Semiotic Theory

Semiotics is the theory of the production and interpretation of meaning. It's basic principle is that meaning is made by the deployment of acts and objects which function as "signs" in relation to other signs. Systems of signs are constituted by the complex meaning-relations that can exist between one sign and another, primarily relations of contrast and super ordination/subordination (e.g. class/member, whole/part). Signs are deployed in space and time to produce "texts", whose meanings are construed by the mutually contextualizing relations among their signs.

There are two major traditions in European semiotics: F. de Saussure, semiology; and C.S. Peirce, semiotics. Saussure's approach was a generalization of formal, structuralist linguistics; Peirce's was an extension of reasoning and logic in the natural sciences. 

Parody s and Pastiche

At the beginning of this lesson I was told that I will have to research two styles of post-modern media that I had not been taught yet in the course. I was handed an envelope containing the two post-modern style that I had to research, these were Parody's and Pastiche. Pastiche to me was a respectful imitation of somebody else's writing or music. "Parody" implies making fun of something. 

Pastiche is a new word for me, but that's how I understand the difference: pastiche was a friendly tribute kind of imitation and parody was somewhere on the negative continuum, somewhere from gently teasing to out and out insulting.

Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham is an English music video film director and video artist, he was born in  Reading, Berkshire in 1970 and grew up in Lakenheath, Suffolk. Cunningham often works with the same types of artist and his work is very recognizable as he uses the same style throughout his videos, breaking the limitations of traditional music videos. Chris Cunningham made his directorial debut in 1997 with the music video for "Come to Daddy" by Aphex Twin, which was instantly praised, banned, and raved about by many people in the business. He followed up by making the music video for "Windowlicker" by Aphex Twin, and the astounding "All is Full of Love" video by Björk. Recently, he made his short-film debut, "Flex,". His incredible style alone makes him a director to watch out for in later years.

Analysing my Magazine in relation to the concept of audiences

I created a music magazine as part of my Coursework in AS, here I will be analysing my magazine as an official Rock magazine. I will be focusing on the audience of my magazine, I will look at aspects such as the age range of my audience. I will also focus on why it is that these specific people would be interested in reading my magazine.

I created a magazine named 11, this is a Classic Rock magazine focusing on older artists and bands such as 'Black Sabath, 'Jimmie Hendrix' and 'ACDC'. As my magazine is based on classic rock I realised that target audience will most probably be men over the age of 30.
After deciding this I had to be sure that all of the content in my magazine were based on classic rock, and so I began research into classic rock bands. This was all to be sure that I had a wide selection of classic rock bands that I could include in my magazine.

When I began my photo shoot for my magazine i had to be sure that the models clothing was suitable to be used in a classic rock magazine.

Music and Me Class Reflection

After completing my blog post on music from my past and present (Music & Me) we where excepted to share our chosen songs with the group showing the music video also. This was an interesting and productive lesson, I found it hard to share in front of the group as on the blog post I spoke about a subject I have nerve spoken to anybody about. This was about how I felt when my dad was away in Iraq, I used the song 21 guns to show how I felt in this period.
It was interesting to see the difference in musical tastes throughout the class, there where genres ranging from Rap to Dubstep, Rock to Pop. This allowed me to learn more about the students in my class to see how their minds would work when creating a music video for their genres and so I could see that there will be a huge difference in our music videos.

Music & Me

21 Guns- This is the song that reminds me of my childhood, when I was young my dad was a part of the TA. I didn't have much understanding when it came to the army, all I knew was that it was there to protect us. When I was 6 my dad was deployed to Iraq, he served in a six month tour. Although I was 6 at the time I still understood what war was and that people die in war. I was terrified all the way through his tour, it was during these six months were I began to develop my hatred towards war and conflict. I understand that this wasn't a particularly large portion of my childhood but it was most definitely one of the most memorable and will be a section of my life that I will never forget.

Lip Syncing Reflection