Media Messages Representation, Colour, Semiotics. Postmodernism & Intertextuality

1. H409/01 Media Message
Section B
Magazines
(Media Language & Representation)
REPRESENTATION

4. The psychology of colour

5. .
Aliens (1986)
Director: James Cameron
Colour used in films to create
emotion

6. .
Hero (2002)
Colour used in films to create
emotion

9. Colour Connotations
What emotions/meanings can each colour
create/evoke?

19. 15th century BC - purple dye from a
sea snail called the spiny dye-murex

21. Fonts – serif

22. Fonts – serif = traditional, historical

23. Fonts – sans serif = modern

24. Spacing

25. Semiotics
Signs
Signifier
Signified

26. Ferdinand de Saussure
1857-1913 Swiss linguist
Semiotics:
The study
of signs

30. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier ?
•Signified ?
•The Sign

31. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier – piggy
bank (the word or
picture)
•Signified ?
•The Sign

32. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier – piggy
bank (the word or
picture)
•Signified – savings,
poor, planning for the
future
•The Sign

33. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier ?
•Signified ?
•The Sign

34. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier – a
telephone (the word
or picture)
•Signified ?
•The Sign

35. The signified meaning - connotations
•Signifier – a
telephone (the word
or picture)
•Signified – help,
communication.•The Sign

36. • A SIGN is anything in media that can be
seen to convey meaning.

37. • A SIGN is anything in media that can be
seen to convey meaning.
• The main image is black and white and can
be seen as a SIGNIFIER
• Why is Monochrome used?
• SIGNIFIED MEANING? CONNOTATIONS?

38. SIGNIFIED /CONNOTATIONS
Black and white photographs are
associated with the past, a by-gone
era, things that are classic/iconic. This
signifies Statham as an older actor one
who we are told is ‘Growing stronger
with age’.
He contrasts against the brighter
colours around him but still looks
comfortable striking the well know
Statham ‘hard-man’ pose linked to his
famous roles.

39. Statham’s hands are clenched into fists
which can be seen as a SIGNIFIER
SIGNIFIED MEANING ?

40. SIGNIFIED MEANING
Clenched fists are often associated
with violence and aggression.
However this contrasts with his
casual stance and attire.
He appears more like a boxer, very
much in control. His clenched fists
and side-on pose may also be
linked to Wolverine, who also
appears in this issue, perhaps
signifying some kind of super-
human strength or power.

41. Semiotic
s

42. Postmodernism

43. Postmodernism
Implosion of traditions. Merging of identities. Breaking down of the
‘rules’ (gender, class and politics). Subvert mainstream conventions.
Combines elements/style/eras. Hybrid genres.

46. Postmodern films – parody, hybrid genres, break
the traditional rules, 4th wall, anti-heroes, a film
that knows it’s a film etc

49. .
Intertextuality

50. .
Intertextuality
An interconnection between similar or related
works
Borrowing/referring to other eras/styles

55. YOUR TURN NOW
• In pairs
• Choose a front cover you haven’t analysed
yet (Cover Junkie website)
• Create a presentation on:
• Colour connotations
• Semiotics (sign, signifier and signified)
• Postmodernism
• Intertextuality
• PLUS Make reference to representation, media language and context
PRESENT ON TUESDAY

56. Accurate use of
media terminology
is essential for
writing about
media texts

57. http://coverjunkie.com/magazi
nes/917

58. http://coverjunkie.com/magazi
nes/917

59. http://coverjunkie.com/magazi
nes/917

60. http://coverjunkie.com/magazi
nes/917

61. Representatio

62. Representatio
n

63. Representatio
n

64. Representatio
n