Codes & Conventions

When we look at any form of media, we read it trying to determine

what it says, or what it means. All media texts communicate
symbolically through the use of specific codes and conventions.

Symbolic Codes: show what is beneath the surface of what we see.

For example, a character's actions show you how the character is
feeling. Colour can be used to represent ideas, such as red being used
to represent passion or aggression.
- Colour: All colours have connotations depending on their context.
For example: White generally symbolises good, where as black is
often used for bad/evil.
- Clothing: Assists in creating characters and era.
- Body Language: Vital in developing mood and assisting with
character creation.
- Setting: Creates a sense of time and place.
Technical Codes: are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell
the story in a media text, for example the camera work in a film, or
lighting, or sound.
Camera Angle:
- Overshot
- High Angle
- Eye Level
- Low Angle
- Undershot
Camera Movement:
- Tracking: when the camera is following the subject.
- Panning: When a camera is mounted on a tripod and moves
horizontally (left to right).
- Tilting: When a camera is mounted on a tripod and moves
vertically (up and down).
- Framing: also known as shot sizes includes the close up, long
shot and medium shot. All shot sizes have a specific function.
For example, a close up assists with detail and emotion.
Acting:
- Facial Expressions: help the audience read the characters'
emotions. Look at the actors eyes and what they are telling you.
this is a clue to the emotions they are expressing to the
audience.
- Body Language: How the actor is standing and the body
language used can show the audience the characters feelings or
thoughts. Are they standing tall? Are their arms crossed?
Another key aspect to remember is that this actor was instructed
by the director during the making of this film.
Audio Codes
 - Music: used to assist with the creation of atmosphere. For
example, high pitch strings often signal tension or building of
suspense.
- Dialogue: is used to convey the narrative. When characters are
speaking.

Mise en Scene refers to everything we see within the frame. This

includes: the set, costume, colour, props and overall lighting. It also
refers to how these items are places within the frame. Nothing is there
by accident. Mise en Scene can help the audience piece together the
story. It sometimes gives us clues as to where the story is going to go,
as well as the genre of the film.
Lighting: used to create a specific atmosphere. Dark lighting for an
ominous feel and light and bright for a cheerful connotation.
- WARM: Lighting that has warm yellow/orange tones.
- COOL: Lighting that has cool green/blue tones.
- HIGH KEY:When a scene is well lit and casts minimal shadows.
- LOW: When lighting is low and casts lots of shadows.
- NATURALISTIC: This is the term to use when the lighting looks
natural.
Conventions: are the generally accepted ways of doing something.
For example, to represent the start of a gun fight, westerns use a
particular type of music, or show tumbleweed blowing across a street.
 Codes & Conventions: Fear of Flying or The Notebook

Symbolic Codes
- Colour:

- Clothing:

- Body Language:

- Setting:

Technical Codes:
- Camera Angle:

- Camera Movement:

Acting:
- Facial Expressions:

- Body Language:

Audio Codes:
- Music:

- Dialogue:

Mise en Scene:

Lighting
- WARM:
- COOL:
- HIGH KEY:
- LOW:
 - NATURALISTIC:

Conventions: