Lesson Six

Wednesday 28th September 2016Media Language –Codes and Conventions

The Shining (re-release trailer)

The Shining (spoof trailer)

Learning Intentions

• To understand “the rules” ofvisual media.

• To consider how media products are designed to make sense to audiences.

• To learn the “language” of images.

Success Criteria

• I will:– Understand what media codes and conventions

are– Consider how codes and conventions are used

within visual media– Learn how to analyse images

Codes

• What is a code?– A method of communication which must be

cracked?• Each medium has its own code– You need to learn the code to understanding the

meaning.

Decode…

• What codesare presenthere?

Decode…

• Clip from Skins (Channel 4)

Decode…

Conventions

• What is a “convention”?• The “accepted” way of doing things• The “rules”• What are the conventions

of TV drama?– Characters– Settings– Plots

What are conventions of…

• Quiz shows?• Tabloid papers?• First person shooters?

End of Lesson Six

Task• Work in pairs/ threes• You are going to “pitch” a new TV drama– You can choose any genre– You need a basic plot– You need at least four characters– You need a clear setting

• You will “pitch” your idea at the beginning of Wednesday’s lesson

• You will need to explain how it fits the codes and conventions of your chosen genre.