This lesson plan outlines learning about media codes and conventions. Students will analyze visual media like film trailers to understand how meaning is communicated through images and the "language" of different mediums. They will discuss what codes and conventions are, such as the accepted plot structures and character types of different genres. As an assignment, students will work in groups to design and pitch their own TV drama by developing the plot, characters, setting, and explaining how it fits the codes and conventions of the chosen genre.

1. Lesson Six
Wednesday 28th
September 2016
Media Language –
Codes and Conventions

2. The Shining (re-release trailer)
The Shining (spoof trailer)

3. Learning Intentions
• To understand “the rules” of
visual media.
• To consider how media products are designed
to make sense to audiences.
• To learn the “language” of images.

4. Success Criteria
• I will:
– Understand what media codes and conventions
are
– Consider how codes and conventions are used
within visual media
– Learn how to analyse images

5. Codes
• What is a code?
– A method of communication which must be
cracked?
• Each medium has its own code
– You need to learn the code to understanding the
meaning.

6. Decode…
• What codes
are present
here?

7. Decode…
• Clip from Skins (Channel 4)

8. Decode…

9. Conventions
• What is a “convention”?
• The “accepted” way of doing things
• The “rules”
• What are the conventions
of TV drama?
– Characters
– Settings
– Plots

10. What are conventions of…
• Quiz shows?
• Tabloid papers?
• First person shooters?

11. End of Lesson Six

12. Task
• Work in pairs/ threes
• You are going to “pitch” a new TV drama
– You can choose any genre
– You need a basic plot
– You need at least four characters
– You need a clear setting
• You will “pitch” your idea at the beginning of
Wednesday’s lesson
• You will need to explain how it fits the codes and
conventions of your chosen genre.