Lesson 5 Flashcards
System of signs which create meaning
Codes
The physical elements that the audience experiences, which bring the narrative conventions to the media form.
Media Codes
The formal written language used in a media product. It can be used to advance a narrative and communicate information about a character or issues and themes in the media product.
Written Codes
Examples of written codes
- Headlines
- Captions
- Speech Bubbles
- Subtitles
- Language Styles
Examples of written codes in print
- Typography
- Images
- Layout
- White & Negative Space
- Framing
Are ways in which equipment is used to tell the story
Technical Codes
Examples of technical codes
- Camera
- Lighting
- Acting
- Color Grading
Refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved for specific effects.
Camerawork
A film lighting technique that goes beyond the standard three-point lighting setup to add drama, depth, and atmosphere to the story.
Utilizes lighting tricks like bouncing light, diffusing light, and adjusting color temperatures.
Lighting
It refers to the location that the light source is placed in relation to the subject.
Direction of lighting
The light source is placed in front of the subject. It is a neutral lighting that diffuses shadows on the face. You will find it is mostly used for portraits or to emphasize an object or subject.
Frontal lighting
The light source is placed on either side of the subject (right or left). It creates a shadow on one half of the subject and sculpts the subject’s features. The contrast between light and shadow creates a sense of mystery.
Sidelight
The light source is placed behind the subject. It creates silhouettes and a glowing effect on the subject. This is used to create a dramatic effect and emphasise the subject in a mysterious way. You may see directors use backlighting to introduce a superior character without revealing their identity.
Backlighting
Light source is placed underneath the subject and shines upwards. It can either be used as a monumental lighting (light up a statue) or distort the subject’s features (ghost stories around the campfire). It creates feelings of fear, curiosity or awe.
Underlighting
The light source is placed above the subject and shines downwards. It tends to glamourise the subject. It places the subject in a divine light. As such, we usually feel awe, pride to dominance.
Top lighting
Show what is beneath the surface of what we see (ex. objects, setting, body language, clothing, color). It includes the language, dress or actions of characters, or iconic symbols that are easily understood.
Symbolic codes
Visual Codes
- Setting
- Location
A set design can be seen as realistic or stylistic. A realistic set design strives to look exactly how the setting may look in real life. This may include intricate building of sets or shooting on location. This may have a connection to the genre of the narrative.
Settings
Includes the wardrobe choices and make-up that is used to convey a character’s status or personality. It can have a wide variety of other functions. They can help signify the setting or era of the narrative, can play important roles in the plot of the film, draw the eye to a specific character or help point out the difference between characters or the setting.
Costumes
Is short for property, another term borrowed from the theatre. It is when an object in the setting has a function within the ongoing action. They are often closely linked to the plot of the narrative, or a cause and effect relationship. If it is repeated throughout the narrative, it may become a motif, and connected to a theme or moral of the story.
Props
It refers to how elements within the frame have been arranged for a particular effect. This includes its position within the frame and its relationship with other elements within the frame.
Staging and Composition
Audio Codes
- Scoring
- Sound effects
- Dialogue
- Jingles
Repeated ways of constructing media works, using codes that, over time, have become accepted by audiences. (e.g. a fade to black indicates time has passed; a scene of a car chase will include dramatic music).
Media Conventions
The meanings that are constructed by codes and conventions are…?
culturally determined
