SWAT Codes
What are they and how do film makers use them to
communicate?
S = Symbolic codes
 Symbolic codes include, but are not limited to:
 Objects
 Clothing
 Appearance
 Shapes
 Colours
 Lighting
 Non-verbal communication such as gestures.
What do these objects mean?
Clothing
Appearance
Shapes
Colours as symbols
Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
http://www.incredibleart.org/less
ons/middle/color2.htm
Lighting
Nonverbal cues
 These include:
 Facial expressions
 Gestures
 Posture
 Eye-lines
 The way the actor walks and moves
W = Written Codes
 Any written text that you see. They include:
 Signs
 Sub-titles
 Slogans
 Credits.
 Type face – size and font
 Formatting – paragraphs, columns, dot points
Simple phrases carry a lot of meaning.
• Extra
meaning can be attached to a phrase and phrases can
become part of the ‘cultural vernacular’ at your peer group
level through to a national or global level.
•Have you ever:
•Noticed how a friend says something and others copy it?
•Used a catch-phrase from a celebrity?
•Used a slogan from a company?
•If so, you are hinting at more than the literal meaning of the
words you spoke or wrote.
The same is true for written codes
Film makers often hint at extra meaning in the words, fonts, size and
location of the text. There is usually a reason for the inclusion of text in
a film.
For example: This still from the 1996 film of Romeo + Juliet is a sign outside
a service station where the Capulets and Montagues fight. The service
station burns as a result.
Question:Why
would the film
maker have chosen
to include this sign?
Consider the context of
Romeo & Juliet: youth,
conflict, romance.
A= Audio Codes
 Any sound in the film text.
 Sound effects
 Dialogue
 Score – sound track
Sound is added to the film after filming so that
means:
•Any inclusion of sound is deliberate.
•Any sound has a purpose such as:
•to create mood
•to develop the plot
•to give information
T = Technical Codes: the basics…
 Camera angles
 Low, eye-level, high
 Shot type / framing
 Long, medium, close up.
 Shot duration
 Time in seconds of each shot.
 Camera movement
 Pan, tilt, zoom in, zoom out
 Special effect: Fade in / Fade out / CGI / Blue Screen
Low camera angle
Low camera angle: Often constructs the subject
seem intimidating or powerful.
Eye level
Eye level: Helps the audience access the
emotions of the characters.
High Camera Angle
High angle: Presents the subject as vulnerable.
Shot type / Framing: Long shot
Long shot: Helps establish setting and create
mood.
Full shot
Full shot: Helps establish character. We can see
the character from the head to feet.
Medium shot
Medium shot: We can see the subject from the
waist up. Shows some background. Used to
create action or help conversations and
romance. Often tension is created.
Close up
Close up: Shows the subjects face. Establishes
emotion. Allows the audience to see detail that might
help build character or develop the plot.
Shot duration
 This is how long an individual shot lasts. That is howl
long before the camera changes?
 Short shot durations are used for action and to build
tension.
 Long shot durations are used for conversations, slowing
the pace of the film down, developing emotions such as
love, or to establish setting.
 Watch the trailer for 47 Ronin (WARNING: LOW LEVEL
VIOLENCE. When are long shot durations used? When are
short shot durations used? (Relatively for a trailer):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8cKdDkkIYY
Camera movement: basics
 Dolly or tracking shot: Often used to explore a room, such
as a restaurant or meeting room. Can be used to follow
characters whilst talking.
 Pan: Gives a panoramic view to establish setting.
 Zoom in and zoom out: Helps focus attention. When done
quickly it can cause confusion or emphasise the size and
speed of an object.
Special Effects
 These can be as simple as transitions between scenes
such as fade in or fade out, or as complex as advanced
CGI, such as in Avatar.
 Special Effects are deliberate.
 It is up to you to determine their purpose and how
effective they are.
Take note
 These are not a definitive list and film
makers are always finding new ways to
express themselves!
Practice
 Watch the trailer for 47 Ronin again. Identify 1 camera
angle, 1 shot type, 1 shot duration, special effect plus any
other symbol, audio or written code. What is its effect?
Code
What did you see?
Effect
Camera angle
Shot type
Shot duration
Special Effect
Symbol, audio or
written code
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8cKdDkkIYY