Monday 21 November 2011

Definition of codes and conventions

Codes - codes are the way something in a film makes you feel. There are 2 types of code, symbolic codes are the way a chaacters actions make the audience feel, e.g. If the character is walking slow and trying to be quiet we understand that she is scared and the audience also feel scared. There are technical codes which are the way which equiptment is used, like camera work for example if a camera is hidden in a bush looking at the main character the audience will feel tension. A code is almost never broken.

Conventions - conventions are things that you expect to see in a type of film, in an action adventure film you expect to see car chases and gun fights. Conventions arent alway what things are done but also the way things are done, in a western film the gun fights are often shot from a low angle. Conventions are sometimes broken or mixed which creates sub genres ans mixed genres.

Definition of Genre

Genre is the style that something is in, for example james bond is an action adventure film, it is this because of what it contains, chases, guns and fights. Genre isnt all about whats in the media text but the way it is put together.