Codes and Language of Media

Codes, Conventions, and Language of Media

• Media codes and conventions are like building blocks
• They have generally agreed meanings for their audience
• Media language includes codes, conventions, format, symbols, narrative structure
• Messages are the information sent from one place to another.

Media Language

• Pertains to the symbolic and technical elements used to convey ideas
• Media professionals use these elements to communicate information and knowledge
• Codes and conventions are selected based on the objective
• Includes the way media language shows meaning to an audience

Codes

• Systems of signs that create meaning
• Three types: Symbolic, technical, written

Symbolic Codes

• Social in nature
• Exist outside media products
• Examples of these include setting, mise en scene, acting, & color
• Examples can be interpreted in everyday life

Setting

• Time and place of a narrative or scene
• Can be the whole story or just part of it
• Important in creating a particular mood

Mise en Scene

• French term meaning "everything within the frame"
• Includes analysis of costume, props, & objects
• Key to understanding a scene's message

Acting

• How an actor embodies a character
• Uses facial expression, body language, and vocal qualities
• Reflects character development and tension

Color

• Used to indicate connotations in media (Young, 2017)
• Red: Passion, danger, romance, violence
• Green: Nature or sickness
• Blue: Calm or depression
• Purple: Royalty

Technical Codes

• Ways equipment is used in media to tell a story (cameras, techniques, lighting)
• Includes camerawork, lighting

Camerawork

• How the camera is handled and moved (positioning)
• Specific shots create effects (high-angle shots create power)

Lighting

• Manipulation of natural or artificial light
• To highlight specific elements of the scene

Audio

• Expressive or naturalistic use of sound
• Includes dialogue, sound effects, and music
• Music often defines a scene

Written Codes

• Formal written language and style used
• Includes headlines, captions, and speech bubbles

Conventions

• Accepted ways of using media codes
• Three types: Form, story, genre conventions

Form Conventions

• Expected ways media codes are arranged
• In newspapers, important news is often at the front, sports news at the back, mastheads

Story Conventions

• Common narrative structures in media
• Include cause and effect, character construction, and point of view

Genre Conventions

• Common use of tropes, characters, settings, or themes in a particular medium
• Formal or thematic in nature