Media Language - Technical, Visual and Audio Codes

Question 1

What are technical codes?

Answer 1

One of the ways in which a media product is constructed. Technical codes are where camera shots, angles and movements are edited together to communicate messages to an audience.

Question 2

Whats an ‘Extreme Close Up’?

Answer 2

This is where the camera focuses on a subject or object from a very intimate perspective. It creates a sense of enigma.

Question 3

Whats a ‘Close Up’?

Answer 3

This is where the camera focuses on a characters head/face in order to capture the emotion and tension, making the audience feel more involved with the character.

Question 4

Whats a ‘Medium Close Up’?

Answer 4

This frames the subject from just above the head to just below the chest. It captures the subject’s facial expression and body language while still leaving some background in the frame.

Question 5

Whats a ‘Mid Shot’?

Answer 5

This reveals half of the body. The shot is taken from above the head to just below the waist.

Question 6

Whats a ‘Long Shot’?

Answer 6

This is shot from a considerable distance, where the audience can see the entirety of a subject, with their head being near the top of the frame and feet being near the bottom of the frame.

Question 7

Whats an ‘Over the Shoulder Shot’?

Answer 7

A shot in which the camera is placed just behind an “off-screen” actor so that their shoulder is in the frame while you capture the “on-screen” actor’s coverage.

Question 8

Whats a ‘Two Shot’?

Answer 8

This is where the camera frames a view of two people stood parallel to one another.

Question 9

Whats a ‘Point of View Shot (POV)’?

Answer 9

This is where the camera positions the audience from another character’s perspective.

Question 10

What’s an ‘Extreme Long Shot’?

Answer 10

A view from an even greater distance, in which people appear as small and the setting/landscape dominares the frame.

Question 11

Whats an ‘Establishing Shot’?

Answer 11

This is used to establish a new location and often occurs at the beginning of a film/tv show or at the start of a new scene.

Question 12

What’s a ‘High-Angle Shot’?

Answer 12

Where the camera is positioned high up framing the character below. It is often a technique used to represent vulnerability.

Question 13

Whats a ‘Low-Angle Shot’?

Answer 13

Where the camera is positioned from a low position, framing the character in a high position. This displays the character as dominant and threatening.

Question 14

What are Visual Codes?

Answer 14

The means by which media products contain messages to an audience.

Question 15

What are the 8 main Visual Codes?

Answer 15

1. Clothing
2. Expression
3. Gestures
4. Technique
5. Colours and Lighting
6. Body Language
7. Iconography and Setting
8. Typography

Question 16

Visual Code - Clothing

Answer 16

Communicates messages about the person

Question 17

Visual Code - Expression

Answer 17

It is a way in which messages are communicated rapidly. It is a non-verbal communicator. Combined with close up shots, emotions can be clearly represented in a text and earily interpreted by an audience.

Question 18

Visual Code - Gestures

Answer 18

They are non-verbal communicators and, as such, cross language barriers. Characters can convey emotions easily through the code of gesture, for example a shrug, a wave or something more aggressive or offensive.

Question 19

Visual Code - Technique

Answer 19

The way in which a product is constructed and presented conveys meaning. For example, the use of black and white photography in an advertising campaign.

Question 20

Visual Code - Colours and Lighting

Answer 20

Can transmit messages and in some cases are a key part of the product construction.

For example, in fragrance advertisement they can suggest the type of fragrance being marketed even though the audience cannot smell it.

Question 21

Visual Code - Body Language

Answer 21

It is a non-verbal communicator that conveys messages of emotion, feelings and a person’s character.

Question 22

Visual Code - Iconography

Answer 22

Objects, settings and backgrounds within a media product that contain meanings. Some objects take on significance beyond the literal meaning.

Question 23

Visual Code - Typography

Answer 23

The graphics contained within the product are significant and establish meaning.

Question 24

What are ‘Audio Codes’?

Answer 24

Audio is anything to do with sounds, but just like technical and visual codes - audio codes contain semiotics. Therefore, sound can also convey messages and meanings to the audience.

Question 25

What are the 2 types of Audio Codes?

Answer 25

1. Digetic Sound
2. Non-Digetic Sound

Question 26

Whats a ‘Digetic Sound’?

Answer 26

Sound that comes from inside of the fictional word.

E.g. dialogue, birds chirping.

Question 27

Whats a ‘Non-Digetic Sound’?

Answer 27

Sounds that come from outside.

E.g. voiceover, heartbeat, soundtrack.