Technical Codes and Conventions

Technical Codes Revisions Page
Codes and Conventions
 Codes include the Mise en scene which means everything that is happening on screen. It
refers to everything in frame and how different objects have been arranged.
Type of Example Information

Code
Technica Camera Camera refers to the way a camera has been used to record visual
l sequences for photography, video or cinematography.
Camera and film techniques include:
 Shot sizes
 Camera angles
 Camera movement
 Tripod, hand-held
 Zooms and pans
 Focus/depth of field
 Film stock, grain, ISO Exposure
Consider
 The camera angle
 Camera movement
 Are different techniques combined?
 Why does it used this way?
Technica Acting Acting refers to the art of human representation or interpretation

l of a character within a media production.
Acting can be:
 Naturalistic
 Exaggerated
Consider:
 The visual aspects of the performance
 Appearance
 Gesture
 Facial expressions
 Mannerisms
Technica Setting Setting refers to the time and/ or place that the narrative occurs
l in. Setting is related to the code 'mise en scene'.
Consider:
 How does the setting contribute to the narrative?
 Is the setting integral to the narrative itself?
 Could the film be set in a different time or place?
 How does the setting function symbolically?
Technica Mise En Mise en scene refers to everything in a frame that has been placed
l Scene to create a representation. Aspects of mise en scene include;
 set,
 costume,
 makeup, hair styles,
 props,
 lighting,
 colour.
Mise en scene also works in symbolic ways as it often includes

objects that represent something else or other ideas.
Consider:
 Setting
 Props
 Colours
 Costumes
 Lighting
 Character
Technica Editing Editing refers to the cutting and combining of sequences of vision
l to create a narrative. As a narrative is rarely filmed and presented
to the audience in real time, editing is the method by which
sequences are assembled together to create a meaningful
product.
Editing may refer to;
 Visual: The way separate shots are combined/ arranged to
make meaning,
 Sound: The way sound is layered together to create
meaning or emotion.
Editing is used to:
 Tell a long story in a limited amount of time (screen time
vs real time)
 To engage the audience
 Emphasise information about certain characters or events
 Consider:
 The types of edits (fades, dissolves, jump cuts)
 The sequence of shots
 The rhythm of the edits
 The pace of the editing
Consider:
 particular Directors and whether they favour particular
editing techniques.
Terms for editing include;
 jump cuts
 pace editing
 cross-cutting
 continuity editing
Technica Lighting Lighting refers to the manner in which a scene or frame is

l illuminated. Video and filming are forms of photography so
inherently rely on the capture of light and shade to render
characters, actions and settings. However, lighting is not a given
and must be constructed in the way that best creates meaning for
a representation desired in a media product.
Lighting can be:
 Naturalistic
 Expressive
 Chiaroscuro (dramatic and 3 dimensional)
 Low key (dark)

 High key (light)
Different effects can be achieved by:
 Changing the direction of light
 Changing the number of light sources
 Changing the quality of the light
 Changing the colour of light
 Framing with light
 Using shadows
Consider:
 The lighting style
 Naturalistic lighting – Helps the audience to accept the
film’s fictional world is real.
 Expressive lighting - Can be used for emphasis of to create
a mood or atmosphere
 The direction of light. Front, back lit.
 The kind of light; candle, spot, daylight, chiaroscuro.
Technica Sound refers to the audio (heard) component of a media

l production. In the case of a podcast or radio production this sound
may be the entire component.
Sound is used to provide mood and/ or continuity in visual
sequences. it is also often used to given an audience an insight
into a character's feelings.
Sounds in a film are classified into two types:
o Diegetic sounds: Sounds that originate from events in the
film (within the world of the narrative).
 Character voices
 Sounds from objects
 Character turns on a radio and sings along to a song
o Non-diegetic sounds: Sounds that do originate from
events in the film, are not heard by characters in the story
and are only heard by the audience
 Voice-over narration
 Incidental music
Consider:
 Sound editing – cutting and placing of sound
 Sound effects – Sound effects are diegetic if it what a
character would hear even if it is a sound effect.
Technica Special Special effects (SFX) refers to methods of achieving difficult or

l Effects impossible actions or sequences that cannot be filmed
(SFX) economically, easily, safely or naturally. Special Effects began as
simple double exposures, tricks in editing, animation, models, and
now usually employ digital production, digital sets, matte painting,
stunts, visual illusions and/ or post production work.
Consider:
 How does the SFX add to the meaning of the media
production?
 How does the SFX add to the audience engagement?
 How does the SFX relate to the genre of the media

production?
 How do SFX relate to a production schedule, location,
degree of difficulty of the shoot or budget?
 What are the techniques used?
 SFX may involve; green screen, (digital) matte painting,
models, stunt work, digital sets.

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Technical Codes Revisions Page

Codes and Conventions

Type of Example Information

Technica Acting Acting refers to the art of human representation or interpretation

Mise en scene also works in symbolic ways as it often includes

Technica Lighting Lighting refers to the manner in which a scene or frame is

 Low key (dark)

Technica Sound refers to the audio (heard) component of a media

Technica Special Special effects (SFX) refers to methods of achieving difficult or

 How does the SFX relate to the genre of the media

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