This document outlines technical and symbolic codes used in moving images. The technical codes section describes editing techniques, sounds, camera movements, camera angles/lenses/types, and types of shots. It also discusses CGI technology. The symbolic codes section covers aspects of mise-en-scene like settings, objects/props, body language, lighting/color, costume, and use of space.

1. Moving Image Language
Technical and Symbolic Codes

2. Technical
Codes
Editing
•Straight Cut
•Transition
•Flash cut
•Fade to Black
•Dissolve/Fast Dissolve
•Wipe
•Jump Cut
Sound
•Diegetic/Non Diegetic
•Parallel/Contrapuntal
•Sound Bridge
•Voice over
•Incidental music
Camera
Movement
•Pan/Tilt
•Tracking Shot/Dolly
•Stills/Freeze frame
•Slow motion/speeded up film
Camera
Angle/Lens/Type
•High Angle/Low Angle
•Canted/Oblique
•Wide angle
•Steady Cam
•Hand Held Camera
•Digital camera/HD/35mm
Types of Shot
•Close Up/Extreme Close up
•Establishing Shot
•Long Shot/Mid Shot
•Arial/Crane/Top shot/Bird’s Eye
•Point of View Shot
•Insert shot
CGI Technology
•Digital Imaging/SFX
•Animation
•3D/IMAX
•Genre

3. Symbolic
Codes:
Mise-en-
scene
Settings
•Low/High production values
•Decor/style/interiors
•Studio set design/on
location
•Realist escapist
•Genre conventions
•Audience identification
Objects and
Props
•Genre iconography
•Intertextual references
•Clues to character
•Narrative enigmas
•Anchors location...
Body Language
•Pose and Posture
•Eye contact
•Actors movement/style
•Status/role/social class
Lighting/Colour
•High key/low key lighting
•Single source/fill lighting
•Use of shadow/silhouette
•Genre e.g. Noir/Social
Realism/Comedy/Reality TV
•De-saturated/grainy
•Bright primary colours
Costume
•Realism/Escapist
•Time period/age/social class
•Revealing genre conventions
•Low/high production values
•National/regional identity
•Status/Role/Occasion
•Ethnicity/race/sexuality
Space
•Depth/Proximity
•Juxtaposition
•Size and proportion
technically manipulated