Research

Semiotics

03/03/2025

LO: To improve your analysis of media texts by applying media theory.

Semiotics- the study of signs, indicators, likeness, metaphors, symbolism, communication and iconography; things we use to derive meaning in the world around us. 

These can be anything that represents or indicates something else. In semiotic analysis we call this 'objects'.

3 kinds of Semiotic

1. Icon - when something resembles the object. Photo of a pipe represents a pipe. Map of London represents London.

2. Index - a sign that has an implied logical association with the object. Sunglasses and a cane indicate blindness. A heart shape indicate love.

3. Symbol - a sing that is not inherently connected to the object. The connection between the two is a conventional one particular to a culture or society is taught. Dotted lines on the road symbolising drivers can pass.   

Mind Map

12/03/2024

Soundscapes (Yasmin)

12/03/2025

Mind Map (Yasmin)

Using sound

A soundscape is where we use musical instruments to recreate the sounds of a particular place or situation, such as a city or a thunderstorm.

reference: BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Musical journeys: Making musical pictures. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmnhvj6. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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A soundtrack is a collection of songs featured in a movie, often songs with lyrics that can exist outside the movie as independent music. These songs may already be popular, or they might be specially composed for the movie, but they are used in specific scenes to add mood, emotion, or drama. 

Example: 

In Guardians of the Galaxy, the soundtrack includes famous old songs like “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Come and Get Your Love.” These songs are not specifically composed for the movie; they were pre-existing hits that added nostalgia and fun to the film. 

reference: LetsFame (2024). 2024’s Most Anticipated International and Indian Cinemas. [online] Letsfame.com. Available at: https://www.letsfame.com/blog/sound-score-vs-soundtrack-what-what-in-movies. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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Three composers

1. John Williams

John Williams (born February 8, 1932, Queens, New York, U.S.) is an American composer who created some of the most iconicfilm scores of all time. He scored more than a hundred movies, many of which were directed by Steven Spielberg. Williams is also known for his work on numerous Star Wars films.

From jazz pianist to film composer

After leaving the air force in 1954, Williams briefly studied piano at the Juilliard School of Music and worked as a jazz pianist in New York City, both in clubs and for recordings. He later returned to California, where he worked as a Hollywood studio pianist for such films as Some Like It Hot (1959), West Side Story(1961), and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). During that time he also began composing for television, writing songs for such shows as Wagon Train and Gilligan’s Island.

reference:Eldridge, A. (2019). John Williams | Biography, Movies, & Facts. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Williams-American-composer-and-conductor. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

John Williams’  movie soundtracks

Jaws (1975)

With two haunting notes, John Williams heralds the arrival of Bruce, the Great White Shark that lurks ominously in the depths of Amity Island’s idyllic beaches.

Borrowed from the triumphant third movement of Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony, this threatening shark motif played a huge part in making Spielberg’s film a major hit, and also won its composer an Oscar.

Williams described the theme as “grinding away at you, just as a shark would do, instinctual, relentless, unstoppable.”

And although Spielberg was not initially impressed by Williams’ idea when he heard it on the piano, he was eventually won over, and even allowed Williams to play clarinet on the final recording!

reference: www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Main Title/John Williams/Jaws (From The ‘Jaws’ Soundtrack). [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BePfzCOMRZQ. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

In 2001 John Williams pulled off the most magical move ever committed by a Muggle, with his bewitching score to the first Harry Potter film.

Flourishing strings, lilting woodwind, twinkling percussion and enchanting melodic leaps encapsulate all the dangers and delights of the wondrous wizarding world, with just a sprinkling of Williams’ signature magic musical touch.

Although other composers would take the reins for later films in the series, John Williams’ ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ is the only piece to make it into all eight films in the franchise.

reference: nEVA®️ending MUSIC (2024). Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Hedwig’s Theme (2001) - John Williams. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPUBDRmH3XQ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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reference: Classic FM. (2024). John Williams’ 10 greatest movie soundtracks of all time. [online] Available at: https://www.classicfm.com/composers/williams/john-williams-best-movie-soundtracks/. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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2. Danny Elfman

reference: Voice Magazine. (2021). Part C, Art Inspiration: Danny Elfman. [online] Available at: https://www.voicemag.uk/blog/8424/part-c-art-inspiration-danny-elfman [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

Danny Elfman, film composer, classical composer, singer-songwriter, and recording artist, has garnered international recognition for composing over 100 feature film scores, as well as compositions for television, stage productions, and the concert hall. Elfman has been Tim Burton's composer for more than 35 years, having scored 17 Burton films such as Batman, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Big Fish, Alice in Wonderland, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, as well as music, lyrics and songs for The Nightmare Before Christmas for which he also sang the part of Jack Skellington. Elfman was also the lead singer and songwriter for the LA rock band Oingo Boingo for 17 years

reference: DANNY ELFMAN. (n.d.). ABOUT. [online] Available at: https://www.dannyelfman.com/about. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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Danny Eflman sound works

reference: France Musique concerts (2017). Danny Elfman : ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France). [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfmjPwxspI. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

‌"The Night Before Christmas" is a delightful blend of Christmas cheer and Halloween spookiness. Elfman even provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington, adding another layer of depth and personality to the character.

reference: Youtu.be. (2025). Available at: https://youtu.be/CPOObJujnW4 [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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reference: https://www.facebook.com/Behind-the-Score-100232746148220/?ref=page_internal (2024). Music Of Danny Elfman - A Journey Through Scores | Film Music Theory. [online] Film Music Theory. Available at: https://filmmusictheory.com/article/music-of-danny-elfman-a-journey-through-scores/. [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

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3. Harry Gregson-Williams

Harry Gregson-Williams was born on December 13, 1961 in England to a musical family. Music came natural to harry. In his childhood Harry’s parents and siblings used to play musical instruments around the house therefore Harry grew up learning all about music and naturally followed in his family’s footsteps later on.

He started playing piano when he was only six years old but later showed some excellent vocal skills in singing which won him musical scholarship to St John’s College – a musical boarding school- at University of Cambridge. He daily dedicated several hours utterly to develop and enhance his skills in playing musical instruments but actually flourished as a chorister. As a choir member of the college he participated in numerous tours around Europe and did recordings in several musical sessions in TV and radio. At age of 12 Harry studied Latin and started composing music for the church. For the next few years he decided to devote his efforts in learning instrumental music only.

reference: FAMOUS COMPOSERS. (n.d.). Harry Gregson-Williams - Composer Biography, Facts and Music Compositions. [online] Available at: https://www.famouscomposers.net/harry-gregson-williams.[Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].

‌Harry Gregson-Williams sound work

reference: www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Fairytale. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbBAZ50bWJg.

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Exploring Location

Researching my topic

Secondary research

Location

02/05/2025

1. London Eye

2. Buckingham Palace
London is home to the Queen and the rest of the royal family, and Buckingham Palace is the official residence for the monarch

3. Carnaby Street
Located in the heart of Soho, Carnaby Street has over 150 shops, and over 50 independent restaurants and bars on offer.

4. St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s is one of the most recognizable buildings in London, and is a highlight of the city’s skyline.

reference:Brit Asia TV (2018). 10 FREE PLACES TO VISIT IN LONDON - BritAsia TV. [online] BritAsia TV. Available at: https://britasia.tv/10-free-places-to-visit-in-london/ [Accessed 2 May 2025].

5.China Town

Hot-dinners.com. (2025). Available at: https://www.hot-dinners.com/images/stories/blog/2020/chinatown.jpg [Accessed 9 May 2025].

Locations/places I will visit and already visited

12/05/2025

1. Bank station

reference: Pinimg.com. (2025). Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4d/96/b2/4d96b2a3bb76911545116c2c9aa9b274.jpg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

2. Richmond park

reference: Timeout.com. (2025). Available at: https://media.timeout.com/images/105179478/image.jpg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

3. South Kensington

reference: Bestgapp.co.uk. (2017). Available at: https://bestgapp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/South-Kensington.jpg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

4. Covent Garden Neal's Yard

reference: Bing.net. (2025). Available at: https://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.sqwfk_cAPn3fEFLCWYk9rgHaE8&pid=15.1 [Accessed 12 May 2025].

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5. Southend-on-Sea

reference:Cdn-hotels.com. (2025). Available at: https://a.cdn-hotels.com/gdcs/production58/d357/e9c0bd85-109b-4504-9113-f466568382d4.jpg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

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reference: Coastmagazine.co.uk. (2025). Available at: https://www.coastmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2018/05/southend2cristian_ispas.jpg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

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6. Ritz hotel

reference: Distincte.com. (2025). Available at: https://www.distincte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Shelbourne-ext.jpeg [Accessed 12 May 2025].

7. La Sagrada Familia Basilica, Spain

‌referene: City-sightseeing.com. (2022). Available at: https://bucket-files.city-sightseeing.com/blog/2023/06/sagrada1.jpg [Accessed 14 May 2025].

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reference: Cloudfront.net. (2025). Available at: https://d2prydcqrq5962.cloudfront.net/image/journal/article?img_id=1449311&t=1725365022903.

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Magazine spread or brochure

13/05/2025

Ideas about a magazine spread or brochure about location, A magazine spread is to illustrate how locations change over time using my pictures, I intend for a magazine to consist of 2 or 4 pages, with pictures and article writing with both research and own thoughts.

reference: Uniquemagazines.co.uk. (2025). Available at: https://images.uniquemagazines.co.uk/Large/355999-80107_1.jpg [Accessed 13 May 2025].

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reference: Envato.com. (2020). Available at: https://s3.envato.com/files/315370246/Screenshots/Screenshots_5.jpg [Accessed 13 May 2025].

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And I could also try to create the kind of brochure that would be given to people at a welcome spot or discovery area, where they can learn or explore the location.

reference: Behance.net. (2025). Available at: https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/e41fbc159122411.639880664e124.jpg [Accessed 13 May 2025].

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reference: Behance.net. (2025). Available at: https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400_opt_1/641aa9159122411.6398806651feb.jpg [Accessed 13 May 2025].

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