An Introduction to Media Studies
The media is about communication, whether that is communicating a great story through a Netflix series or communicating an issue you care passionately about through a piece of journalism.
Studying the media essentially consists of two sets of skills-
In this tutorial we will focus on the second of these areas.
Let’s start with Media Language. Think of media language as, exactly that, a language. It has its own versions of words, sentences and grammar. Let’s dive in and learn a few key terms.
Explain some ways in which this image is playing around with elements from the myth of femininity?
So myth is like the vocabulary we associate with something. So you can see how there is a myth of football, a myth of fashion. When we make a piece of media we can think about all the things we associate with what subject to help us design and produce a powerful piece of media.
Representation: Who/What/Where
Representation: Who
Understanding representations is important as it lets us into the minds and hearts of our audiences by understanding what they believe in.Focusing on ‘who’ there are lots of categories we put ourselves and other people into. These are based on things like:-
Who?
Which groups are represented in the Avengers poster?
How would you describe the female stereotypes here using the terms dominant stereotype and countertype?
Representation – Ideology
Media Audiences
Knowing your audience is of course essential to any powerful communication, I mean people don’t speak to their mates in the way they speak to their Nan!
Audiences – Why?
To understand audiences it is useful to have an understanding of why we use media. We make use of things because they serve a purpose; they meet our wants and needs.
This cover offers a lot of surveillance needs, such as how to lose 8kg, double your metabolism etc. Secondly it is offering identity needs, by presenting ways in which to ‘improve’ yourself. It offers Vin Deisel as the role model for identity as it suggests you will have ‘Vin Diesel’s blueprint’. The #SlayWinterBlues promises some relationship through its social media content. Escapism is not really offered as the focus as the magazine is about reflecting on yourself.
Audiences – Explain the wants/needs offered by this cover
How | Where | When |
Bingeing
As a treat Little and often (snacking) While doing something else With total attention |
With family/friends (Lounge)
On your own (bedroom) Out and about In the car/public transport |
Once a week
Once a day In the morning In the evening Throughout the day In the middle of the night |
Write a description of some of your own patterns of media consumption using how/when/where as a guide.
So think of audience like the target of the dart you are aiming at. You’ve got to focus on it, know it, then let that arrow fly.
Media Industry
The media industry is big, and I mean BIG! In the UK alone it is brings in over £100 Billion in revenue[3]. Although people often take media to explore their creative side it is good to know about the business behind the creative industries.
Knowing the industry lets you understand the world in which people who make a living out of media operate. As you can see from the film industry there are many opportunities in many companies. The UK is a world leader in media production. So that’s all folks. If you’ve made it to the end of this and you are still reading, well done. I look forward to seeing you in September.
Chris Barnes