Module 5
MEDIA AND
INFORMATION
LANGUAGES
Media Languages
Are codes, convention, formats,
symbols and narrative structures that
indicate the meaning of media
messages to an audience.
Codes
Are system of signs that when
put together create meaning.
Semiotics
Study of signs
Types of Codes
Symbolic Written Technical
Codes Codes Codes
SYMBOLIC CODES
SYMBOLIC CODES
Show what is beneath the surface of what we
see (objects, setting body language, clothing,
color, etc.) or icons symbols that are easily
understood.
WRITTEN CODES
WRITTEN CODES
Use of language style and textual layout
(Headlines, captions speech bubble, and
language style, etc.)
TECHNICAL CODES
TECHNICAL CODES
When equipment is used to tell the story in a media text which
consequently affects how can interpret the meaning of that
text, you are dealing with technical codes. These are signs
that are produced when camera techniques, Framing, depth
of field, lightning and exposure, and juxtaposition are utilized
TYPES OF CAMERA
SHOTS
Exteme Long Shots
also called extreme wide
shots such as a large
crowd scene or a view of
scenery as far as the
horizon.
Long Shots
a view of a situation or
setting from a distance.
Medium Long Shots
show group of people in
interaction with each
other, Example: fight
scene with part of their
surroundings in the
picture.
Full Shots
a view os a figure’s entire
body in order to show
action and/or a
constellation group of
characters
Medium Close Shots
shows a subject down to
his/her chest/waist.
Close up Shots
a full-screen shot of a
subject face showing the
finest nuances of
expression
Extreme Close up Shots
a shot of a hand, eye,
mouth, or any object in
detail.
POINT OF VIEW
SHOTS
Establishing Shots
Often used at the
beginning of a scene to
indicate the location or
setting, it is usually a long
shot taken from a neutral
position.
Point of View Shots
– Shows a scene from the
perspective of a
character or one person.
Most newsreel footages
are show from the
perspective of the
newscaster
Over-the-Shoulder Shots
Often used in dialogue scenes,
a frontal view of a dialogue
partner from the perspective
of someone standing behind
and slightly to the side of the of
other partner, so that parts of
both can be seen.
Reaction Shots
Short of a character’s
response To an action.
Insert Shots
A detail shot which quickly
gives visual information
necessary to understand
the meaning of scene.
Reverse-Angle Shots
A shot from the opposite
perspective.
TYPES OF
COMMAND ANGLES
Aerial Shots
Over Shot, Also Called
Bird’s Eye shot, Long or
extreme long shot of the
ground from the air
High-Angle-Shots
Shows people or objects
from above Higher than eye
level.
Low-Angle-Shots
Blow Shot, Shows people or
object from below lower
than eye level.
Eye-level Shots
Straight-on Angle, Views a
subject from the level of
person’s eye.
CAMERA
MOVMENTS
Pan Shot
The Camera pans (moves
Horizontally) from left to
right or vice versa across
the picture.
Tilt Shot
The Camera tilts up (moves
upwards) or tilts down
(moves down wards) around
a vertical line.
Tracking Shot
The camera follows along
next to or behind a moving
object or person.
Zoom
The stationary camera
approaches a subject by
“zooming in” or moves
farther away by “zooming
out”