layout in this magazine is very formal, almost like it is in columns.The cover lines are also then very balanced and in orderly positions once again connoting a feeling of seriousness.
• The colour scheme is very simple consisting mainly of black and white, this connoting a feeling of professionalism.
• This feeling of professionalism is further emphasised by the writing and font which is in serif sans and is orderly and neatly placed in places on the magazine, not overlapping anything.
• There are many different artists on the magazine each of being completely different style and different genders, this showing the diversity that this magazine offers for their audience.

Q1 Cuffs

Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer.
Worth 4 marks.

A first example of where camerawork is used to create meaning is in the scene when the two female officers are patrolling in the town. Firstly a hand-held shot is used while following the officers, to make it feel more realistic, like you are there in person. Then there is a close up of shaded figures in a van watching, which gives the audience a sense that something bad is going to happen. The camera then switches back to the officers, showing their faces as they casually talk and laugh. This contrast is used to build the tension, and also make you feel more sympathy for the officers, as they are clearly completely unsuspecting. A truck then comes round the corner. There is a fast paced shot reverse shot between the truck and the surprised, panicked looks on the officers faces, this giving a sense of urgency and panic. Finally we see the truck break through the glass in the shop through the shop CCTV footage. This makes it seem more realistic as it is something that you might see in a news article in real life.

A second example of where camerawork is used to create meaning is in the car chase scene that follows. The camera is placed in the back seat of the police car, like you are there with them. You then see the car speeding down roads and quickly changing lanes, this uplifting the urgency of the scene. There is then also a bird's eye view shot, giving a view of a very familiar layout with all of the traffic, once again making it feel more realistic, but the also showing the many turns and obstacles that they have to speed through, which uplifts a bit of  a sense of heroism. There are then also alternating close up shots of the two characters faces, showing their emotional features. Jake looks panicked, which increases the sense of urgency , while Ryan is calm and focused which gives a sense that the situation is under control.

This is the part of the introduction showing the sort of time period in which it is set and where it is set, which in this case is England.

This photo is also part of the introduction giving a general sense of what the show is about, and what kind of class it focuses on. The scruffy, messy background and the, cheaper clothes show its mainly addressing the working/lower class.




This is a photo of all the main cast. The expressions on their faces make it seem like a typical 'friend group' which makes all of the characters slightly more relatable.



This photo is quite typical of a soap opera it shows people looking anxious and worried, this is to create drama and suspense in the show

Q1 Cuffs

How is sound used to create meaning? Give at least two examples (5 marks)

This section starts with the two police women walking along the pavement in a relaxing manner. In this scene most of the sound is completely diegetic. You hear birds, and the calm waves, these creating a calm sense. However, there is very quiet, but eerie background music playing throughout this scene, this suggests tension to keep the viewer action ready, and to warn them that something bad is going to happen.

Another example where sound is used to create meaning is when the four police officers are all sitting together in the cafe. There is only diegetic sound in this scene, like the clinking of cups in the background and the echoing music playing in the cafe. This is in the background from the police officers calm normal conversation. There is then a sudden break in to the calm with the women's panicked voice on the radio, this creates a large contrast to emphasise the fast paced, action scene that follows.

As soon as this next scene starts it is almost immediately followed by much faster-paced rhythmic music to connote a sense of urgency to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. There is also large screeching sounds from the car, which show how fast the cars are going and also shows the experience of the driver's this adding a sense of danger. These senses of danger and urgency are also emphasised with the background noise of the continuous screeching siren.

For this piece of work I would give myself a mark 4/5, for there are multiple good explanations of sound and how it creates meaning and good usage of significant words like 'connotations', however the meanings of each of them could have been a bit more developed.

Question 8

Exam Question: Analyse the use of media language to create meaning in the online Observer home page

There are a lot of different examples of use of media language in the front page of the Observer. Firstly the Observer categorises the different articles like features, sport and interviews. This will draw the reader to what type of articles they want to look at, meaning they are more likely to look at articles, especially ones they like, instead of having to search for particular ones, this also meaning that it will attract a larger range of readers.

The article also enlarges certain articles to give them more attention and meaning. For example one of the larger articles is 'can I forgive the man who raped me?'. This is very intriguing because there is no further back story, and it is just a simple question which will make the readers want to know the answer.

They also make the headings, short, simple and catchy, so it is possible for reader's to browse through and search for particular ones that interest them. One heading is 'my lifelong affair with photography'. This title is catchy because it will leave the reader with their own questions like why is this mans relationship with photography an affair, and so what else does he have going on in his life?

A final way in which this front page uses language to create meaning is the use of quotes. These quotes are generally peoples opinion, and so you may have your own opinion on the matter, whether you disagree with it or agree you will want to read it for you want to hear someone else's opinion.

Enigma review

We decided to use a box as our main prop and create a short film about it. We started by discussing our ideas for what we could use the box or any other props for. We decided to do a short sketch on how a box is delivered to to men. However, they do not know the contents of this box. Then as it turns out there is a head in this box. We started by filming the delivery man, wearing a wig, deliver a parcel. Then the two men investigate the box before opening it. To create the head in the box effect we cut a hole in the bottom of the box and had someone stick their head though and then surrounded the head in bubble wrap to hide the hole and only show the head. We then filmed a final scene where you see the delivery person without the wig, as it was supposedly a disguise looking through a door. Therefore, leaving it on an enigma.

Practising Editing

Photoshop skills Development

Perfume ad

Genre codes in The Lego Movie posters

Exam question: Analyse how genre codes have been used in The Lego Movie poster campaign to appeal to a family audience. (10 marks)



This is a poster of one of the main characters in the film. The first thing that most people would acknowledge when they look at this is the large close up of the character taking up most of the screen. This sort of character due to his parcticular traditional appearance, is recognised, generally as an old and wise person, who is usually a wizard. He is recognised as this due to things like his white and long grey hair and beard, with a white robe and glowing, mystical eyes. This is relating to other popular movies like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, who both have similar characters to this. Something else that viewers will instantly be drawn to is who is playing this particular character which is written in bold across the top. The actor is Morgan Freeman who is a very well known actor, who has been acting for many years. So there is a possibility that as well as attracting younger people older people who might know him more well may become interested. This poster also shows a background of a Lego world with a dragon and a castle which would be intriguing towards the viewer who would like to see how the character and the background correlate. Lego is also a very well known brand which would make people who use Lego even more interested in seeing the film.



This is a poster of possibly the main character which the story focuses on. The audience can relate to this character for he is an ordinary 'everyman', like the rest of us. The fact that he is ordinary is emphasised by the fact that he is wearing construction clothes and is on a construction site, showing he has a job an ordinary person would have. There is an explosion in the background of this photo and following Emmet's expression, you can tell he is not used to these kind of extraordinary things happening to him seeing as he is just a normal person, sending the message that this kind of thing could happen to you. His expression also gives a humorous aspect of the poster. Viewers would also be attracted by the tagline of the Lego Movie which is 'a nobody who saved everybody', which seeing as the role Emmet plays, similar to people going about their ordinary lives, will make people interested seeing as it could be something that they could do. Chris Pratt, who plays the role of Emmet is also a very well known actor, following starring in programs like Parks and Recreation, which is a comedy program so viewers might be able to guess that there is some comedy involved. It also announces the date it is being released by using the word 'assembled', which is a play on word to the fact that there is construction in the background and that you 'assemble' Lego.



This is a poster of a character who is very obviously the antagonist due to his particular appearance. He has a an angry look on his face which is exaggerated by his mono-brow to help frame his face. He is also stereotyped as a villain because of his large helmet, that is red, which is a colour usually associated with something bad. The helmet also has a rim which are shaped like sharp teeth. This character is played by Will Ferrell, who is very well known for playing comedic roles. This will make the audience interested in why he is playing a villain, and the irony of it. Which also hints at comedic essence's.



This is another of the main character's, who helps along with Emmet's story. She is portrayed as a young, strong, independent women, who throughout the film is seen breaking many gender stereotypes, which would allure a lot of women who would see her as a sort of role model. She is also portrayed as rebellious and stands out due to the brightly coloured, eccentric streaks in her hair, and also that she is being chased by people in the background. But still stares lavishly and boldly at the camera as if she is used to it and it doesn't bother her. She is played by the actor Elizabeth Banks, who is once again a very familiar actor, who plays a lot of characters which are very similar to the feel of this film. Which means that people who like her other films may be interested in this one.

Contrasts in magazine covers

PREP: Analyse the media language of the MOJO cover below. Use the terms that you have learned. 
Compare and contrast the cover with another magazine cover, drawing attention to the similarities and differences, and saying what the genre codes and conventions are.

            

These are both covers of well-known music magazines, MOJO and Q. MOJO presents David Bowie as the main splash, he is the main centre of focus and is seen standing tall and confident. He has his hands behind his back as if saying he needs no defence and he is gazing at the camera with his chin slightly lowered, showing no one has any authority over him. He is wearing smart but casual clothes, a plaid t-shirt with a tie with the same pattern on it as if to blend in and is wearing a light blue blazer/jacket along with jeans and heavy boots. All of this is presented in a way that is smart, as if for the occasion, but also classy and casual. The other things on this cover all are important but do not draw away too much from the main photo, the first thing that you notice when you see this is 'Bowie' and the photo of him. There is also a lot of negative space as to not make it appear too clustered.

Similar to the other there is also one large main splash which in this case is Ed Sheeran. He is shown as being sort of 'puppy like', , someone that we all love and adore, especially with his affectionate, large, enhanced blue eyes. However, despite this he features are quite defined as to not seem too vulnerable. He is wearing casual dark leather clothes which partially blend in with the negative space around him while his face and guitar have strong lighting on them, for this is where the meaning is held in this photo. There is a lot less negative space in this but it still does not appear clustered for it is well organised and the fact that that everything other then Ed Sheeran himself have simple contrasting colours, which also helps your eyes not be too drawn away from the main splash but to also notice them.

Similarities in these two magazines include that they both have one large, main center of focus that is an image, with their upper-body, both overlapping any text or photos that are there, and large, bold writing of their name across their chest. Also, both are very well known and quite influential artists. Both have set colour schemes (e.g MOJO, blue, yellow and white; Q, red, white and black). They both have cover lines which briefly say what is featured inside the magazine.

Differences between the two include that in the MOJO magazine it is mainly focused on Bowie's upper-body, clothes and face, where as in the Q magazine it is focused on his face and instrument and as little as possible notice is placed on the clothes which are black and blend in. Bowie gives off more of a confident tall, chest protruding, stern look, but Ed Sheeran looks smaller and more caring and more sympathetic. The MOJO magazine appears to be a tribute dead artists with Bowie as the main figure but the Q magazine is about the story's of artists.

02 MUSIC: MOJO COVER 2017

'How representations on magazine covers reflect the social and cultural contexts in which they were produced'.

The magazine is loved by its readers and artists alike because it engages them on the subject they love the most: music itself.

Every month MOJO releases a definitive cover feature on an iconic act; a bespoke CD (especially compiled by the editorial team or a major musician in MOJO’s world); and our famous reviews section, the Filter, which brings you 30 pages-plus of the best of that month’s music, both classic and contemporary.

MOJO is the world's largest UK music magazine, delivering a monthly dose of world class journalism and iconic photography to an audience of extremely passionate music consumers. If you’re featured in MOJO, you matter.

MOJO is the music expert – a magazine of high brand values and integrity. A carefully crafted musical archive covering the very best of music across genres. From classic and modern rock, folk, soul, country to reggae, electronic and experimental. It prefers to celebrate quality over popularity – music that will stand the test of time.

The Sex Pistols

1. The Sex pistols were an English punk rock band formed in London in 197. They are described as one of the most influential acts in the history of popular music. They had very strong opinions about various things They initiated the punk movement in the UK.

Music Video Codes and Conventions

PREP MUSIC VIDEO CODES AND CONVENTIONS 
To prepare for the exam, we look at the media language of music videos, such as their codes and conventions below. For prep, copy the points in colour then add your own points in black. 

1. Performance - the singer / band are seen to be singing and playing (including lip synching), to provide authenticity, so that followers believe in the talent and can see their star. Record labels sign stars and promote them  to ensure sales.
2. Star - use of close-ups, sometimes direct eye contact with audience, to build relationship with audience.
3. The visuals (what the star and other characters are seen doing) illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics (the 'story in the words'). Illustration = the visuals play out the story more or less literally; amplify = the words in the lyrics are only the starting point and the story develops in other directions; contradiction / disjuncture = the visuals do not interpret the words of the lyrics and may even show something contradictory.
4. The narrative usually features the performer in 'real life' situations but often with experimental types of film making such as hand-held, dramatic camera angles, symbolic codes and lighting 
5. The visuals are usually cut to the beat of the music; the editing is often fast-paced; there is often use of montage, ellipsis and intercutting, stylish effects.
6. Refrain - repeated chorus, sometimes with variations

1. Avril Lavigne sings throughout the video using a mike and draws a huge crowd of fans around her when she jumps onto a car roof in the street. She sings with great passion, energy and conviction, holding the mike close to her mouth. Close-ups show her every word (lip synching is a feature of music videos.) She performs for her fans and for her 'boyfriend' the sk8er boi who features in the narrative. Screens often feature in music video and the sk8er boi is videoing Avril Lavigne as he gazes adoringly up at her. She returns his gaze as she sings about 'we rock each other's world'. The performance element creates authenticity (fans have proof of her talent) because we see her sing.

2. Avril is presented to the audience with a lot of attitude which shows during aspects like the close ups of her. She is shown as cocky, brash and self-confident. She is telling a story and her actions and contact with the camera hint at us that really she is right and the one with power. She invites us into her life and makes us believe the story she is telling and makes us believe that it is happening to her and presents it in the way that she is the hero and we should have no sympathy for the other women, which you believe because she is creating a one on one connection with the audience.

3. One narrative thread that dominates the entire video is the star symbol which marks their gangs territory. Essentially it is representing Avril, it is everywhere usually in the background giving the implication that she is everywhere or her presence is. This is all about her life and the way she does things and how she is a perfect match for the 'Sk8er Boi' and the other girl is the complete opposite and didn't understand him so clearly she doesn't deserve him. You see her boasting that she is the one with all the independance with a gang that follows her around everywhere and adores her while the other is sitting at home alone with a baby. 

4. There a lot of hand held camera shots in this for example when they are all in a car and it is being filmed the camera shakes a lot like the person carrying it is running. There also close ups of both of the lovers, Avril and the Sk8er Boi, gazing into each others eyes, they are in love and wrote this song together proving that they were meant to be together, complimented with the lyrics of the video.

5. The opening montages and are very fast setting the editing pace at that very fast pace, it is cut to the beat of the percussion, while Avril's gang mark their territory. The cutting shots and the actions on screen are fast paced because the music is like when Avril punches at the camera in time with the music and adds to the frantics in the scenes shown.

6. During the refrain the pace and visuals increase as you see her and her gang setting up the concert in rapid montage and also as the crowd start to pour in filling everywhere up as the chaos starts. This refrain is a repeated chorus but is more dramatic than the first as it builds up to a final conclusion before the police arrive.