Codes and Convention

INSTRUCTIONS
Identify the names and

meaning of the symbols.
CHOICES
A. Ying Yang - A significant symbol in Chinese philosophy which
signifies balance
B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

trade and negotiation.
C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

signifies Holy Trinity. Also represents the 3 promises: a
D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear
E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

in some cultures.
SYMBOL 1
CHOICES
signifies balance



in some cultures.
SYMBOL 2
CHOICES
signifies balance



in some cultures.
SYMBOL 3
CHOICES
signifies balance



in some cultures.
SYMBOL 4
CHOICES
signifies balance



in some cultures.
SYMBOL 5
CHOICES
signifies balance



in some cultures.
MEDIA
LANGUAGE
Media and Information Literature
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify codes, convention, and message and how
they affect the audience, producers, and other
stakeholders.
• Reflect on how important information can be
conveyed to create the desired impression.
• List the codes and convention observed from the
short film.
MEDIA LANGUAGE
Media language denotes how media

producers make meaning about a certain
medium they are producing and how they
transfer the meaning to their target
audience
MEDIA LANGUAGE
These signs and symbold used in media

text do not have a single meaning. It is
expected that audiences have different
interpretations and will use different
meaning systems.
DENOTATIVE MEANING
It is the literal meaning of the media

text
DENOTATIVE MEANING
It is the literal meaning of the media

text
CONNOTATIVE MEANING
Refers to the various interpretations that

the text suggests to the audience which
are often associated with their culture,
values, beliefs, etc.
MEDIA CODES AND CONVENTION
In interpreting the meaning of the media

text, you have to be able to understand two
of the most significant aspects of media and
information language - the codes and
conventions
MEDIA CODES
Commonly have an established

meaning, denotation or
connotation, to the target
audience.
MEDIA CONVENTIONS
Refer to the possible method

in which codes are organized
in a product.
Symbolic Codes
• They are audience-based

• The meaning of the product is not
based on the product itself but in the
interpretation of the audience.
Symbolic Codes
• For example, a film with a scene

waving a white flag symbolizes
“retreat” or “surrender”
• In reality, the audience who sees
someone do that may interpret it the
same way
Symbolic Codes: Setting
• Refers to the time and place of the

narrative or a specific scene
Symbolic Codes: Mise en Scene
• It is a French term that means

“Everything within the frame.”
• Describes all the features (set design,
costume, props, staging) within a
frame of media products
Symbolic Codes: Acting
• Refers to the portrayal of the actors

in creating media products.
Symbolic Codes: Color
• They are highly connotative when it

comes to interpretations.
• It is usually associated with cultural
aspects
Technical Codes
• Refer to codes specific to a media

form alone. The knowledge and
connotations of different camera
angles and shots make sense when
looking at films and photographs.
Technical Codes
• Includes camerawork, editing, audio,

and lighting
Technical Codes: Camera Shots
• Camera shot types are also referred

to as viewing distance.
• They describe the distance between
the camera and the subject.
Technical Codes
Close-up Shot Mid Shot Long Shot
An object or an actor’s head An actor is seen from the An actor’s entire body is
takes up most of the screen. waist up (this is the most seen as well as some of the
It is used to reveal emotion common type of shot). It setting. It shows a character's
through facial expression. shows emotion through emotion through posture and
facial expression as well as gesture.
body language.
Technical Codes
Extreme Close-Up Shot Extreme Long Shot
This is a very close shot and may be only This shows the landscape of the film with
a small part of an object or person. It is a barely visible character in the distance.
used to raw our focus to show a specific It is used to show setting or make a
detail. person look small or vulnerable in their
surroundings.
Technical Codes: Camera Angles
• Camera angles are also referred to as

viewing perspective.
• They describe the angle ofthe camera
in relation to the subject.
High Angle Low Angle Eye Level Shot
The camera is positioned The camera is positioned The audience sees the
above the subject, looking below the subject, looking subject straight on (this is
down. This makes the up. It makes the subject the most common type of
subject looks small, weak, looks large, imposing and shot). The subject is
powerless or insignificant. powerful. observed with no bias.
Birdseye Undershot Dutch Tilt
View
The camera is placed The camera is positioned The camera is tilted on it’s
overhead or directly above directly beneath the subject. axis so it produces an image
the subject. Characters and It is often coupled with that is similar to tilting
objects are made to look point-of-view shots when one’s head on the side. It’s
small compared to their the character is looking up often used to convey
surroundings. at something. tension or chaos.
Technical Codes: Camera Movements
Panning Shot Tilt Shot
The camera is stationary and the head The camera is stationary and the head
moves from left to right or right to left moves up or down on a vertical axis. It
on a horizontal axis. It is usually used to is used to show the height of something
show a setting or landscape. or to mirror someone raising or
lowering their head.
Technical Codes: Camera Movements
Zoom Tracking Shot
The camera is stationary and the focus The camera moves on tracks or wheels,
changes to zoom in or out on an object, from a helicopter or crane or from the
character or setting. It is used to draw body of a person. They often follow a
focus to a particular detail. traveling or moving subject.
Technical Codes: Lighting
High Key Low Key

Lighting Lighting
Description – Description – Sharp
Brightness, contrasts between
openness, light light and dark
Effect - Allows a Effect - Creates a

range of moods to mood of mystery
be conveyed and suspense
Written Codes
• The formal written language used in

creating a media product.
• Includes the printed language and the
spoken language.
MEDIA CONVENTIONS
Refers to the recognized ways of

using media codes
Form Conventions
• Ways in which types of media

codes are expected to be
arranged.
Written Codes
• For instance, the title and main casts are

expected to appear at the end.
• A number of tv series usually begin with
a short recap of previous episode and end
with a preview of the next episode
Story Conventions
• Refers to the basic structures

of narratives
Story Conventions
• Examples involve narrative

structures, character,
construction, and point of
view.
Story Conventions
• Refer to the common use of the

elements of narratives such as the
characters, settings, or themes in a
certain type of media
MEDIA PRODUCERS, STAKEHOLDERS, AUDIENCE
Aside from media language,

media practitioners also look into
other elements such as the
producers, stakeholders, and
audience.
MEDIA PRODUCERS
Refer to the people who initiate,

plan, and produce media text
MEDIA PRODUCERS
They need to have the skill in

assessing the media texts and a
thorough understanding of the target
product; and the processes that go into
creating the products
STAKEHOLDERS
Refer to people or organizations that

share the same intense intentions.
AUDIENCE
A significant element in delivering

media texts. All media texts are made
with a target audience in mind.
AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Process of looking into the

demographics, and psychology of the
audience
Audience Engagement
• Refers to the reaction of the

audience to the media text.
Different people react in varied
ways.
Audience Expectations
• Refers to the anticipation of the

audience about the text. Producers
may satisfy or shatter audience’s
expectations.
Audience Foreknowledge
• Refers to the connection builty by

the media text to the audience.
Audience Placement
• Refers to the strategies producers

use to make the audience feel that
the media text is made specifically
for them.
Audience Research
• Refers to the monitoring of the

audience before, during, and after
the production of the media text.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
• What are the different codes and

conventions?
• Give example of one
• How significant is learning those codes
and convention?
REFERENCES
https://depedtambayan.net/media-and-
information-literacy-module-media-and-
information-languages/

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INSTRUCTIONS

Identify the names and

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

B. Caduceus - Often mistakenly considered as a medical symbol. Signifies

C. Trinity Knots - A three-cornered symbol in the ancient Celtic which

D. Peace Sign - Originally created to encourage British nuclear

E. Swastika - Usually linked to Nazi, but actually has auspicious meanings

Media language denotes how media

These signs and symbold used in media

It is the literal meaning of the media

It is the literal meaning of the media

Refers to the various interpretations that

In interpreting the meaning of the media

Commonly have an established

Refer to the possible method

• They are audience-based

• For example, a film with a scene

• Refers to the time and place of the

• It is a French term that means

• Refers to the portrayal of the actors

• They are highly connotative when it

• Refer to codes specific to a media

• Includes camerawork, editing, audio,

• Camera shot types are also referred

Extreme Close-Up Shot Extreme Long Shot

• Camera angles are also referred to as

Panning Shot Tilt Shot

Zoom Tracking Shot

High Key Low Key

Effect - Allows a Effect - Creates a

• The formal written language used in

Refers to the recognized ways of

• Ways in which types of media

• For instance, the title and main casts are

• Refers to the basic structures

• Examples involve narrative

• Refer to the common use of the

Aside from media language,

Refer to the people who initiate,

They need to have the skill in

Refer to people or organizations that

A significant element in delivering

Process of looking into the

• Refers to the reaction of the