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Different texts use different codes (or sets of symbols) to create meaning. We read these codes to develop understanding.

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For example:

  • a written story uses the alphabet, words, sentences, dialogue, punctuation

  • a written poem also uses the alphabet and words, but it is often distinguished by other codes, such as rhyme, rhythm, onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance

  • a spoken political speech uses words and sentences, but uses other codes such as tone, emphasis, gesture, facial expression, stance

  • a painting’s codes can include colour, placement of objects or people, shading, tonality, depth, perspective, style

 

As a text, film brings a combination of visual, written, aural and symbolic codes to the screen. In brief summary:

 

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CODES :  A film code is the explanation of how the film is constructed.

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Eg.  For example : "An eye-level shot" is a film code because it tells us that the camera is positioned at eye level.

 

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VISUAL CODES

Camera

  • Movement (pan, tilt, dolly, track, crane, zoom)

  • Shot size (ECU, CU, MCU, MS, MLS, LS, ELS)

  • Camera Angle (Birds eye view, High angle, low angle, eye level, POV)

 

Editing

  • Cuts, transitions, pacing, frame-rate, speed, juxtaposition, visual fx

 

AURAL CODES

  • Music / Score / Composition

  • Sound FX / Foley

  • Dialogue

  • Voiceover.

 

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SYMBOLIC CODES

  • Lighting (Contrast, Hue, shadows, brightness, exposure)

  • Production Design - Mise en Scene (Costume, Colour, Set, Props, Casting Character)

 

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WRITTEN CODES

  • Writing as part of the set

  • On-screen information

  • Credits

 

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All of these things combine to create meaning – and a particular discourse.

 

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CONVENTIONS :      A convention is how the code is used in the shot or film to create the desired effect.  This is an explanation of why you decided to use this shot.

 

Film Genres

The elements used to help the audience identify a specific genre are called conventions.  Genre conventions were in a sense developed to tell audiences what to expect.

The audience finds pleasure from viewing a genre primarily in the recognition of the familiar conventions.

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A genre emphasises particular types of events and characters and in this way narrows down the possible meanings created.

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The codes apply both to the technical and symbolic codes used by film-makers to tell their story.

 

  • Choose one example of each type of code, taken from a film. Make them prominent and powerful, in terms of a film’s discourse and ideology. List these examples, then list the purpose for each one. This is a crucial phase – trying to understand why particular coding decisions are made.​

 

Eg. Low angle shots in Zac Snyder's film 300, has the effect of making the warriors seem powerful, dominant and godly.

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