Big Stan - Visual, technical and audio codes.

Big Stan.

Visual codes:

At the start of this film we see a lot of men in suits and in judges robes with briefcases. This indicates to us that the first setting in this film is in a courtroom. This is also indicated through the serious facial expressions of the people in this scene, and this is typical of a courtroom setting, as nobody is going to be seen to be laughing etc. Some of the people in the courtroom also wear glasses, which we usually associate with intelligence, and lawyers/barristers and known to be intelligent.

Technical codes:

Mid shots are used to show the faces of those in the scene, along with a bit of the setting, and are also used to show who is talking. Long shots are used to allow the audience to establish setting, and in this case, we are then able to confirm that the setting is a courtroom. A bird's eye view shot is used to show one of the characters, who in which has just lost his court case, so this may indicate how he is now powerless and weak. Close up's are used when we want to see who is talking, and their facial expressions when they are talking, then we as an audience are able to know the emotions of the character.

Audio codes:

Diagetic narration is used at the start of the film, which helps to lead into the main content of the film. There is also a lot of non-diagetic music at the start of the film, and as it is upbeat, this almost sets the tone of the film as being a happy one, or makes us think that the film contains some comedy. Diagetic sound is used throughout when people are talking, and there is also a lot of diagetic background noise. 

Bad Education - Visual, technical and audio codes.

Bad Education.

Visual codes:

In this sitcom, we see alot of different visual codes, all in which help us to establish what the show is about. For example, a lot of younger people are seen to be wearing the same school uniform, and the older people all tend to be wearing quite smart clothing, such as shirts, ties, suits, etc. So, we as an audience are able to tell that this show must be set in a school environment, with school pupils and teachers as the cast. We are able to tell the pupils from the teachers by what they are wearing, and these are the things that are typically associated with teachers/students. We then actually go on to see the setting. We can then confirm it is a school, by the typical school set out, and one scene is also in the staffroom in which teachers are known to go at breaks and lunch.

Technical codes:

There are a lot of mid and close up shots, in which allows us to see the particular persons body language and facial expressions. Mid shots also mean that the audience is able to start establishing the setting, and mid shots are used when two people are having a conversation, to show who is talking and also their facial expressions whilst talking. Long shots and extreme long shots are used to allow us to then fully establish the setting, therefore, we then definitely know that it is set in a school environment. These shots also show give us a better insight into the persons body language, and sometimes, it can be someones facial expressions or body language that actually make the audience laugh.

Audio codes:

We can hear a lot of diagetic sound throughout this show, for example, there is a lot of diagetic conversation between pupils and teachers, which is typical of a school setting. Diagetic sound is used a lot in this way, as there is frequent speech between pupils and teachers. Non-diagetic music is also played frequently through the show , particularly at the beginning credits, and throughout whenever the scene changes. This music fits in well with this programme because it is upbeat and makes people feel happy, this helps to achieve the purpose of this show, which is to make people laugh. People tend to watch these types of sitcoms because they want to cheer themselves up, feel happy and use it as an escapism from everyday stress, and the music along with the dialogue helps to achieve this.

Audience task.

Girlfriends. 




Girlfriends is a television shows aimed at single women between the ages of 16 to 35. We can tell this by the girls featured in the show, as we know that single girls between these ages will be able to relate to them and their relationship problems etc. This programme meets the uses and gratifications of personal identity, entertainment and social integration. 
   This programme meets personal identity as the people watching are able to relate to the girls in the show, and therefore can identify themselves as the audience. This programme meets entertainment as it is quite humorous and is an escapism from everyday life. It entertains through the content of the show, and how people can laugh at the dodgy dates, and it also entertains through the catchy music that is in the background. We want to know these girls stories, and we are drawn into the show and have to watch on as we want to know who they choose etc. 
   This programme is constructed as it is clear that the show is put together to highlight the funny bits and the parts that their intended audience would want to see. The parts have been put together in this particular way on purpose, and the music that has been edited over is used to add to the entertainment of the show. This show in particular has been mediated so that we focus on certain aspects of the show, such as them going to the lads parents houses, and this allows us to make assumptions and to draw conclusions, such as letting us guess who they are going to pick in the end. 

Uses and Gratifications - Social Integration.

Uses and gratifications are classified in four different categories. 

The last being Social Integration.



The X Factor is a good example of how people watch television programmes for social integration. People tend to watch shows that their friends talk about at work/school, as they want to be involved in the conversation, and want to be included. The X Factor is a highly constructed show in the way that the show usually either shows the really good acts and their backstories, or the really bad acts. It is created this way on purpose as this gets people interested and it also adds entertainment value. People also watch this show as an escapism and tend to find the humour throughout as a release. This use and gratification is part of the two-step flow because, as i have previously mentioned, a more active audience watch this show and discuss it with each other, and will also be influenced by the opinions of others. So people bond by talking about the show, and tend to be influenced by the opinions of others about certain acts on the show etc. 

Uses and Gratifications - Entertainment.

Uses and gratifications are classified in four different categories.

The third being Entertainment. 


The big bang theory is a show in which was highly constructed to entertain it's audience. This programme does this by including a lot of witty humour, and representing different types of personalities/people through each character. This show entertains by providing an escapism from everyday life, as well as making people laugh along the way. This is a feel good programme, so many people that start to watch this programme, often continue because they like the show and they like the way that it makes them feel. It is an emotional release from everyday life and stress. The big bang theory follows the two-step flow. Which means that an active audience will discuss the media text and will be influenced by the opinions of others. This show often gains watchers by the fact that people talk about it, and word goes around about how funny it is and how good it makes you feel. So others then want to watch it.

Uses and Gratifications - Information.

Uses and gratifications are classified in four different categories. 

The second being Information. 

Information is given through many programmes. These types of programmes are usually informing people about the world or particular events etc. 

Daybreak is a programme in which is used to inform. This news programme covers various stories and many people watch it to keep up to date with the latest news, either in everyday life or even celebrity news. This uses and gratifications category is part of moral panics, and this is where the media are placed in a position of becoming an agent of social control. 
This often happens in three stages:
- An event occurs which generates media attention.
- Media organisations relate to this one event to wider social issues.
- Media coverage increases.
Daybreak often covers stories that they tend to continue coverage of. For example, daybreak covered the story of April Jones, and they continued to show coverage on this for several weeks. The only negative to this is that it has been proven that after repeated exposure, stories tend to have less impact on their audience.

Uses and Gratifications - Personal Identity.

Uses and gratifications are classified in four different catagories.

The first being Personal Identity.

Personal identity is when people can identify themselves as the audience for the particular form of media that they are watching/reading. 

An example of a programme that represents personal identity is Hollyoaks. This is a part of people's  personal identity, as they feel that they can relate the story lines and characters within the show, to their own lives and the people in it. Hollyoaks covers a lot of drama and family issues in which people can relate to their own lives. People like the fact that they can interpret the story lines in many different ways and it is almost certain that it will reflect some part of their life in some way. People watch these sort of shows as an escapism from everyday life, yet it is just like watching their life on television, only more glamourised.

This category of uses and gratifications is a hypodermic needle. This meaning that the passive audience will become influenced with ideology. This is due to the fact the characters in this show are all seen to be either really pretty and slim, or really attractive and muscular and this gives people the impression that they have to look like this to fit in with society.

This is also part of two-step flow, which means that an active audience will discuss this media text, and will be influenced by the opinions of others when talking about it. 

How sexuality is represented within the media.

The media shows people with a different sexuality using a variety of representations. Sexuality is often represented through characters in television shows or films etc.




The television programme Glee is one of the many television programmes seen to represent a character with a different sexuality. The character of Kurt in Glee is shown in a positive way. We see this through the fact that he isn't ashamed about how he feels. He also isn't afraid to hide what he is, and even when he is seen to be knocked down by the comments and opinions of others, he just rises above it. This character is a great representation of someone with a different sexuality, as it sets an example that being gay is ok, and is not chosen but is not something to be ashamed of. Kurt has a great network of friends that support him and is not afraid to talk about his feelings, and he even likes to make the situation humorous. He also likes to express himself through music and drama, but also breaks away from the usual stereotype of homosexual people.

How different races/religions are represented within the media.

Many forms of media tend to represent different races and religions, and these can be represented in a number of different ways.




The big bang theory, is one of many television shows the represents someone from a different religion/culture. This television programme contains a character from India called Raj. Raj is represented in both a positive and negative way. For example, he is negatively shown as a spoilt rich boy, as in many episodes he is seen to be talking about all of the money his family has, or how many butlers they have etc, and this means that he can come across in a negative and big headed way and  people then stereotype the whole religion as being this way. However, his character is shown in some positive ways as he is shown as intellectual and part of a very close friendship group, in which he is not an outcast in. He is also humorous and makes jokes about his religion, as well as allowing others to do the same. He and his jewish friend Howard both represent different races/religions within this show, and do so in quite a humorous way, although it could be seen as offensive to some people.

How gender is represented within the media.

The media shows lots of different representations of both genders within all types of media. Men and women are represented in all sorts of ways within everything that we watch or read etc.




Women and men are often used to create an image of 'perfection' to help sell a product etc. They are also portrayed in certain ways throughout films to help attract particular audiences. For example, Megan Fox is presented in quite a negative way in the transformers films. She is seen as a sex symbol and eye candy for the male audience, yet she is also seen to be clever. This gives women a false understanding of what a women should be, as seeing movies like this makes women think that they have to be skinny and be shown to be showing a bit of skin to get attention off men. As well as this, films like this give men a false understanding of what women should be like, as they then expect women to be like this. This is unfair, as this is not what women are like,  and this image and interpretation is purely created from the imagination of those creating these films. Women and men are made to be shown like this to attract audiences, yet inevitably it makes women believe that this is what people want to see in everyday life.

How different age groups are represented within the media.

The media shows a wide variety of age representations. Almost every programme represents an age group of some sort.



This video is an example of how the older generation is represented in a positive way. We can tell this because, the programme New Tricks, shows an group a group consisting of an older lady and three older men, that are police officers and they are seen to be doing everything that a younger police officer would do. The programme contains fast paced chase scenes, and as well as all of the action, the characters are quite humorous and fit. This contradicts to usual stereotypes of the older generation, in which show them as slow, unfit and almost boring in a way.

How different classes are represented within the media.

The media often shows different representations of classes, (e.g. upper, middle and lower) and they are shown in either a positive or negative way.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/feb/27/upper-class-people-behave-selfishly

This article clearly represents upper class people in a negative way. We are able to tell this by the content of the article. For example it talks about how those in a higher social class are more likely to lie, cheat, and cut up other road users. This is said to be true as people have conducted research into unethical behaviour across the social classes. However, i think this is a very unfair representation from the media, as it ties everybody that is upper class with the same brush, and this is not necessarily the case. This is stereotyping the upper class as snobs that get away with everything etc, and this is how stereotypes are created. This goes for how people also tend to view lower class as violent and as people that rely solely on benefits from the government. What is also unfair is that, this research would have been conducted over a small amount upper class people, and just because those ones may have seen to be cutting people up, cheating or lying, everyone that is upper class is automatically assumed to be the same.

The last film i went to see at the cinema.

Hey! I'm new to blogging so bare with me... I thought to start i would talk about the latest film i went to see at the cinema. Now i'm not the biggest fan of horror films, as they scare the life out of me and leave me restless for at least a week, but as it was a friends birthday i agreed to go and watch The Conjuring with her. BIG MISTAKE. Don't get me wrong the sound/special effects in this film were awesome! I also loved the fact that you never knew what was coming, but it literally scared the life out of me! I don't want to give too much away because it's safe to say this film is a must see, so go and see it while you still can! Word of advice though, take a scarf to cover your eyes, because believe me, there are somethings i just wish i had not seen...