What are codes and conventions ?
Codes : Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning codes can be divided into two categories- technical and symbolic
Symbolic codes: show what is beneath the surface of what we see.
Conventions: A generally accepted way of doing something. They are generally connected to a medium.
Codes and conventions are used together in media products- it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as a camera without saying that it is conventionally used in a genre.
Conventions of documentary
Hand Held camera- This is commonly used to show that the footage is real or on shot on the go.
Narrative Voice Over- This is just as it sounds a clear voice over often telling you about the subjects shown to you.
Vox pops and Interviews- These are interviews that are mainly used to show someones points on a specific subject.
Diagetic and/or non diagetic sound- This is the sounds that you might be able to hear in the background that can sometimes make the film seem more realistic.
Use of archive footage- This is just old footage that has been put up but still helps prove the points made and can be informative.
Selective editing- This is where the producers chose certain peices of film over the others so that mostly there opinion is shown.
Shot in POV- Point Of View- If something is shot in point of view it means that it is shot to show you that persons point of view.
Establishing shot and close up- This commonly starts with the camera showing you the wider image and then to make a point they will zoom into the evidence.
Single Stranded( One theme or subject)- This is the subject that connects the documentry all together for example if you are watching a documentry on the sea it might go onto detail about the life living there but it will always be connected to the sea.
Parellel Ending- This is a split ending that both come to the same or similair conclusion.
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