K4tie

S t r a n g e r t h i n g s In the opening eight minutes of Stranger Things  the mise-en-scène, makeup, and costume all work together to establish the show’s eerie yet nostalgic atmosphere. The episode begins in the Hawkins National Laboratory, a dimly lit and sterile environment filled with metallic walls, flickering fluorescent lights, and scientific equipment that immediately creates tension and mystery. The low-key lighting and confined corridors heighten the sense of fear and secrecy, while the contrast to the warm, softly lit suburban scenes that follow evokes comfort and familiarity. Props such as control panels and alarms in the lab, and Dungeons & Dragons game pieces and walkie-talkies in the kids’ basement, ground the story in both science fiction and 1980s childhood adventure. Makeup is kept natural and realistic — the scientists appear slightly sweaty and anxious, reflecting the stress of the unfolding danger, while the children’s clean, youthful looks emphasize in...

 

Connotations & Denotations  I n the advert, we can see a young boy sitting outside. He is wearing an old, faded blue shirt which shows he may not have many clothes. His facial expression is serious and sad, which immediately grabs attention. Behind him, there is a mud wall, suggesting the houses are made from natural, simple materials. The background is very bright, showing the hot sun and giving the sense of a dry climate. The advert also uses bold white text on the left side which is large and easy to read. At the top, we can see the WaterAid logo, making it clear which charity is behind the message. The mud wall connotes poverty and a lack of proper housing, showing the child lives in difficult conditions. The strong sunlight connotes hardship and struggle, suggesting the environment is harsh and resources are scarce. The boy’s sad and serious expression connotes suffering and desperation, which makes the audience feel sympathy and guilt. The phrase “Dig toilets, not graves”...

  Key Concept Analysis Language: The poster for Dexter uses language that blends irony, persuasion, and clarity to capture attention. The tagline, “The Return of America’s Favourite Serial Killer,” employs hyperbole and irony by presenting a murderer as a beloved figure, while the use of “America’s” creates a sense of cultural significance. The bold red title, simply DEXTER  conveys familiarity while evoking blood and danger. Informational language like “Season Premiere Sunday Sept 30, 9PM ET” is presented in all caps for urgency and clarity, anchoring the event in time. Persuasive phrases such as “Watch Free During the Showtime Free Preview” and “Order Showtime now for $6.95 or less per month for 3 months” use repetition, imperatives, and emphasis on value to drive subscriptions. Overall, the language combines dark humour with promotional urgency, reflecting the show’s mix of sinister subject matter and playful, ironic tone. Audience: The target audience for the Dexter ...

  Media studies blog First blog task   1) Which part of Media are you looking forward to the most? I’m really looking forward to the photography part of Media because I like taking pictures and being creative. I want to learn how to take better photos and how to edit them properly. 2) What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in the media? To be able to understand all types of media and to be able to understand the purpose of media. 3) What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media? I would like to be able to achieve at least a grade 6 or 7. 4) What device do you use most to access the media? (The media = news, TV, music, film, social media etc.)  Mostly my phone to use social media and also Tv to watch news.  5) What is your average 'screen time' (or equivalent) on your phone each day. Is this about right, too little or too much? Why?  Sometimes it can be too much but I have learnt to control my time on my phone so it can be just about right. ...