Codes and Conventions The codes and conventions in media can be separated into 3 distinct groups: - Technical (camera techniques & shots), - Symbolic (ie clothing, colours) - Written and audio (music etc)

Codes A code must consist of: • a set of signs which carry meaning • a set of agreed rules for combining those signs together Codes can even include social values

Conventions Media conventions are generally accepted patterns of code that communicate a particular message. There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of quotes in a newspaper article

But conventions are also genre specific But conventions are also genre specific. For example, the setting of a western is usually dusty and desolate, and even the sounds used within the scene are conventional, such as castonettes, or some sort of whistle. Or…an action car chase

Technical

Symbolic

Written and Audio Um, no, it was nothing. So, what were you going to say?

Music & Audio Watch how music can make one of the scariest films ever look like a feel good comedy. Or change a comedy to a horror film.