This weeks lectorial was about textual analysis. The main discussion was about what aspects we have to look at when analyzing a text. Basically, the key aspects are:

• Sign/signifier/signified – can be visual, linguistic, aural, or a combination of all
• Denotation – the literal meaning or first order meaning
• Connotation – the cultural meaning or second order meaning
• Codes – can be visual or aural, depending on the text. They have symbolic value
• ‘Myth’/ideology – a set of beliefs that are held by society.

Texts can come in many different forms, but by definition, they are the material traces that are left of the practice of sense-making. So, they can literally be written text, but they can also come in visual and audio form. As I mentioned in my previous post, we put our discussion to practice when we were asked to analyze an image from a GQ magazine. We concluded that it displays how the advertised attire maintains some formality whilst remaining comfortable enough for leisurely wearing.

Another topic that was discussed was the legal side of film making. I’ll admit, I did find this discussion a little intimidating. To me it all sounded like, “one slip up, and you could potentially have a criminal record”. But at the same time, it’s fascinating how the rules actually work. It really separates the amateurs from the professionals.