Codes
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories – technical and symbolic. 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.Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's actions show you how the character is feeling.Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories – technical and symbolic. 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.Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's actions show you how the character is feeling.Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.
Conventions
Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific.
Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific.
How codes and conventions apply in media studies
Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part of any horror movie.
Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part of any horror movie.
Codes and conventions for a romantic comedy trailer:
- A typical boy meets girl scenario
- Inevitability of the two ending up in a relationship, (happy ending)
- Often some sexual innuendo in the script
- Often starts with a voice over explaining characters
- Two protagonists, normally male and female
- Often stylised in a particular way e.g. flowers,weddings hearts
- Normally set in an urban environment, entered around a work place, where a chance encounter would happen
- Often entered around a female character, the film is seen from her point of view.
- Characters often conform to stereotypes E.g. Geeks, The 'it' girl etc.
- Examples of Rom coms: Bridget Joneses Diary, Love Actually and Just Go With It
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