Group 3 Post here

reply to this post with your questions

1.All media are constructs
What technologies were used in the construction of this media?
The photograph was taken using appropriate lighting, the photo was edited onto an appropriate background, the text is edited onto the image and the image was printed onto a piece of paper.

What form of media is used to send this message?
This media is in the form of a poster.

Where is the main focus of this piece of media? (Where is the eye drawn to? Is the rule of thirds used?)
The eye is drawn to the ring because of the lighting of the poster.

2.The media construct reality
Are the characters in this media real, fictional or animated? (Are actors or models used?)
The character in this poster is fictional. He is played by an actor.

What does this say about how the world works?
Because of the focus on the ring, the media suggests that the world revolves around material possessions.

How is the media supposed to make us feel?
The poster has a mysterious mood which causes the audience to feel curious and be drawn to the ad.

Who created/designed this piece of media and from what bias do they write?
The designer of this poster was hired by the marketing team for the movie, therefore the designer wishes to portray the movie in a way which will promote it and encourage audience members to see the movie.

3.The Audience Negotiate Meaning
What codes and conventions are used?
The lighting is used to draw attention to Frodo’s face and to make it appear that he is transfixed with the ring.
Frodo’s facial expression appears worried which increases suspense and increases the appeal of the movie.

Who is this piece of media designed for? (target market?)
This poster is designed for movie goers between the ages of 13 and 50, however the poster can be posted in public as it does not contain any images inappropriate for audience members outside of the target market.

How might someone misinterpret this piece of media?
Frodo’s facial expression may cause audience members to believe that he is sad therefore the movie will be depressing. His facial expression may also cause audience members to think that he is scared therefore, the movie is a horror film.

How is the media designed to encourage the audience to feel or think a certain way?
It is designed so that the audience can relate and/or connect to the characters facial expressions which, in turn makes you more attracted to the advertisement because it makes you think.

4.Media have commercial implications
What is the media trying to sell?
This poster advertisement is trying to sell anything related to The Lord of the Rings and/or the people who are related to it (i.e. Peter Jackson). For example they are trying to sell, the poster itself, the movie, key chains, the books, action figures, etc.

What is the media trying to relate the product to in order to encourage sales?
The media is trying to relate the product to a feeling (this feeling differs depending on the audience) and this feeling attracts the audience to the ad which, will then attract them to the product.

Who is making a profit from this advertisement?
Anyone associated to The Lord of the Rings. This includes anyone who has contributed to either the book or the movie.

5.Media contain value and ideological messages
How are the producers trying to make the audience buy into their values or point of view?
They make the poster look appealing to the eye and attractive and therefore we feel like there values are good and correct.

How is this media meant to affect, change or enforce the audience’s opinion on the topic of the media?
Being a movie poster, this medium is trying to make us want to see the movie. Therefore even people who do not like movies, will want to see the film.

What does this media consider to be “right” or “moral”?
The media considers having gold to be a good thing because the actor is concerned about the ring and it looks as if he desperately wants it.


Who created this media and what is their opinion on the topic of the media?
The producers and directors created the idea for the poster and therefore their opinions of the media are optimistic.

6.Media have social and political implications
What images are used to portray political figures or ideas?
The ring can portray the symbol for marriage and according to political values marriage is socially correct. The ring can also represent wealth because it is made out of gold.

Is the media left or right wing?
Since the ring can symbolize marriage, the media is very right ring because marriage is a right wing bias.

What civil rights issues, national issues and global concerns are involved in the construction of this media or are involved in the message of this media?
Since the background is dark and bleak it looks like it has a lot of pollution. Pollution is a global concern and the message could therefore be that due to our obsession for material goods we are polluting our world.

7.Form and content are closely related in the media
What form does this message take?
The media takes the form of a movie poster.

How does the form “massage the message”?
Since the poster is a still picture, we are able to focus on it longer and get more information and content from it.

Does the form affectively portray the message?
The form does affectively portray the message because every bit of information the poster gives is accurate to how the movie is.

8. Each medium has a unique aesthetic form
What different colours, patterns, lines etc. are used to attract the audience to the media?
The ring itself is very attractive and beautiful because of the lighting they used and how it is framed on the poster.

Is the media pleasing to the eye? Why or why not?
Due to the mystery of the poster, we are attracted to the medium and therefore it can be pleasing to the eye.

Who is the target audience of this media?
The target audience is anyone who is interested in movies or anyone who has read The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. This medium is also targeted to anyone over the age of 13 because the film has been given a PG-13 rating.

I felt that this group had great points of view but that it was not deep enough into the meaning of the advertisement. i.e.

How might someone misinterpret this piece of media?
Frodo’s facial expression may cause audience members to believe that he is sad therefore the movie will be depressing. His facial expression may also cause audience members to think that he is scared therefore, the movie is a horror film.

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This quotation is an example of an answer that could have been embellished. Not only would the audience analyze Frodo's face, but also the colour theme that was chosen, the simplicity, or the resemblence that the whole image has in texture with many classic paintings. Many things could have been drawn out.

An answer that I really liked was:

What does this say about how the world works?
Because of the focus on the ring, the media suggests that the world revolves around material possessions.

This answer was given very objectively, because they did not consider the storyline while giving their answer. This can be good or bad but it is good because anyone who hasn't seen the movies or read the books would also analyze it in such a way. This is unfortunate for anyone producing this movie.
The way that this answer could backfire is the fact that it did not consider the storyline. This means that the ring not only represents material possesion, but power as well.

I think that much of what was said regarding this media piece was accurate and clearly stated. Some things could have used more detail though, for example, "What is the media trying to relate the product to in order to encourage sales?
The media is trying to relate the product to a feeling (this feeling differs depending on the audience) and this feeling attracts the audience to the ad which, will then attract them to the product." When this was said i was left questioning what feeling it is that you are refering to.