Understanding Media Language and Symbolism

Languages, Codes, and Conventions Media Language is how media is conveyed to the audience. It is achieved through the use of signs and symbols. There are five (5) types of media languages: 1. Visual language – The use of imagery, how a scene is framed, and how it is lit all contribute to the visual language. What can be seen on screen has been chosen to generate specific reactions or emotions from the audience. 2. Aural language – This refers to the sound of a scene or environment which determines the mood and setting of what is being portrayed. It can be either a diegetic (sound whose source can be seen on-screen) or non-diegetic (the source cannot be seen on-screen). 3. Written language – Printed words, phrases, or captions are chosen specifically to generate reactions or emotions from the audience. 4. Verbal language – It is how the language is delivered and the context in which it is being used. These are the key factors being considered when generating a reaction or emotion from the audience. 5. Non-verbal language – This refers to body language, actions, gestures, and movements done by the characters. The audience will infer the message based on the actions themselves. Media Codes are the signs and symbols used in media to communicate ideas to the audience, producers, and stakeholders. These can be divided into two (2) categories: technical and symbolic. Technical codes refer to how equipment is being used to communicate information. These focus on how an object is used to drive the message across. Some examples of these are camera angles, mood lighting. Symbolic codes refer to aspects which do not make use of equipment but are used to help communicate the message. They show what cannot be seen directly. The examples of these codes would be language, attire, and movement of characters. Codes can be both technical and symbolic in nature. This means that the code refers to how an equipment is used but also to a feature which helps communicate the message indirectly. Music is both a technical and symbolic code. Media Conventions are the rules or generally accepted ways of constructing form and informing meaning in media. Conventions are genre-specific and influence the codes being used. MEDIA CODES AND CONVENTIONS SYMBOLIC CODES • Setting TECHNICAL CODES • Camerawork • Story principles • Acting • Editing • Character and story arc • Color • Audio • Form and structure • Mise en scene • Lighting • Cause and effect Sound • Point of view Special effects • Structure of time • Elements of page layout • Titles and credit sequences • Framing of images • • Visual composition • CONVENTIONS EXAMPLE: HORROR MOVIES SYMBOLIC CODES TECHNICAL CODE CONVENTIONS • Dark colors • Diegetic • Secluded locations • Nervous twitching • Close up • Soft to sudden loud sounds • Threat is in frame but is not seen by character