 | Term | Definition |
| |
connotation |
implied meaning eg. rose=love |
| |
denotation |
Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol. |
| |
symbolic sign |
an image which bears no direct relation to the thing it represents |
| |
iconic sign |
an image which is a direct representation of the thing it represents |
| |
indexical sign |
an image which is evidence of sonmething else: smoke=fire |
| |
target audience |
the audience at which the text is aimed |
| |
code |
the rules governing media products |
| |
conventions |
repeated patterns found in media products |
| |
generic |
related to a genre |
| |
iconography |
images associated with a particular media product |
| |
signifier |
a sign which conveys meaning |
| |
signified |
the idea conveyed by a sign |
| |
Binary opposition |
a series of opposites which carry the meaning of a text |
| |
Segmentation |
breaking an audience into specific groups |
| |
scheduling |
organising TV or radio programme into timeslots |
| |
product reach |
making an audience aware of a product |
| |
product positioning |
aiming a product at a particular market |
| |
branding |
establishing an identity for a range of products |
| |
logo |
an instantly recognisable symbol of a brand |
| |
enigma |
a puzzle set by a narrative |
| |
open narrative |
a never ending story such as that seen in soaps |
| |
closed narrative |
a narrative with an ending |
| |
series |
a sequence of programmes linked by character and setting |
| |
serial |
a sequence of programmes telling a continuous story |
| |
ratings |
the size of an audience |
| |
media giant |
one of the large media companies (eg Disney, Sony) |
| |
psb |
public service broadcaster (funded by taxpayer) |
| |
stereotype |
classifying people by character traits |
| |
niche audience |
audience with a specific and limited interest |
| |
merchandising |
producing products associated with a media text |
| |
synergy |
one media product using another (Mcdonalds/Disney) |
| |
product placement |
deliberately showing a product in a film or TV programme |
| |
dominant ideology |
a set of ideas most people agree with |
| |
mise en scene |
the contribution that everything in a single shot makes to a film |
| |
sub genre |
a type within a genre (Horror - Mummy film) |
| |
repetition and difference |
the essence of genre |
| |
equilibrium-disturbance-new equilibrium |
Todorov's narrative theory |
| |
cinematography |
the techniques of filmaking |
| |
realism |
representation of the real world |
| |
demographics |
dividing an audience by measurable features (age, sex, etc) |
| |
psychographics |
dividing an audience by psychological features (aspirers) |
| |
hypodermic needle theory |
the idea that audiences are directed affected by the media |
| |
uses and gratifications |
the theory that argues that media texts meet our basic needs |
| |
reception theory |
the theory that audiences make their own meanings |
| |
naturalised |
making meanings seem 'natural' |
| |
style |
the 'look' of a media text |
| |
intertextuality |
he way one text refers to another |
| |
broadcast flow |
the way TV seems seamless and has no gaps |
| |
terrestrial/analogue |
Non digital TV |
| |
ident |
the identifying symbols used by TV companies |
| Add or remove terms from this set |
