WHAT ARE FILM CONVENTIONS/SWAT CODES? Activity: Review and/or learn what Film Conventions/SWAT Codes are by working though Learn, Write, Spell, Play, Test in this Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_9d4t4y?x=1qqt&i=pnc66 Activity: Provide examples, wherever possible, of the following Film Conventions/SWAT Codes in this Stop Motion Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxyJju6UWq0&ab_channel=WildBrain-KidsTVShowsFullEpisodes Symbolic Code: the use of objects, colour, lighting and/or ideas that represent something (a concept, an idea, a group, a product, an identity, an emotion etc.) e.g. a crown symbolises royalty Example from film:____________________________________________________________________ Written Code: the use of words to set the scene, provide information (written preludes/ prologue or epilogue, words on screen, opening credits, signage and words as part of the scene) Example from film:__________________________________________________________________ Audio Code: Audio/Sound: the use of sound to set the tone of scenes and establish mood e.g. sadness or joy - Sound may be diegetic (actual sounds from characters or actions or non-diegetic which are added during editing, including music and special sound effects Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ - Counterpoint refers to sound that contradicts the image Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Voiceover/Narration: - The story (plot) is told by an external narrator Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ - or a character in the film is narrating while events paly out on screen Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ - or the protagonist’s (or other characters’) private thoughts are shared though voiceover Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Technical Code: Camera work: Camera angles Extreme high/bird’s eye – signals the size of the setting and and/or insignificance of people in context Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ High – makes subject look vulnerable and insignificant, can accentuate fear, loneliness, isolation, powerlessness etc. Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Eye level - establishes equality of characters, helps viewer to identify with character. Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Low – makes subject look larger and more powerful or important or even threatening or possessing other negative traits. Can also accentuate bravery or admiration or other positive traits. Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Extreme low – may make viewer feel uncomfortable or intimidated by the imposing nature of the authoritarian subject Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Over the shoulder – both characters are visible in the shot but the listening character is usually in the foreground and the listening character in the background so the viewer can see character expressions etc. and understand relationships better Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Point of view – conveys a character’s perception of an event/experience such as the feeling of being dizzy Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Shot size Establishing – used at the start of a scene, identifies location and orients audience expectations Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Two shot – two characters can be observed from the front, in the same shot at the same time Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Extreme close up – magnifies anything significant and may arouse viewers’ sense of mystery Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Close up – common shot size to show character expressions and responses Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Extreme long shot – signals the size of a setting and often the insignificance of people in the context of that setting Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Long shot/Full shot – establishes the main location of a scene. Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Medium shot – establishes the main characters and all relevant elements of a scene Example from film:________________________________________________________________ Camera movement Panning – the camera moves from side to side from a focal point Example from film:________________________________________________________________ Tracking – the camera follows the subject along a parallel track Example from film:________________________________________________________________ Tilting – the camera moves up and down from a focal point Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Zoom in – the camera remains stationary but magnifies the subject using optical or digital zooming Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Zoom out - the camera remains stationary but the subject is made smaller using optical or digital zooming Example from film:________________________________________________________________ Lighting: High contrast lighting – can create a mysterious, intriguing atmosphere. Can also be used to Accentuate/highlight a feature Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Shadow – the use of light and dark to create a particular mood or atmosphere Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Colour: - the use of colour and/or coloured filters and/or digital enhancement to focus viewers’ attention on major themes or to signal a character’s mood or state of mind; or to set a particular tone or atmosphere Example from film:_____________________________________________________________ Juxtaposition: - images are placed side by side to emphasise a particular order of events or an intended meaning Example from film:____________________________________________________________ Mise-en-scene (what is put into the frame): – the components such as objects, sets, actors, costumes, etc. purposefully chosen to be shown or included within the frame to create the intended meaning Example from film:________________________________________________________________ Costuming: - important for establishing the setting and characterisation as well as creating atmosphere Example from film:_____________________________________________________________
