Codes And Conventions

What are codes ?

They are system of signs which create meaning and are divided into two meanings.

Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text for example camera work in a film.

Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see for example a characters actions show what a character is feeling.

What are conventions ?

They are a widely recognised way of doing something which is to do with content form and style and like codes there are two types of conventions.

What are the conventions of a drama film ?

Exhibits real life situations with real life characters and realistic situations settings and stories.

Portrays journeys of characters development.

Purpose of a dramatic story line is to move the audience emotionally.

Structured climaxes and anti climaxes to keep the audience emotionally attached and involved.

Dramas can be linked with other genres such as tragedy and comedies.

What we are doing 

We chose to do a drama because they are interesting and easy to film because they have clear conventions like the ones above and we have adapted them in our own way as seen below.

We chose to do a real life situation of the disappearance of Genette Tate. 

It doesn't necessarily portray the journey of a particular character but could portray the journey of her kidnapper because of the crimes he has committed in the past.

I think that it moves the audience because it is a true event and so it moves the audience emotionally because they really feel for Genette and her family. 

I think the climax of our opening is at the end of it when the camera goes to the bike and Genette isn't there. I think this will involve and intrigue the audience because they will want to know what has happened. 

The other genre that our opening is linked with is crime because the disappearance is a case that involves the police thus making it a crime drama.