Symbols and Media Language

Media Language

These are codes, conventions, formats, symbols and narrative structures that indicate the meaning of media messages to an audience.

Codes

In media studies, _____ are known as a system or collection of signs that create meaning when put together.

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.

Setting

It refers to the time and place of the narrative.

Mise en Scene

It refers to everything you see on screen in a scene—such as the setting, lighting, costumes, actors, and how they are arranged—to help tell the story and create a mood.

Acting

The actors portray characters in media products and contribute to character development, creating tension or advancing.

Color

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.

Technical Codes

The ___________ include sound, camera angles, types of shots and lightning.

Editing

It is the process of choosing, manipulating and arranging images and sound.

Audio

It refers to the expressive or naturalistic use of sound. The three aspects of audio are: Dialogue, Sound effects, and Music.

Lighting

It refers to the manipulation of natural or artificial light to selectively highlight specific elements of the scene. Elements of lighting include: Quality, Direction, Source, & Colour.

Camerawork

It refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved for specific effects. __________ includes: Positioning, Movement, Framing, Exposure, and Lens choice

Extreme Wide Shot

Full Shot

Wide Shot

Medium wide Shot

Cowboy Shot

Medium Shot

Medium Close Up

Close Up

Extreme Close Up

Camera Shot Framing

It refers to the art and science of placing subjects in your shots.

Single Shot

Frames only one person in the scene and is used to focus on a character’s expression, emotion, or importance.

Two Shot

Frames two people in the same shot and shows interaction or relationship between the two characters.

Three Shot

Frames three people in one shot and emphasizes group dynamics or shared action.

Over-the-Shoulder Shot

Taken from behind the shoulder of one character, showing another character in front and creates a sense of conversation and connection between characters.

Point-of-View (POV) Shot

Shows what a character sees from their own perspective and it makes the audience feel as if they are the character.

Depth of Field

Term used to describe the size of the area in your image where objects appear acceptably sharp.

Written Codes

It  is the use of language style and textual layout (headlines, captions, speech bubbles, language style, etc.)

Conventions

These are the commonly accepted ways of doing things in media that audiences recognize and expect.

Form Conventions

•Refers to the technical and structural features of a media text.

•It is how the media is presented.

Story Conventions

•Refers to the way the story is told.

•It focuses on narrative elements.

Genre Conventions

•Refers to the typical features of a specific genre.

•It helps the audience recognize the type of media.

Regulatory Signs

• Signs that inform road users of traffic laws and regulations which, if disregarded, will constitute an offense

Format

Templates that provide the working and provisional structures of media and information texts.