Codes:
Media students identify three categories
of codes that may be used to
convey meanings in media messages:
TECHNICAL
CODES Include camera techniques, framing, depth of field, Mise en
scene, editing, lighting and sound.
SYMBOLIC
CODES Refers to objects, setting, body language, clothing and colour.
WRITTEN
CODES In
the form of headlines, captions, speech bubbles and language style.
Conventions:
Conventions are the generally accepted
ways of doing something, in the case of media texts, they are generally
accepted patterns of code that communicate a particular message.
There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of quotes in a
print article, but conventions are also genre specific. For example, in
Westerns fights scenes are generally shot from a low angle, the setting is
usually dusty and desolate, even the sounds used within the scene are
conventional, such as castanets, or some sort of whistle.
The purpose: The
purpose
of a film opening is to show
action and
begin the viewers interest so they get immediately hooked into the film. The film
opening will
also clearly state the genre of the film, you will also most likely see either the
protagonist or
antagonist.
Timing conventions: Most film
openings are around 2 minutes
long.
However major blockbusters may be up to 5 minutes.
Set the scene Year
of setting, location etc.
Introduce the
key characters: Protagonist,
Antagonist,
sidekick etc.
Introduce pre
plot or beginning of the
narrative.
Establishes platform/
scene.
Key credits Such
as production
company, logos
and director.
Usually starts
with equilibrium.
A key
event will occur.
