Codes and Conventions Definition

In class I learnt about codes and conventions which I found very useful and informative. Below is some brief information about it which will be able to help me throughout the duration of this project.

Codes

Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. These may include both technical codes or symbolic codes. An example of a code that creates meaning is gold chains and baggy pants in a Hip-Hop music video.

-  Technical Codes - This is all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text (e.g. - camera work or editing).

-  Symbolic Codes - This shows what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a characters action can show you how they are feeling and their emotions.


Conventions

Conventions are the widely recognised way of doing something which is to do with content, form and style. There are two types of conventions which consists of:

- Technical Conventions - A convention in a technical area. These conventions, apply to the majority of music videos for e.g. the video being the same length as the song and fast cuts

- Genre Conventions - this is where conventions are associated with a particular genre. An example of this would be Pop videos, that ba e dance routines and bands performing songs with instruments.

Conventions of a music video:

-  The video is the same Length as the song (somewhere around 4 minutes)
- They present the band/artist, who look as though they are singing
- They have lots of fast editing

These conventions dont however, apply to all music videos.


Difference between Codes and Conventions

The difference between codes and conventions, is that codes might be individual to the media text you are analysing for example, a music video may use a tracjing shot that is significant however completely irrelevant in another video. Whereas, conventions are something they all share within a genre.