A guide for students of media studies, this text covers all the key topics and provides a detailed and accessible guide to concepts and debates. The book has been written by a lecturer and a freelance teacher, writer and chief examiner in the area, both aware of the needs of media students at all levels. Individual chapters include: languages of media; narratives; production techniques; production organization; genres; representations; ideologies and discourses; technologies; realisms; postmodernisms; globalization and alternatives; Advertising; marketing and fashion; audiences. The chapters are supported by individual case studies which include: Analyzing images; psycho; producing in the studio system; science fiction; stereotyping; selecting and constructing news; digital publishing and the Internet; realism and TV Police Series; pulp fiction; making and enjoying global music; who owns the media?; news corporation; making stars; public service broadcasting; making films outside the mainstream; local newspapers and advertising; selling audiences.