CODES & CONVENTIONS

What are codes & Conventions? Codes are used to help create a meaning from the use of

signs from systems. They can also be split into two different groups: technical and symbolic.

- Symbolic shows us what’s being shown like the setting of a scene to help the audience know what genre it is.

- Technical is the way equipment is used to tell the story in media text for example: the brightness of the film.

Conventions are the normal ways of accepting the ways of something that’s going on. There are conventions in anything produced through the media, such as the same camera shots and work, but conventions are also genre specific.

Sound Soundtrack – Recorded sound element of

a film. Theme music/ tune – a recurrent melody

in the film. Sound affects – Sounds other than

dialogue or music made artificially. Ambient sound – buzz and/ or

surrounding sounds. Dialogue – sound.

Camera A huge range and variety of camera movements are used to

create videos and shots such as:- Tilt, which is when the camera lens move up or down constantly

in line. For example nodding to someone to agree with what they say is tilting.

- Panning is moving the camera lens to one side or another. For example if you shake your head to disagree with someone, this is panning.

- Zoom is one of the most familiar camera angles to people as it can be used with most mobile phones now and is also used within the media. Its used to help make the subject of the frame appear to be closer and further or bigger and smaller for example it helps make people appear to be bigger than others in films when they aren’t in actual fact.

Mise-en-scene Mise-en-scene is very important as it helps put the storyline into

more depth and makes the music video become a lot more realistic and look more sophisticated to the viewers.

The main parts of mise-en-scene which are used and developed into the storyline through the media are: Hair and makeup, colour, location, costume, lighting and props. These are all very important that they are used properly as it takes all of these features to work and makes the editing that’s also being used to look more professional and realistic.

Props- Car, dog lead etc. Costume- Certain worn clothing: Scarf, coat. Lighting- Artificial and side lights to present the video in different ways. Hair and makeup- Present the artist better infront of camera and show

feelings. Location- countryside, pet stores and a home. Colour- Certain colours to show emotion and character to the video.

Editing Each shot that is created needs to be edited in

accurately and efficiently so it sinks in smoothly with the music to help improve the quality of the video giving it a better flow.

The amount you record is a lot more than how much you put into the clip because a lot of the videoing goes wrong for different reasons and not all of the recordings you do are needed for the video.

Pop Music Videos Bright colours making the scenes happier and more fun and

upbeat. Young target audience (Teenagers). The costumes are usually up to date fashion which is trending in

the fashion industry. The actors in the music videos are usually young as well to

attract the target audience. A lot of the videos show the actors with not much clothing.

Indie Music Videos Normally shot in low budget location like cities, woods and

beaches. The costume and props are usually related to the setting and low

cost. Dialogue sound at the start is usually used to add more emotion. There is normally a narrative behind the video to explain a story. The target audience is 16-24 males and females.

Codes: The little boy is alone throwing rocks into the water showing that he is bored and has nothing else to do.

Conventions: He has a thick jumper on showing that it’s cold.

Codes: He is moving around singing on the streets not getting paid for it showing that he’s doing it because loves music and not because he wants to make money.

Conventions: The camera shows a lot of people around him telling us as an audience that he is a great musician and that a lot of people like to watch and listen to his music.

Codes: He is playing the guitar on his own in a public area showing that he loves music and wants other people to appreciate like him by listening to him.

Conventions: He is wearing just a T-shirt showing that the weather is quite nice and isn’t cold.

Codes: They’re all together performing together showing that they’re close mates who like to perform with each other.

Conventions: All wearing white set in a light toned room with a lot of lighting showing that they’re really confident and kind people.