Media Language Activity

Structualism has various approaches including Semiotics, Binary Oppositions, Enigma Codes, Narrative Structure and many more.  The whole idea orginated in France in the 1950s by the work of 'Ferdanan Saussure', Saussure believed that everything couldn't be understoof as isolation and people had to look at the 'bigger picture' and realise that various particular structures build up to form larger structures. Structuralism is attributed to various texts by the human mind which is very often based upon the cultural experience, for example we as humans signify the colour red as danger, not to enter or stop just overall as a negitive colour. To take a structual approach on something is to look at the 'bigger picture' instead of the individual text but to what actual influenced that particular piece of text as for example racism and Margret Thatcher influenced 'This is England'. Basically structuralists believe people should not just concentrate on one individual piece of text but to actually shift their attention from 'eggs to chickens' which generally means think outside the box to where the text came from and what influenced it.

For my G324 work at A2 i have chosen to create a trailer therefore to give me knowledge i will analyse another professional trailer or a poster that relates to my work i personally find inspirational, i would do this by anaylis what i see, the lighting, props used, and generally just the mise-en-scene that forms the whole text.

As you can see from the text above, a poster from the film 'Taken 2'. The use of the dark, negitive colours indicate that something negitive will happen in the film, The 'Taken 2' is in red which signifys that danger that will occur throughout the whole of the film. I personally find the white writing on the dark background very effective as it is contrasting and creates tension for the viewer as they're unaware of what is going to happen. The props used are dangerous, for example a gun, can kill someone which is foreshadowing for the viewer but indicates that Liam Neeson is most likely going to maybe defend himself of harm someone or something for some reason or another. Also the fact the producers have clearly stated 'Liam Neeson' is a main character within the film indicates it will be good film and more people are likely to want to see the film as he is a well known international actor that always plays a good role within a particular film. Lastly, the fact he is sitting on a chair within a dark room signifys he has maybe been captured of feels lonely for some reason or another.


Overall i personally think that the poster is very effective and will make the audience want to go and see 'Taken 2' due to various reasons, but it is a good way of promoting the film itself.