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SESSION 01: TRAINER'S NOTES.
 
 LIGHTS, CAMERAS, SIGNIFIERS.
 (AN INTRODUCTION TO SEMIOTICS.)
 
Objective:
 
·        A warm up exercise for the group.
·        An introduction to Semiotics.
 
 
This will act as a warm-up exercise for the group, whether they know each other, or not. Provide a short introduction around the idea that each media production is a mystery story, a coded message. Once we ‘break the code’, the mystery is solved, we can begin a fuller interpretation of the production. This is a semiotic approach. You can use some of the information in the Handout for your introduction

How to proceed:

(1) Have a bundle of cards with concepts on them (e.g. Secret Agent, Wisdom, a Space Movie etc.) one per card. Each participant selects one card at random. Participants then pair off for discussion and collaboration. This provides an opportunity for people to get to know each other.

(2) The participants, acting as ‘director of a movie or television show’, write down at least three signifiers to indicate to the audience the message they wish to convey. (In the case of the Space Movie: a ray gun, a bug-eyed monster and a space suit, etc.)

(3) Each pair can confer and advise each other as they identify their signifiers, which are codes, or clues that the viewer must ‘break’ in order to understand the message.

(4) Give ten minute for this exercise. Group then re-assembles and each person reads their signifiers and sees who can guess the concept. A general discussion can then ensue in relation to the idea of signifiers in the media.
A hand out will be supplied to elaborate on the concept of ‘signifiers’ in the media.
 
Materials:                        
 
Cue cards with subject and space for three clues.
Exercise sheets to be handed to participants.

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