Media Theory
Genre
Genre is a style or category of art, music or literature. In film the genre consists of the character, plot, story and setting. There are loads of genres and you can also have sub-genres which are more specific sub-classes of the larger category film genres.
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Genre Conventions
Iconography
Mise-En-Scene
Genre conventions are the way something is typically done. These are elements such as themes, characters, props, settings etc. For example in the genre Science Fiction there is the typically set on another planet with typical characters being aliens and the plotline of saving the world from these aliens. Genre conventions help to show the audience what type of genre the film is.
Iconography is the visual images, props and symbols that are used to convey key information. For example in Western films it is usually set in a desert with tumbleweed with cowboys, horses and guns. Iconography helps to establish the genre.
Mise-En-Scene is all the elements that comprise a single shot that includes actors, settings, props, costumes and lighting. For example a horror could have a haunted house as a setting with dark and atmospheric lighting and messy hair and makeup.
Main Genre Examples
Action
Action films are usually high energy with big physical stunts. Typically 'superhero's' battling 'villains'
Adventure
Adventure films are usually exciting stories with new experiences. Searching for treasure.
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Comedy
Comedy films are light-hearted plots with the aim to amuse. Action, relationships exaggerated scenarios.
Crime
Sinister actions of criminals/mobster. Typically bank robbers and murderers operating outside the law.
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Horror
Horror films are designed to frighten and invoke fear. With monsters and deranged humans.
Musicals
Musicals are cinematic forms that are a combination of music, singing, dance and choreography.
Romance
Romance is when the plot revolves around the love between two protagonists. Explores issues within love.
Codes and Conventions
Codes and Conventions are the tools used in media through technical, visual and audio techniques. They help to establish a films genre as films in specific genres will have matching codes and conventions.
Codes
Codes are the systems of signs that create meaning. They can be divided into two sides: technical and symbolic. Some codes fit into both for example music.
Symbolic Codes
Shows what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example the characters actions show you how they are feeling. These codes are understood by the audience. Foe example if you see a character give someone a red rose this makes you assume there is a romantic relationship between these two characters.
Technical Codes
All the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text. For example the camera work in film. These include camerawork, editing, audio and lighting.
Conventions
Conventions are the generally accepted way of doing something. There are general conventions in any media. Such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print interview. Conventions can also be genre specific.
Codes and Conventions in my favourite film.
One of my favourite films is Avengers: Infinity War which is an Action film.
Action Codes and Conventions in Infinity War
Convention- Hero + Villain characters
In this film there is one main villain 'Thanos' with his own objective and over 70 heroic characters opposing him.
Convention- Characters wear expensive looking battle clothing-
In this film the characters have their own unique costume with different technologies and materials.
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Convention- Weapons such as guns swords.
Infinity War has a wide range of weapons being used. Some with high technology and others naturally powerful.
Technical Codes- Fighting/gun sound effects and intense music
During fight battles in infinity war there is a lot of sound to reflect on the chaos.
Technical Codes-Editing in CGI for explosions and artificial creatures.
Infinity war has a wide variety of creatures in it and a lot of explosions/powers that were added digitally.
Symbolic codes- Camera shots show characters emotions
This film is full of emotion and heartbreak and the close up camera shots well display what they are feeling.
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Textual Analysis
Textual Analysis is the skill to 'read' a film which is an in depth investigation of the film that simply watching does not carry over. Analysing films gives them a deeper meaning and allows the full message to come across. There are some key areas of film language.
Mise-En-Scene
Everything in the frame including setting, costume, props, lighting, character movement etc. Mise-En-Scene helps to establish the films genre and tells us about the character or situation.
Sound
Sound can be dialogue, sound effects or music and is a vital part of analysing film. Diegetic sound is sound that naturally occurs in the scene and Non-Diegetic is sound that does not naturally occur on-screen space.
Editing
How the shots are put together to make the film. There are different types of editing such as chronological, cross cutting, montage and deep focus. The editing can help establish the films pace.
Mise-en-Scene Analysis
'Seven' is a 1995 Crime/Drama film which is about 2 detectives bringing justice to a serial killer murdering people according to the seven deadly sins. Mise-En-Scene is everything in the frame and this can reveal the films genre, meaning and as the viewer help to understand the film better.
The scene in 'Seven' I am going to analyse is the New Office scene where the two detectives Mil's and Somerset interact. The scene begins by Mil's entering his office where Somerset immediately tidies up his papers in a organised pile and moves to another desk. The desk is at the side of the room and facing to the wall away from Mil's desk this shows the distance in their relationship. The office is dimly lit with dark desks and cabinets which shows it is not a warm atmosphere. The shot is a Wide shot which shows the whole office with both characters in and this shot holds for around 25 seconds with a slow zoom which establishes the scene and where they work. While Mil unpacks his belongings he is constantly looking around the room and over his shoulder at Somerset reflecting that he is uncomfortable. On the other hand Somerset is completely focused on his work as does not look up or acknowledge Mil moving about. The camera shot changes to close ups of both Mil and Somerset showing their work ethic.
As soon at Mil has settled and picked up a pen to begin work the phone rings which distracts Somerset. Mil looks to Somerset as if he is asking permission to take the call or waiting for Somerset to answer it. This shows that Mil isn't very confident in the office but Somerset says "Phone, it's a package deal. Comes with the Office" which reassures Mil that he has the authority to answer the phone in his own office. The presence of Somerset in Mil's office has made him insecure of his authority. When he answers the phone he is in an upright confident position and states his first name with no friendly greeting. As soon as he hears that it is his wife his posture immediately changes and he hunches forward and to the right, away from Somerset. Mil believes that the call is unprofessional in the workplace and puts him at risk of judgment from Somerset but Somerset is completely focused on his work and continues it.
Mil's wife asks to speak with Somerset and Mil visually hesitates and shows that he is worried to ask. When he finally finds the courage to ask Somerset about talking to his wife, Somerset turns round confused and asks 'sorry?' as if he didn't hear because he was more concentrated on his work. When Somerset takes the phone from Mil he stands up and introduces himself more formally then Mil did as Detective Somerset. While Somerset and Tracy talk on the phone Mil is side eyeing and trying to catch onto what they are talking about but tries to make it discrete. As soon ad they finish the conversation and Somerset goes to hand the phone back Mil quickly snatches it and tries to talk to his wife but she is off the line. Mil is unsettled about not knowing something that Somerset and his wife knows so asks about it and Somerset replies simply and straight to the point.