Weeks 1 & 2 Reflective Blog Post

Weeks 1 and 2 Reflective Blog

This week and the previous week i have acquired the skills of identifying and applying basic  media techniques. For example I can identify different camera shots and use it for my own purposes. For example i have planned out my upcoming media short film while aiming to display all of the shot types i have learnt.

The key concepts i have looked at is the representation of the working class, gender and age in the media and more, all whilst looking at the positive and negative representations of each.

I have also been looking at media theories by Steve Neal of Repetition and Difference and another theory of Uses and Gratifications theory. The Repetition and Difference theory is the theory of what in the media stays the same in terms of context, ideals and characters, but what is changed to keep audiences interested. The Uses and Gratifications theory stating that  it is an approach to understanding why and how people actively seek out specific media to satisfy specific needs. Four examples are Information, Escapism/Entertainment, Personal Identification and Social Interaction. These are the four main reasons as to why people seek specific media.

Other reasons for this may be because of catharsis or schadenfreude. Catharsis means emotional release of negative energy, for example stress busting forms of media. Schadenfreude is to receive pleasure from pain. The largest form of this is from video games such as COD or Halo where violence is abundant.

Another thing I looked at in class was Mis-En-Scene.

P - Production Scene -sets, props, and costumes

L - Lighting -Ambient, Artificial and Natural forms

A - Actors-Performance of the Actors is important                        

C - Colour design - through production in media 

E - Era - how is the time/ place represented now

All of these things combine to create what Mis-En-Scene is.

All of these previously mentioned concepts are what i feel confident about within my understanding of media. However there are areas of knowledge that i need developing on, for example the Encoding and Decoding theory by Stuart Hall, and Dyer's stereotype theory. I don't understand how the audience can decode and interpret specific media messages based on the audience's cultural background, economic standing and personal experiences.