Media and information

languages
Media Codes Semiotics
Languages -In media studies, codes -is the
-These are codes, are known as a system or study of
conventions, collection of signs that signs.
formats, symbols create meaning when put
and narrative together. As boy scouts,
structures that or girl scout, you might be
indicate the familiar with the use of
meaning of morse code, the smoke
media messages signals, or the signal flags
to an audience. for relating a message to
another.
WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES
OF MEDIA CODES?
 THREE TYPES OF MEDIA CODES

1. The Symbolic Codes

These codes show what is beneath the
surface of what we see (objects, setting,
body language, clothing, color, etc.) or
iconic symbols that are easily understood.
Symbolic codes in media include setting,
mise en scene, acting and color.
.
 Setting Mise en Scene
-means the stage setting,
-is the time and
everything within the frame. The
place of the arrangement of actors and scenery
narrative. A on a stage for a theatrical
setting can be as production
big as the galaxy ([Link]
dictionary/mise-en-sc%C3%A8ne
or space, or as
)In media terms it has become to
small as a specific mean the description of all the
room. It can even objects within a frame of the media
be a created product and how they have been
atmosphere or arranged. An analysis of mise en
frame of mind. scene includes: Set Design,
Acting. The actors portray characters in media
products and contribute to character
development, creating tension or advancing.

Color has highly cultural and strong

connotations. When studying the use of color in a
media product the different aspects to be looked
at are: Dominant color, Contrasting foils, and
Color Symbolism.
2. Technical Codes
-The technical codes include sound, camera
angles, types of shots and lightning. They may
include, for example, ominous music to
communicate danger in a feature film, or high-
angle camera shots to create a feeling of
power in a photograph. Technical codes in
media may include Camerawork, Editing,
Audio and Lightning. The actor portrays a
character through: Facial expression,
Movement and Body contact.
 Film makers control what the audience focus
on and therefore every shot is chosen for a
reason. Changing how an object or person is
framed can drastically alter how audience
react to that character/ object. There is no
such thing as neutral.
• Camerawork refers to how the camera is
operated, positioned and moved for specific
effects. Camerawork includes: Positioning,
Movement, Framing, Exposure, and Lens
choice.
Editing is the process of choosing,
manipulating and arranging images
and sound.
Audio is the expressive or
naturalistic use of sound. The three
aspects of audio are: Dialogue,
Sound effects, and Music.
• Lighting is the manipulation of natural or
artificial light to selectively highlight
specific elements of the scene. Elements
of lighting include: Quality, Direction,
Source, & Colour. Camera shots are an
essential aspect of filmmaking and video
productions, because by combining
different types of shots, angels and
camera movements, the filmmakers are
able to emphasize specific emotions, ideas
and movement for each scene.
Photo caption - also known as cut
lines, are a few lines of text used to
explain or elaborate on published
photographs.

Comic Strips – is a sequence of

drawings arranged in interrelated
panels to display brief humor or form a
narrative, often serialized, with text in
balloons and captions.
Camera Shot Framing – is the art and science of
placing subjects in your shots. Camera shots are all about
composition. Rather than pointing the camera at the
subject, you need to compose an image.
For filmmakers and videographers, a major
consideration for framing is the number of subjects you
feature in our shots, and their physical relationship to each
other and the camera.
Based on how you plan to position your subjects,
you’ll need to adjust your camerawork. You’ll want to
capture your framing details on a shot list well before you
arrive on set. That way you have a clear idea for the scene
and can communicate your vision with ease.
 Types of Camera Shot Framing
• Single Shot –What you shot captures one
subject it’s known as a single shot. This can
be set and framed in any shot size you like,
just as long as there is only one character
featured within the frame.
• Two Shot – is camera shot with two
characters featured in the frame. Two shots
are often really useful for allowing
performances to play out in a single take,
which can be especially useful for comedy.
• Three Shot – A three-shot features three characters
in the frame. Three shots are really important in
adventure films, or really any film that has a group of
characters, because it is an enormous time drain to
shoot 3 single just to show every character, not to
mention jarring.
• Over-the Shoulder Shot (OTS)- Another elements
of camera shots to consider is the perspective of the
shot. An over-the-shoulder shot shows your subject
from behind the shoulder of another character.
Because it emulates perspective, it’s common in
conversation scenes.
Over-the-shoulder shots can help to provide orientation,
and connect the characters on an emotional level.
An over-the hip shot is similar to over-the-shoulder in
the that the camera is placed with a character’s hip in the
foreground, and the focus subject in the plane of
acceptable focus. You’ll gain a similar effect form an over-
the-hip shot as you would an OTS, but if you have one-
character standing, and the other sitting, kneeling, or any
other configuration that places the subjects on uneven
terrain” it will often suggest a power imbalance.
• Point-of-View Shot (POV) - A POV shot
is camera shot that shows the viewer
exactly what the character sees. This
transports the audience into the
character. A point of View shot (POV) is
generally sandwiched between two other
shots. A camera shot of a character
looking at something.
 What is depth of Field?
-Depth of Field (DOF) is the tem used to describe
the size of the area in your image where objects
appear acceptably sharp. The area in questions is
known as the field, and the size (in z-space) of the
area is the depth of that field.
The center most point of the field is known as the
point of focus. The imaginary two dimensional
plane that extends from the point is known as the
plan of focus. Any part of your image that falls
directly on this place is officially in focus.
3. Written Codes – it is use of language style and
textual layout (headlines, captions, speech bubbles,
language style, etc.) The study of written codes
includes:
-Headlines / Titles – It is the text indicating the
nature of the article below it.
-Typeface/Font
-Slogans / Taglines
-Captions (print) or inter-titles (moving image)
-Style
-Choice of words - Emphasis of words.
• The use of language style and textual layout also
express meaning. In newspapers for instance, the
layout speaks about the degree of importance of
a news story with respect to other news stories.
Typically, newspaper editors follow the inverted
“S” of news layout because the mode by which
people read would be from left to right and from
the upper fold of the newspaper down to the
lower fold. Captions, titles, slogans, taglines, and
some other language elements are also utilizing
in a way suggest a particular meaning.
• Conventions are accepted ways of using media codes.
Conventions are closely connected to the audience
expectations of a media product. Different types of
conventions include form conventions, story
conventions and genre conventions.
• Form conventions are the certain ways we expect
types of media codes to be arranged. For instance, an
audience expects to have a title of the film at the
beginning, and then credits at the end. Newspapers will
have the headline or the most important news on the
front page and sports news on the back page. Video
games usually start with a tutorial to explain the
mechanics of how the game works.
• Story conventions are common narrative
structures and understandings that are common in
story telling media products. Examples of story
conventions include: Narrative structures, Cause and
effect, Character construction, and Point of View.
• Genre conventions point to the common use of
images, characters, settings or themes in a
particular type of medium. Genre conventions are
closely linked with audience expectations. Genre
conventions can be formal or thematic.
Type of signs
Regulatory Signs – signs that inform road users of
traffic laws and regulations which, if disregarded, will
constitute an offense.
1. Priority Signs, like Stop sign, Give way sign, Left
turner must give way
2. Direction Signs
3. Prohibitive / Restriction Signs
4. Speed Signs
5. Parking Signs
6. Miscellaneous Signs
Warning signs – Signs used to warn motorists of
potentially hazardous conditions on or adjacent to the
road. It advises motorists of road conditions that
require caution and may call for a reduction in speed,
in the interest of safety and that of other road users.
1. Horizontal signs
2. Intersection signs
3. Advance Warning/ Traffic Control Device Signs
4. Road Width Signs
5. Road Obstacle Signs
6. Pedestrian School Signs