LEARNING MODULE IN MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

MODULE 6

TOPIC 4: Media and Information Language

Unlocking of Difficulties:

1. Language – It pertains to the technical, symbolic, or written codes and conventions that media and
information professionals may select and use in a n effort to communicate ideas, information and
knowledge.
2. Media Language – It is a codes, conventions, formats, symbols and narrative structures that indicate
the meaning of media messages to an audience.
3. Genre - comes from the French word meaning 'type' or 'class‘/ it can be recognized by its common
set of distinguishing features (codes and conventions)
4. Codes - are systems of signs, which create meaning.
5. Convention - are the generally accepted ways of doing something

Types of Codes
1. Technical Code - 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.

A. Camera Angles with Zach King. (2014). YouTube Channel: King Film School. Retrieved September 14,
2016

Basic Camera Shots Advance Camera Shots Camera Angles

Extreme Wide Shot Two shots Eye- Level

Wide Shot Cut Away High Angle

Medium Shot Over the Shoulder Low Angle

Medium close – up Point of Views Bird’s Eye View

Close – up Selected Focus Worm’s Eye View

Extreme Close - up Arc Shot Slanted (canted)

B. Three point lighting setups consist of three main lights: the KEY LIGHT, the FILL LIGHT, and the HAIR
LIGHT or it is called Back light.
 a) KEY LIGHT - is the first light that is placed in the set up, the purpose of the light being to light the
character fully, usually from slightly above or higher above the subject. The key light is usually
the brightest light of the three in the setup.
b) FILL LIGHT - is the second light that is placed in the set up, the purpose of the light being to fill in
the extra space that the key light does not hit, getting rid of any unwanted shadows created by
the height of the key. A fill light can be made with any light of the same temperature, or more
commonly can be made by reflecting a light off a bounce if you want a softer fill (for things such
as interviews, or narrative scenes where the characters are stagnant). The fill light is usually the
softest light of the three in the setup, but can vary between that and the back light.
c) HAIR LIGHT (BACK LIGHT) - is the third light that is placed in the set up, the purpose of the light
being to separate the subject from the background. The back light typically lights the subjects
head and sometimes shoulders, creating a "halo effect" and creates a visible outline around the
subject. A back light is placed anywhere behind the subject, up high shooting downward, on the
ground shooting up, from the side at subject height, etc. The strength of the back light can
drastically affect the dramatic feel of the scene.

2. Symbolic Code - The symbolic codes are the visual signs and images, which help represent a certain
genre.

3. Written Code - Use of language style and textual layout. (headlines, speech bubbles, captions,
language style, etc.)
 LEARNING MODULE IN MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY
MODULE 6

TOPIC 6: Media and Information Language

A. Take your own picture/video using different shots and angles.

Rubrics:
Content 15
Adherence to format 10
Creativity 5
Timeliness 5
Cooperation 5
Total 40 pts.

B. Create your own skit and video for different genre assign for your group.

Rubrics:
Content 25
Adherence to format 15
Creativity 10
Timeliness 5
Cooperation 5
Total 60 pts.