Exploring Stuart Hall's theories around representation

Make sure to click the above image to see in full size.

1 - When Hall uses the term language, what is he referring to? Is this the same meaning of language as you recognise?
2 - If signs do not have any "clear meaning in themselves", then where and how is meaning created?
3 - What is the difference between a representation and a presentation?
4 - Why are representations important? Who creates them? and for what purpose?

How can a standardised product become a brand leader?

All three of the above adverts were taken from Coca Cola's 2016 'taste the feeling' campaign.

• What is the ideological signification of these adverts?
• What can we tell about the producer’s ideals and values from these adverts?
• Who are Coca Cola's competitors, and in what ways is it differentiated from them? 

BONUS!!

Equipment resources AND MORE

You can find detailed instructions on how to operate our cameras, microphones, lights and MORE by following this link. 

You can also find it from the links bar on the left hand side of this blog.

The guide was created by Nadia, our technician, and it's absolutely excellent. Check it out!

Analysing print advertisements

Save one advert, insert the image in to a new blog post, and bullet point label the image exploring how it creates meaning for it's audience. 

Magazine preproduction - creating a rough flat plan

If you Google 'magazine flatplan' you'll see that what we are doing is slightly different, but it serves the same purpose. Before you start arranging, writing and taking pictures, you need a rough idea in your head of what the final magazine is going to look like.

1 - Find your 'inspirational' cover and double page spread. You will have already annotated these, and considered how they encode ideology and notions of celebrity. I've picked a spread from Kerrang! magazine.  You will also have a front cover.

2 - Grab two sheets of A3 paper. Turn one horizontal and fold it down the middle. This is your double page spread. The other sheet will be your front cover. 

3 - Now, simply sketch out your front cover and double page spread. This can be as rough as anything, but you will need to consider columns, gutters, images, sidelines, pull quotes, stand-firsts and everything else that a magazine is supposed to have. You can use your 'inspirational' magazine as a guide, but remember to hit the minimum requirements. For example you need at least four images. You may wish to have more! You can find a list of everything you need to include just below

4 - Submit your work to your teacher. You'll get some brief feedback next week if there's anything wrong with it. If it's fine, then you're good to go!

Remember: the deadline for shooting your images is coming up very soon! Make sure that you contact your models and sort out costumes, locations and equipment!

The magazine project

• Create a front cover and double page feature article for a new music magazine to promote your artist or band to the target audience.
• Length: 3 pages

Minimum requirements

• Your print production must be 3 pages in length, including at least 4 original images in total

Front cover

• Original title and masthead for the magazine; strapline
• Cover price and barcode
• Main cover image of the band or artist to establish their identity
• Main cover line relating to the artist or band plus at least 2 further cover lines

Double page spread

• An interview with the artist or band (or extract), approximately 300 words, to promote the new artist or band
• Headline and stand-first, sub-headings, columns
• One main image and at least 2 smaller/ minor images (all original and different from the images on the cover)
• Representations of at least one specific social group
• Pull quotes and/ or sidebar

Quantity over quality: Ten magazine challenge 2019 edition