Learning Objective: To identify genre conventions within moving image film trailers
Generally in Media Studies, you will need to analyse a text in terms of visual codes, technical codes, and possibly audio codes. These will help to categorise the text in terms of genre.
This categorisation can also include codes of camerawork, Lighting, editing and sound for audio-visual media
and graphic design elements for print-based and interactive media
VISUAL CODES including:
Facial expressions
Colour uses
Body language and gesture
Graphics
Settings
TECHNICAL CODES including:
AUDIO CODES including:
Key words: Iconography, codes, conventions, deconstruction.
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Iconography – symbolic representation, especially the conventional meanings attached to an image or images
In Media Studies we see iconography as part of genre, and particularly film genre. Students need to know the term and how it is used. It is quite a complex concept that informs image analysis and the deconstruction of genre. Iconography originates from the study of art.
Task 1: Identify the visual, technical and audio codes that help to categorise these trailers for audiences:
3 Lists for each of 3 trailers. Orange books.
For legal reasons, the trailer starts with a film rating, stating which audience the film is appropriate for.
In this case, Inception has been approved for appropriate audiences.
The opening shot begins with the production and company logos on a black screen associated with background music. - Audio code
The trailer cuts into the opening shot of the trailer. The music persists with a slow tempo beat and occasional thud sounds to convey a calm feeling, alongside a serious tone of thud noises to suggest that mystery and action is about to escalate. - Audio code
An extreme close up shot of a male protagonist on the floor in the rain, depicts an image of weakness which is typical of an action thriller. It conveys a theme of hopelessness as the male protagonist is usually being plotted against/in danger. - Technical code
A voice over, of the leading character is used as he looks directly at the camera. - Mode of Address
The opening shot begins with the production and company logos on a black screen associated with background music. - Audio code
The trailer cuts into the opening shot of the trailer. The music persists with a slow tempo beat and occasional thud sounds to convey a calm feeling, alongside a serious tone of thud noises to suggest that mystery and action is about to escalate. - Audio code
An extreme close up shot of a male protagonist on the floor in the rain, depicts an image of weakness which is typical of an action thriller. It conveys a theme of hopelessness as the male protagonist is usually being plotted against/in danger. - Technical code
A voice over, of the leading character is used as he looks directly at the camera. - Mode of Address
His tone of voice is serious and concise as he narrates in first person. It directly emphasises his perspective with the viewer. Audio code
Fade in and out shots are numerously used to keep the slow tempo of the music in line with durated film shots. The film shots are situated at daylight, and vary from different location settings such as the streets, public restaurants and inside buildings. Dialogue scenes from the film is also combined in the trailer, to preview scenes from the film. - Technical code
These scenes differ from characters and location, the type of film shots such as panning shots of cars, over the shoulder shots of characters and extreme close up shots of objects and people. - Technical code
During the fade out shots of film scenes, the thud sound from the background music is combined with a zoom out heading , of key information such as starring characters eg Leonardo Dicaprio. This grabs the viewers attention with key information and dramatic music.
During the trailer a light is shone into the main characters face, the shot then cuts into an establishing overview shot of mountains and the music escalades into a louder volume, faster tempo music. This signifies the climax of the trailer as the plotline prevails and insinuates a theme of terror. - Visual code
There is also a thematic dress code of the males in the trailer, they appear to be wearing black suits which can convey a working class that are part of a business or possibly a gang. It suggests further mystery and objects such as a guns are shown in full view shots in the trailer which insinuates plotted murders and a chase evoking. - Visual code
Paranormal shots such as objects twisting and turning adds to the theme of mystery, as the dramatic music and film scenes are combined to infer action. Drowning horn sounds associates with the film titles at the end of the trailer, including the release date and film title. The trailer immediately cuts off after the horn sound, which leaves the audience with questions to answer and a need to see the film.
Fade in and out shots are numerously used to keep the slow tempo of the music in line with durated film shots. The film shots are situated at daylight, and vary from different location settings such as the streets, public restaurants and inside buildings. Dialogue scenes from the film is also combined in the trailer, to preview scenes from the film. - Technical code
These scenes differ from characters and location, the type of film shots such as panning shots of cars, over the shoulder shots of characters and extreme close up shots of objects and people. - Technical code
During the fade out shots of film scenes, the thud sound from the background music is combined with a zoom out heading , of key information such as starring characters eg Leonardo Dicaprio. This grabs the viewers attention with key information and dramatic music.
During the trailer a light is shone into the main characters face, the shot then cuts into an establishing overview shot of mountains and the music escalades into a louder volume, faster tempo music. This signifies the climax of the trailer as the plotline prevails and insinuates a theme of terror. - Visual code
There is also a thematic dress code of the males in the trailer, they appear to be wearing black suits which can convey a working class that are part of a business or possibly a gang. It suggests further mystery and objects such as a guns are shown in full view shots in the trailer which insinuates plotted murders and a chase evoking. - Visual code
Paranormal shots such as objects twisting and turning adds to the theme of mystery, as the dramatic music and film scenes are combined to infer action. Drowning horn sounds associates with the film titles at the end of the trailer, including the release date and film title. The trailer immediately cuts off after the horn sound, which leaves the audience with questions to answer and a need to see the film.
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