B) Media Language

"Very simply refers to the way in which a text is constructed to create meaning for a reader or viewer of the text."

SAUSSURE

Media Language follows the idea of semiotics and how signs construct meaning.  Saussure, the founder of semiotics summarised the idea in the following equation:

The Sign = SIGNIFIER (form that the sign takes) + SIGNIFIED (concept it represents)

This equation emphasises the fact that the meaning is NOT fixed.  Sign's can be different depending on the signified, i.e. the reader's interpretation of the signifier.

BARTHES + semiotics

-  Barthes considered that all cultural forms, are essentially made up of a system of signs that can be deconstructed to reveal how cultural meanings are constructed.  He analysed the denotative and connotative level of signs in a media text.

When it comes to actually reading the signs that we are presented with, there are essentially two layers of meaning that an audience can develop .
The first layer is understanding the DENOTATIVE level of the sign, or, what we actually see / hear.  The second layer is further understanding the sign, reading much deeper into what you are seeing.  This is known as the CONNOTATIVE level, which is what you associate with this image.

CODES AND CONVENTIONS

Interpret things as signs largely unconsciously by relating them to familiar systems of codes and conventions (e.g. genre conventions, cultural conventions)
- Low key lighting which casts dark shadows in a film scene can symbolise mystery or sinister characters.

Signs can be polysemic (have many possible meanings)

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Throughout the production of my advanced portfolio trailer construction I thought about media language, through how my text was constructed to create a meaning for the reader or viewer of the text.  I did this mainly through presenting my characters in a certain way, leaving a lot of the story unanswered so that it would leave a sign for the audience to pick up on.  This followed the idea of semiotics which is an important part of understanding media language and how I incorporated them into my individual trailer.

The idea of signs and symbols presented through media language, is something that I explored in my own media production of my trailer, but is not something that I attempted to challenge.  I used the idea very loosely, in order to establish the meaning of my trailer to the audience.  I wanted to focus more on the reading of signs, looking at the connotative side of my trailer.  I wanted to do this through highlighting to the audience the relationship between the characters, making them feel at one with the boy in particular.  This was designed to make the audience think about the type of life he leads and how is feeling on a highly personal level.