Notes: Visual Language
SWAT CODES
• Symbolic Codes - colour, lighting, symbolic objects, costumes, etc.
Written Codes - signs, titles, slogans, etc.
Audio Codes - dialogue, music, sound effects, etc.
Technical Codes - Camera angles, Camera distance (Shot Sizes) and
Framing (Mise-en-scene)
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SWAT Codes
Symbolic Written Audio Technical
What we imply/infer What we read What we hear What we see
Symbolism can be used to show a Titles: the way a title might be written,
Music: music is used to create certain Camera angles: these position the
thought or idea. It is used to put an idea or the font chosen, can add meaning to
moods; i.e. you wouldn’t use jazz music viewer so that they can understand the
across to the audience. how we see a film. I.e. Finding Nemo in a horror film. It also causes a physical relationship between characters and
Symbols in film might include: title is in the shape of a fish/wave to
reaction in the viewer; it can make them about a character themselves.
`reiterate that idea of it being set in the
happy, sad, shocked, etc.
• Objects sea Camera shots: there are used to
• Setting Narration: similar to point of view in a demonstrate different aspects of setting,
• Body language Subtitles: For example, if it is very book, it helps a viewer get a greater themes and characters
• Clothing important that viewer know the exact insight into a characters mind, as well as
• Shops setting of the film, the name of the town additional information that we might Camera movement: this helps to add a
• Sounds or a country will flash on the screen as a not be able to see sense of realism to a scene, or is used to
• Music subtitle when we first cut to that setting. position the audience.
• Pictures This setting may have some symbolic Sound effects: certain effects are used
• Colour significance, so the written code ensures to help viewers form a response, i.e. the Lighting: Lighting helps create a specific
we know where it is. use of echoing footsteps to suggest a mood, emotion or atmosphere. The way
How we recognise a symbol depends on character is alone and vulnerable. It that a scene is lit can create an
where we live, and what we learn from Signs: They can be literal, such as no makes things sound more realistic, and emotional response in the viewer.
our families, and the surrounding smoking, or they can be used to show highlight an objects power or effect.
environment as we grow up. messages or ideas, such as in Tokyo Juxtaposition: this is where two shots
Drift, where the mother asks ‘is it illegal Dialogue: This is conversations are placed immediately after each other
to smoke in here?’ in front of a No between characters- it helps us form a for effect; it usually compares two things
Smoking sign. response to a character. to provoke a reaction; i.e. a shot of a
character eating, and then a shot of a
Silence: in some scene, silence will be pig- this implies that they are a pig.
used to emphasise an event. It can
highlight fear, shock, suspense and
tension.
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Technical Codes
Camera Shot
• The size of a shot refers to the kind of image we see in a frame (one still
image).
Long Shot
• A long shot includes a
human figure and
some of the
surroundings.
• This shot shows the
link between the
characters and their
surroundings.
Medium Shot
• A medium shot shows
a person from waist
up with some
background scenery.
• We can view facial
expressions and body
language and get to
know the character
more closely.
Close-Up Shot
• A close-up shot
shows a character’s
face, hands, feet or
an object in detail.
• The viewer can pay
close attention to one
piece of action or the
thoughts and feelings
of a character.
• This type of shot
often helps to
increase tension.
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Camera Angles
• The angle of the camera helps to set the mood of the film.
• It also tells the viewer a lot about who has the power or what level of
importance a
• character has.
High-angle Shot
• In a high angle shot the
camera is above the person
or object.
• The high angle shot looks
down on the subject.
• It puts the viewer in a
superior position to the
subject and it makes the
subject appear weak, inferior
or under pressure.
Eye-level Shot
• An eye level shot shows a
character at eye-level to the
camera.
• It encourages the audience
to see the character as being
on an equal footing to
themselves and other
characters.
• An eye level shot creates a
sense of realism because
this is how we see the world.
Low-angle Shot
• In a low-angle shot, the
camera is below the person
or object.
• It is usually used to make
that person or object look
powerful and important.
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