Media Glossary

Media Glossary

 

 

 

 

As I desire to improve my media knowledge within key terms I have done research through different exam boards and websites to develop. Here are my findings:

1. Bedding Music (radio)=Instrumental music played behind dialogue/action/speech, generally in live programmes. Often used to identify purposeful repeated segments for example in News Reports.
2. Billboard=A large, outdoor display board used to display advertising posters.
3. Media Convergence=A process whereby progressively fewer individuals control shares of mass media, instead Companies converge to produce the best outcome and so it is easier to achieve targets.
4. Cross-head=A centred sub-heading.
5. Cut=Transition from one shot or audience sequence to the next, either joining or separating scenes.
6. Distribution=Process of making sure feature or short film is available to screen in a film festival, cinema and onto DVD. It is preceded by the production stage and followed by the exhibition stage.
7. Edit=Footage that a Director does not wish to include is cut generally using software like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut or Garage Band.
8. Ethics=This deals with the specific ethical principles and standards of the mass media including the internet. It can cover a wide range of topics from Newspaper intrusion to explicit advertising,
9.  Exhibition=A feature or a short film is screened for the public, and it is preceded by production and distribution. This is the final stage.
10. Feature film=A long film which is usually exhibited in cinemas, often between 80-180 minutes in length.
11. Framing=The process by which the Photographer, Director or Camera operator chooses what to include in the shot. This is linked to Mise-en-scene.
12. Franchise=A series of films, TV games or other media products based on similar storylines or backgrounds. For example, Star Wars is found in Film, TV, website, games and toys. If a media product has a spin off or a sequel this is when it starts to become considered as a franchise.
13. Genre=Style or type. For example, sci-fi.
14. House style=The name given to the overall design concept applied to a magazine, website or media company. It can include the use of particular: fonts, colours, typography, idents, layouts, logos and images etc. This style helps the media text to differentiate between other competitors.
15. Ident=A symbol or a sequence associated with a media production. It can be found as an image, a short video sequence, a logo or an audio. It helps to identify who is responsible for the product.
16. Interactive media=This refers to products and services on digital media systems which responds to the Uses and Gratification theory by presenting text, graphics, animation, video and audio.
17. Jingle=A short and catchy piece of music or phrase associated with advertising and promoting and also to embed a message in audiences minds.
18. Logo=A sample image including the name of a product or company to identify it. This is a key element of house style.
19. Media conglomerate=A large multinational company for example, Walt Disney or Time-Warner.
20. Mise-en-scene=This is connected to framing. It regards to what is included within a shot. It contains: colour, expression, type of shot, props, setting, lighting, sound and costume.
21. Narration=Any spoken voiceover in order to set the scene, describe action or link sequence.
22. Niche audience/market= A niche is a fraction of a total audience or market, which is a small audience who have specific preferences and tastes.
23. Opening Sequence=This is the first part of a film, usually including or leading up to a credit sequence and it sets the characters, story (equilibrium.) Normally it ends on a cliff hanger or a moment of tension in hope that the audience will be attracted and fascinated to carry on watching.
24. Primary research=This consists of research to collect date. It can be done through questionnaires, surveys, focus groups or interviews.
25. Scene=A dramatic unit consisting single or several shots, within the same setting and period.
26. Secondary Research=This involves the collection and analyses of existing research.
27. Schedule=This includes the planned-time to complete pre-production and production processes. This is normally the first thing to be done during pre-production.
28. Script=This includes the lines of dialogue and directions to make it easier for the actors to understand the Directors perceptions and ideas.
29. Short film=This is produced to be shown at film festivals or on television, ranging from 5-60 minutes in length.
30. Shot=A single photograph or a single take from the Directors perspective.
31. Signposting=The technique which is used to establish the location at the beginning of the scene using visual or audio elements. This involves the establishing shot.
32. Slogan=A catchy and memorable phrase usually used as a jingle and to form the house style.
33. Storyboard=This is a visual development of the script which is often completed by the director so that he can make it clearer to the camera operator or the production team the vision of the shots. It will include elements of the mise-en-scene as well as camera movements, length of shot, types of shot and sound.
34. Synergy=combined action by two or more media groups/texts to exceed the sum of an individual in order to succeed a target.
35. Titles=The opening credits of a moving image with the title of the production company, an ident and the higher ranked cast and crew. Also including images from the associated product or appropriate themed music. The length often differs for example films like Watchmen or James Bond have quite long title lengths.
36. Treatment=A short outline of a media production designed to give a client or a production team the basic idea based on the brief. They are usually descriptive through sketches, images, mood board e.t.c. in order to sell the idea.
37. Voice-over=Any spoken narrative or description which is non-diegetic. Often used in the opening sequence to inform the audience of the setting.