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Media Codes, Conventions and Messages: What's in

Here are the key symbolic and technical codes identified in the postcard image of Camiguin Province: - Symbolic codes: - Beach setting conveys a tropical, beach vacation destination - Blue ocean and sky symbolize relaxation and escape - Green foliage symbolizes natural beauty - Technical codes: - High angle, long shot establishes scenic landscape view - Bright, saturated colors create appealing visuals - Clear, sunny lighting presents an inviting atmosphere The image communicates Camiguin as a beautiful, tropical beach getaway through its natural scenery and relaxing atmosphere. However, it omits information about the local culture, activities, or infrastructure of Camiguin. It presents an idealized view of nature but

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1K views

Media Codes, Conventions and Messages: What's in

Here are the key symbolic and technical codes identified in the postcard image of Camiguin Province: - Symbolic codes: - Beach setting conveys a tropical, beach vacation destination - Blue ocean and sky symbolize relaxation and escape - Green foliage symbolizes natural beauty - Technical codes: - High angle, long shot establishes scenic landscape view - Bright, saturated colors create appealing visuals - Clear, sunny lighting presents an inviting atmosphere The image communicates Camiguin as a beautiful, tropical beach getaway through its natural scenery and relaxing atmosphere. However, it omits information about the local culture, activities, or infrastructure of Camiguin. It presents an idealized view of nature but

Uploaded by

MOST SUBSCRIBER WITHOUT A VIDEO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Media Codes, Conventions and

Messages

What’s In

In our previous lesson, we learned the first principle of Media Literacy which stresses
that all media messages are constructed. Additionally, the first step in fully appreciating the
“constructedness” of media and information messages is to deconstruct. It means closely
examining and taking apart the media message so that its parts are exposed.

What’s New

Activity 1: Guess What


Below are five (5) signs and symbols that are used to convey information (ex.
directions, locations of attractions, others). Identify each one. The first one serves as an
example.

Symbol Meaning/What it represents

Example: Facebook
What Is It

The exercise given above is designed to prime you to the idea that media codes and
conventions are like the building blocks of all the media around us.

Image courtesy of media.codes Link?

Codes are systems of signs which when put together create meaning. There are
three types of media codes: symbolic codes, technical codes and written codes.
Conventions are the rules, habits or generally accepted ways of doing things. Now we will
look at these in detail by examining the table below.

Symbolic codes include the language, Setting is the time and place of the
dress or actions of characters, or iconic narrative. A setting can be as big as the
symbols that are easily understood. galaxy or space, or as small as a specific
For example, a red rose may be used room. Setting can even be a created
symbolically to convey romance, or a atmosphere or frame of mind.
clenched fist may be used to communicate
anger. Symbolic codes in media include
setting, mise en scene, acting and color.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/hands- Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-


heart-couple-woman-man-1150073/ panorama-dusk-nature-3084651/
Mise en scene means ‘everything within Color has highly cultural and strong
the frame’. In media terms it has become connotations. When studying the use
to mean the description of all the objects of color in a media product the different
within a frame of the media product and aspects to be looked at are: Dominant
how they have been arranged. An analysis color, Contrasting foils, and Color
of mise en scene includes: Set Design, symbolism.
Costume, Props, and Staging and
Composition

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/ Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/crystal-


caf%C3%A9-piazza-san-marco-86681/ ball- photography-ball-lights-3894871/

Acting. Actors portray characters in media


products and contribute to character
development, creating tension or
advancing the narrative. The actor portrays
a character through:
Facial expression, Body Language, Vocal
qualities, Movement, and Body contact.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/people-


play-costumes-acting-691440/

Technical codes include sound, camera angles, types of shots and lighting. 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 Lighting.

Camerawork refers to how the camera is picture-photography-2298945/


operated, positioned and moved for
specific effects. Camerawork includes:
Positioning, Movement, Framing,
Exposure, and Lens choice.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/photo-edit-


Editing is the process of
Image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/EWaoo-
choosing, manipulating and i7qIs
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
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/micro-
mixing-audio-sound-radio-4520681/ include: Quality, Direction, Source, &
Colour.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-studio-with-
white-wooden-framed-wall-mirror-134469/

Written codes are the formal written language used in a media product. Written
codes include printed language which is the text you can see within the frame and how it is
being presented, and also spoken language, which includes dialogue and song lyrics.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/micro-mixing-audio-sound-radio-4520681/

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.
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/micro-
mixing-audio-sound-radio-4520681/
Story conventions are common narrative Genre conventions point to the common
structures and understandings that are use of images, characters, settings or
common in story telling media products. themes in a particular type of medium.
Examples of story conventions include: Genre conventions are closely linked with
Narrative structures, Cause and effect, audience expectations. Genre conventions
Character construction, and Point of View. can be formal or thematic.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/glasses- Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/rock-


reading-glasses-spectacles-1246611/ music- artist-concert-2658355/
What’s More

Activity 2: Post Card


Below is a postcard of the Camiguin Province. Identify the key symbolic
and technical codes of it. What information about Camiguin is communicated
through the use of these codes? What information is omitted?

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/camiguin-philippines-beach-islands-781449/

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