Media Analysis and Criticism (moving image media)

What is a text ? A text is: any media product that we can analyze in terms of its meanings . E.g., film, television show, magazine, newspaper, book, radio program, music recording, website (or a portion of these things).

A text is: any media product that we can analyze in terms of its meanings .

E.g., film, television show, magazine, newspaper, book, radio program, music recording, website (or a portion of these things).

What is textual analysis ? To analyze : to break something down into its components/parts To analyze a text : to consider its parts, to ask why creators chose those parts and arrangements rather than other parts and other arrangements

To analyze : to break something down into its components/parts

To analyze a text : to consider its parts, to ask why creators chose those parts and arrangements rather than other parts and other arrangements

What is textual analysis ? In an audiovisual medium, we can analyze: Arrangement of parts as images and sounds through audiovisual techniques= style Arrangement of parts into a narrative (story) or non-narrative form

In an audiovisual medium, we can analyze:

Arrangement of parts as images and sounds through audiovisual techniques= style

Arrangement of parts into a narrative (story) or non-narrative form

Narrative Form How are parts combined? Narrative : representation of events linked by causality A causes B; B causes C; C causes D, etc.

How are parts combined?

Narrative : representation of events linked by causality

A causes B; B causes C; C causes D, etc.

Narrative Form Narrative elements: beginning (exposition), middle and end (conclusion) plot vs. story : plot is the story as presented in the narrative (some stories begin in the middle -- in medias res conflict is central to most narratives, and the way the conflict is framed and resolved usually is central to a story’s meanings diegesis : the story world. What is outside of the diegesis?

Narrative elements:

beginning (exposition), middle and end (conclusion)

plot vs. story : plot is the story as presented in the narrative (some stories begin in the middle -- in medias res

conflict is central to most narratives, and the way the conflict is framed and resolved usually is central to a story’s meanings

diegesis : the story world. What is outside of the diegesis?

Non-Narrative Form Other ways of combining events/images E.g., a series of images set to music might be non-narrative E.g., commercials might be non-narrative Still images are typically non-narrative (print ads, photographs, etc.)

Other ways of combining events/images

E.g., a series of images set to music might be non-narrative

E.g., commercials might be non-narrative

Still images are typically non-narrative (print ads, photographs, etc.)

Style audio-visual techniques (images & sounds) All media texts have style, i.e., their distinctive way of combining elements

audio-visual techniques (images & sounds)

All media texts have style, i.e., their distinctive way of combining elements

3 aspects of visual style mise en scène cinematography editing

mise en scène

cinematography

editing

Mise en scène literally, “put into the scene” a/k/a staging sets, costumes and makeup, acting, lighting

literally, “put into the scene”

a/k/a staging

sets, costumes and makeup, acting, lighting

e.g., high-key vs. low-key lighting

e.g., high-key vs. low-key lighting

Depth staging--shallow space

Depth staging--shallow space

Depth staging--deep space

Depth staging--deep space

Depth staging--deep vs. shallow

Depth staging--deep vs. shallow

Cinematography photographic properties of the image depth of field: what is in focus? focal length: short/normal/long lens?

photographic properties of the image

depth of field: what is in focus?

focal length: short/normal/long lens?

Cinematography photographic properties of the image depth of field: what is in focus? focal length: short/normal/long lens?

photographic properties of the image

depth of field: what is in focus?

focal length: short/normal/long lens?

Cinematography positioning of the camera, aka “framing” shot scale camera angle camera movement

positioning of the camera, aka “framing”

shot scale

camera angle

camera movement

Shot scale: extreme long shot (ELS)

Shot scale: long shot (LS)

Shot scale: medium shot (MS)

Shot scale: medium close-up (MCU)

Shot scale: close-up (CU)

Shot scale: extreme close-up (ECU)

Angle: Straight

Angle: Low

Angle: High

Angle: Canted

Camera movement Panning/tilting Tracking/craning

Panning/tilting

Tracking/craning

Editing relations between shots temporal relations spatial relations editing may maintain spatio-temporal continuity (presenting a scene in a single space/time) editing may create spatio-temporal discontinuity , e.g., flashback

relations between shots

temporal relations

spatial relations

editing may maintain spatio-temporal continuity (presenting a scene in a single space/time)

editing may create spatio-temporal discontinuity , e.g., flashback

Continuity Editing maintains spatio-temporal continuity by matching shots “ transparent” or “invisible” editing--you’re not supposed to notice it

maintains spatio-temporal continuity by matching shots

“ transparent” or “invisible” editing--you’re not supposed to notice it

Continuity Editing One matching technique: shot/reverse-shot (typically used in conversation scenes, maintains continuity of screen direction)

One matching technique: shot/reverse-shot (typically used in conversation scenes, maintains continuity of screen direction)

Discontinuity Editing In Veronica , flashbacks. How are these shifts in time marked?

In Veronica , flashbacks. How are these shifts in time marked?

Discontinuity Editing

Eyeline match/POV

Sound Elements of the soundtrack: Dialogue (includes onscreen/offscreen, voice-over) Music “ Noise” (e.g., doors closing, cars running, footsteps) Always consider sound in relation to image

Elements of the soundtrack:

Dialogue (includes onscreen/offscreen, voice-over)

Music

“ Noise” (e.g., doors closing, cars running, footsteps)

Always consider sound in relation to image