Theories And Theorists

Question 1

What is Steve Neales Genre Theory?

Answer 1

A theory suggesting 2 things about the genre, repetition and difference and that genre is NOT something static, as it is always evolving.

Question 2

Roland Barthes Semiotic Theory - Semantic codes

Answer 2

This is a structural Theory, Barthes believed that media products where embedded through codes.
Semantic codes, these connote a particular meaning (red danger/anger)

Question 3

Roland Barthes Semiotic Theory - Symbolic codes

Answer 3

These are semantic elements that have been embedded as a collective
For example a cross relates to religion

Question 4

Roland Barthes Semitic Theory - Enigma Codes

Answer 4

These are Mysterious elements of a product
For example too hock audience at the end of the production it may state to see the film or magazine

Question 5

Roland Barthes Semiotic Theory - Action codes

Answer 5

For an example … (ellipsis) to show audience something is going to happen

Question 6

Roland Barthes Semiotic theory - Cultural Codes

Answer 6

These are done for a specific audience / film genre relating to culture
For example in mise en scene a nun outfit relating to the place in the church
A certain Military logo on someone’s uniform to signify the importance

Question 7

Claude Levi Strauss’ theory of Binary Opposites

Answer 7

This is a structuralist theory
This suggests that a good story revolves around conflict between two binary opposites
For example, good vs evil, men vs women, young vs old

Question 8

Todorovs Narrative Structure Theory

Answer 8

This theory believes that all narratives follow a very similar structure
This involves moving from one state of equilibrium to another which need to be resolved

Question 9

Stuart Halls Reception Theory

Answer 9

This theory involves the idea that communication is a process involving encoding by producers and de coding by audience

Question 10

Stuart Halls Representation Theory

Answer 10

Hall believes that we can understand representations by looking at the meaning of media language
For example through the media’s representation of stereotypes

Question 11

Van Zoonen’s Feminist Theory

Answer 11

This is the idea that gender is constructed through discourse, relating to cultural and historical context
For example the idea that display of women’s bodies as objects, an element of Western Patriarchal culture

Question 12

Bell Hooks Feminist Theory

Answer 12

This theory is based on the idea that race and class as well and sexuality determine to which extent individuals are exploited

Question 13

Mulveys Male Gaze Theory

Answer 13

This theory states that women are represented as sex objects in the demand of male audiences