Codes and Conventions of Film

Codes

Codes are a a system of signs that are used to communicate

messages.

In MEDIA we separate codes into

Symbolic
Written
Audio
Technical
 Conventions

Conventions are the conventional or accepted ways of using

codes to create meaning. These are strongly tied into Genre
and (Media) Form.

For instance in a Western, a church setting is a sign of

civilisation and the East; but in a romantic comedy, a church
is a sign of reconciliation (through marriage) of the main
characters, who usually get married.

Think of it like this – codes are like ingredients and

conventions are the recipe. The same ingredients
(codes) used in a different recipe (conventions) will
produce a different result.
 Symbolic

 Setting  Objects  Make-up

The time and place Props used in the film. Makeup can be used to
Can be essential to make an actor look
in which the
the narrative - eg, like the character
narrative is set.
the gun used at a they are supposed
crime scene in a to be playing.
 Costume police drama. Illness or ageing.
Costumes can be  Lighting
 Body Language/
clothing or masks. Facial Expressions Gels (filters) used in
They are used to We know a lot about a the light can create
help create the character by the a warm atmosphere,
character, and to way they act, their or symbolise love or
suit the genre. posture and habits. danger.
 Written
 Subtitles
Are used in foreign films released
here, so that we can understand
the narrative. Subtitles can also
be used to indicate a change of
place or time in the narrative, or
to give information to the
audience, such as the beginning
of Star Wars.
 Signs
Used to convey information.
Position in the frame is important
 Credits
Audiences will often have
expectations based on their
knowledge of the Directors or
Stars. Credits can also indicate
genre (eg. Opening credits for a
special horror episode of The
Simpsons, uses ghoulish
writing ..
 Speech Bubbles
Generally used in comics or
cartoons, sometimes used in tv
and film for effect, eg Sin City.
 Audio

 Dialogue (diagetic)  Music

The mood reinforces the
Character’s speech. This helps to
atmosphere of a particular
drive the narrative. We know
scene. To create suspense, this
what is happening by the
music builds and gets gradually
interaction between characters.
faster, indicating that something
Might be internal dialogue.
is about to happen.
 Silences  Sound Effects (non-diagetic)
One of the effective uses of silence is
All sorts of sound effects are used in
just after the music builds to a
film and television. These are
climax in a suspenseful scene.
sounds that have been added in
There is absolute silence for a
after the shot has been filmed.
fraction of a second before the
Heavy breathing, birds,
action happens.
 Technical

Technical codes are the codes of construction - that is, the devices that
are used by the film-maker to create an image.
 Camera Distance

Extreme Wide or
Long Shot
(EWS or ELS)
Establishing
Shot

Establishes a scene.
Informs the audience
of the location of the
action.
 Camera Distance

Long Shot
(LS)
The LS can also
inform the audience of
the location of the
scene and introduce
characters. In the LS
the audience can see
the character from
head to toe and some
of the characters
surrounds.
 Camera Distance

Medium or Mid
Shot
(MS)
Establishes the
interplay of
characters. It reveals
enough detail of a
character’s face for
the audience to be
involved in what the
character is saying
but not so much that
we are interested in
that person. Two or
more people may be
in a mid-shot.
 Camera Distance

Medium Close
Up (MCU)

Used for dialogue as

it allows for a good
view of the face. This
shot will also
sometimes be 'dirty' in
that you can
sometimes see over
the shoulder of one of
the characters.
 Camera Distance

Close Up (CU)

Concentrates on one
person’s face or any
one detail in a scene.
Used to focus
audience attention on
one specific detail,
heighten dramatic
impact or relate to a
characters personal
feelings, attitude or
current situation.
 Camera Distance

Extreme Close
Up (ECU)
Fills the shot with a
single image, perhaps
a small part of a
greater whole; a rifle
barrel, a smiling
mouth, an eyeball.
This can be a
powerfully dramatic
shot and can produce
a shock effect. Also
useful as a 'cut away'
to mask an edit point
 Camera Angles

 Low Camera Angle

(LCA)

The 'Hero' shot. The

subject in the LCA
assumes greater size,
strength and
importance. A LCA is
used to emphasis the
height and dominance
of a subject and may
make the viewer feel
apprehensive or
frightened.
 Camera Angles

 Eye Level (EL)

The subject in the EL is at

the same level as the
viewer. It gives a neutral
viewpoint and is the most
commonly used camera
angle.
 Camera Angles

 High Camera Angle

(HCA)

A HCA places the viewer

above and looking down
on the subject. The subject
seems to diminish in size
and importance and may
appear vulnerable.
 Camera Movement
 Pan
The camera is stationary but moves
on a horizontal axis. The PAN is
used to follow a subject or to
show the relationship between
two different things within a
scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=h9KotFUwHMU
 Zoom
Lens change between Wide and
Telephoto. Difficult to do well.
You aren't allowed any until year
12.http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9Sj89hMVYhI
 Tilt
The camera may tilt up or down on
a vertical axis to reveal more.
The tilt can be used to create
suspense.
tilt shot example
 Dolly
Camera physically moves
towards/away from the
targethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=vHFr9jCXuwg
 Jib Crane
Capable of providing Pan and Tilt
shots at the same time. Camera
moves at the end of a lever.
 http://vimeo.com/14383196