2. Symbolic codes
Symbolic codes are codes of a system, they are used to create meaning giving the
audience deeper effect. Symbolic codes involved and include with the following
• Setting – the time and place of the narrative
• Mise en scene – set design, costumes, props ect.
• Acting – actor portrays the character in the media product
• Color – highly cultural and strong references towards the media product
These are code that live outside of the media product and that is understood in a
'real life' perspective towards the audience an example of this would be a
character within the film handing a red rose this suggest a romantic element where
two characters are involved in a relationship audience will notice the meaning of
the action immediately
3. Technical codes
Technical codes are codes from a certain media form and remain within it no
in the outside world, for example different camera shots with their
connotations make sense within media such as films and photographs but
are irrelevant to the outside form these include.
• Camerawork –how the camera is operated
• Editing – manipulating and arranging images and sound ie. Special edits
• Audio – diegetic/non diegetic audio, natural use of sound ie. Dialogue,
sound effects and music
• Lighting – manipulating of natural or artificial light I.e colour, direction and
more
4. Written codes
Written codes are a form of formal written language that is used within
a media product in similarity to the codes of symbolic and technical.
Written codes are used to enforce the narrative of communication
about characters, issues and themes, this code is through spoken
language including music lyrics and dialogue.
5. Conventions
Story convention
These are common in narrative structures understanding in telling a story within a
media product such as
• Narrative structures
• Cause and effect
• Point of view
Genre Convention
Is the common use of characters, setting or theme in a certain medium. Genre
convention are linked with the audience's expectation and come in different forms
such as
• Formal
• Thematic
6. Mise en scene
• Mise en scene is the alignment of scenery, props and more. Mise en scene
appears before the camera and its arrangement with the following
• Composition
• Actors
• Lighting
• Costumes
This is important part of the film production process to achieve a numbered
amount of effects. It is used to make a character seem more mysterious by
shading outlines of the characters face or body showing the state of the
characters position and hidden emotions
