Codes and convections
- 1. Narrative codes and convections The stylistic codes and convections include the following of Symbolic codes Technical codes Written codes
- 2. Symbolic codes Symbolic codes are codes of a system, they are used to create meaning giving the audience deeper effect. Symbolic codes involved and include with the following • Setting – the time and place of the narrative • Mise en scene – set design, costumes, props ect. • Acting – actor portrays the character in the media product • Color – highly cultural and strong references towards the media product These are code that live outside of the media product and that is understood in a 'real life' perspective towards the audience an example of this would be a character within the film handing a red rose this suggest a romantic element where two characters are involved in a relationship audience will notice the meaning of the action immediately
- 3. Technical codes Technical codes are codes from a certain media form and remain within it no in the outside world, for example different camera shots with their connotations make sense within media such as films and photographs but are irrelevant to the outside form these include. • Camerawork –how the camera is operated • Editing – manipulating and arranging images and sound ie. Special edits • Audio – diegetic/non diegetic audio, natural use of sound ie. Dialogue, sound effects and music • Lighting – manipulating of natural or artificial light I.e colour, direction and more
- 4. Written codes Written codes are a form of formal written language that is used within a media product in similarity to the codes of symbolic and technical. Written codes are used to enforce the narrative of communication about characters, issues and themes, this code is through spoken language including music lyrics and dialogue.
- 5. Conventions Story convention These are common in narrative structures understanding in telling a story within a media product such as • Narrative structures • Cause and effect • Point of view Genre Convention Is the common use of characters, setting or theme in a certain medium. Genre convention are linked with the audience's expectation and come in different forms such as • Formal • Thematic
- 6. Mise en scene • Mise en scene is the alignment of scenery, props and more. Mise en scene appears before the camera and its arrangement with the following • Composition • Actors • Lighting • Costumes This is important part of the film production process to achieve a numbered amount of effects. It is used to make a character seem more mysterious by shading outlines of the characters face or body showing the state of the characters position and hidden emotions