Becca's Blog

One key aspect of our introduction to A Level Media Studies is developing the language to analyse media products. Semiotics: the study of signs . Semiotics: icon, index, symbol notes These terms were coined by the American philosopher and scientist Charles Sanders Peirce in the 1800s. An Icon has a physical resemblance to the signified, the thing being represented. A photograph is a good example as it certainly resembles whatever it depicts. An Index shows evidence of what’s being represented. A good example is using an image of smoke to indicate fire. A Symbol has no resemblance between the signifier and the signified. The connection between them must be culturally learned . Numbers and alphabets are good examples. Source of these definitions: Vanseo Design Blog A brief introduction to icons, indexes and symbols:   https://youtu.be/0JtJu9HdQV M Icon, index, symbol: blog task Create a new blogpost called 'Semiotics: icon, index, symbol b...

Steve Neale argues that the appeal of genres is that they are ‘instances of repetition and difference’. How valid is Neale’s claim? In your response you should refer to your music video close study products, Billie Jean and Letter to the Free. (20 Marks) In Billie Jean By MJ, it contains the typical conventions of a music video which are lip-syncing, high fashion costume, dance routine and a narrative. Gerbners cultivation theory shows that music video viewers  are more likely to be influenced by the messages . In Billie Jean, MJ is seen moon-walking which is a dance he invented, and nowhere days people learn and still do the moonwalk. Same with MJ costume in modern day, they have created replicas of MJ costume for kids and adults that he wore in the music video showing how MJ culturally influences his fans.  However in Letter to the free, there are no dance moves and the costumes are quite basic going against the conventions of a music v...