Media Language Essay
Media Language refers to the codes and meanings of a specific piece of text or the mis-en-scene or the editing, sound or even camera movement. They all portray a significant meaning to the audience.
Symbolic Code,Technical Code, Audio Code & Written Code are all of the media language codes included in films. I will be analysing all of these codes in my essay.
Symbolic Codes are what are used to convey the theme/character. They are mainly props and colours of the trailer and/or the genre. In my summer trailer 'Don't Look Back' most of the characters are wearing quite bland/dark clothing, this colour has a deep connotation of death and mystery. The fact that almost all of them are wearing it shows that death will have a strong hold on them. My trailer lacks colour and this is a weakness as it doesn't show much of the symbolic codes of colour, however, the girl who is wearing the lighter colour will be seen as pure and innocent. In the trailer of the scream, there is broken glass/window, this could symbolise the isolation from the outside world being broken. low key lighting is a key element in horror trailers/films as this creates anticipation for the audience because they know that darkness aligns with mystery and they want to know what is going to happen. Therefore high-key lighting is a juxtaposition of that feeling as they wont feel that same fear in the light as light symbolises freedom and escape whereas again darkness symbolises death and decay. In Don't look back, low key lighting isn't used that much and as I mentioned above this will not cause . the audience to feel anything.
Audio Codes are the sounds included in the film, whether they are diegetic or non- diegetic, soundtrack, sound effects or dialogue. Male characters are always heard to shout towards as that shouting holds power and aggression against females who scream away which shows weakness and fragility. This is a binary opposition between the genders which is also due to patriarchy as males are not 'allowed' to show weakness. Soundtracks are either to build tension, mystery or anticipation for the audience. Soundtracks such as ascending violins or title booms(in trailers) and drones. These all instil fear in the audience. Dialogue is also picked up by the camera and even dialogue can create a feeling, as they may be in a position to feel pity for the characters.
Technical codes include camera movements, angles and shots also editing is included. A high angle shots are normally used on the victim to make them look small and insignificant, it also makes them look helpless whereas the antagonist will have a low angle shot used on them as it will make them look powerful and intimidating. Also most horror trailers contain fade to blacks and cut to blacks and that has a connotation of either a sudden death or a slow and painful death.
Symbolic Code,Technical Code, Audio Code & Written Code are all of the media language codes included in films. I will be analysing all of these codes in my essay.
Symbolic Codes are what are used to convey the theme/character. They are mainly props and colours of the trailer and/or the genre. In my summer trailer 'Don't Look Back' most of the characters are wearing quite bland/dark clothing, this colour has a deep connotation of death and mystery. The fact that almost all of them are wearing it shows that death will have a strong hold on them. My trailer lacks colour and this is a weakness as it doesn't show much of the symbolic codes of colour, however, the girl who is wearing the lighter colour will be seen as pure and innocent. In the trailer of the scream, there is broken glass/window, this could symbolise the isolation from the outside world being broken. low key lighting is a key element in horror trailers/films as this creates anticipation for the audience because they know that darkness aligns with mystery and they want to know what is going to happen. Therefore high-key lighting is a juxtaposition of that feeling as they wont feel that same fear in the light as light symbolises freedom and escape whereas again darkness symbolises death and decay. In Don't look back, low key lighting isn't used that much and as I mentioned above this will not cause . the audience to feel anything.
Audio Codes are the sounds included in the film, whether they are diegetic or non- diegetic, soundtrack, sound effects or dialogue. Male characters are always heard to shout towards as that shouting holds power and aggression against females who scream away which shows weakness and fragility. This is a binary opposition between the genders which is also due to patriarchy as males are not 'allowed' to show weakness. Soundtracks are either to build tension, mystery or anticipation for the audience. Soundtracks such as ascending violins or title booms(in trailers) and drones. These all instil fear in the audience. Dialogue is also picked up by the camera and even dialogue can create a feeling, as they may be in a position to feel pity for the characters.
Technical codes include camera movements, angles and shots also editing is included. A high angle shots are normally used on the victim to make them look small and insignificant, it also makes them look helpless whereas the antagonist will have a low angle shot used on them as it will make them look powerful and intimidating. Also most horror trailers contain fade to blacks and cut to blacks and that has a connotation of either a sudden death or a slow and painful death.
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