Codes and Conventions

Codes and conventions for documentaries:
> Varied shot types and movement to keep audience interested
> Handheld camerawork used for actuality footage where necessary
> Interviews: CU or MCU is conventional BCU or ECU can be used stationary camera ( tripod)
> Eye line roughly 1/3 way down screen
> Framed to left or right of shot
> Establishing shots are used
> Pan and zoom are used when filming still images
> Point of view shot sometimes used to position audience in the action
> Mise-en-scene behind interviews is either related to the subject e.g. chromakey or anchors there job related to the subject
> Achieve material from a verity
> Graphics used to translate where necessary
> Title unique/creative
> Name and relevance to subject or role of interviewees, usually two line 'Matt Smith' Plays the thing - This anchors who they are and their relevance to the subject, usually opposite side of the screen in bigger letter.
> Credits, usually scrolling, archive material credited
>Narrative structure can vary open/closed / circular Single strand is not complicated and non linear so audience can understand
> Sound- Voice over used to link everything together, hold the structure together, standard English, age and gender usually relate to either audience or subject. Not partial, tend to be emotionless.
> Interviews - all questions are edited out; music is used relevant to the topic.
> Interviews no background noise or kept to a minimum.

Codes and Conventions for radio adverts:
> Extracts from the program are used.
> Channel name - is the last thing you hear
> Scheduling - time and day
> Music bed sometimes used
> Voice over
> Has a narrative structure
Codes and conventions for newspaper print adverts:
> Contains one strong image
> Slogan
> Schedule information and channel
> Logo should be the only other things on the advert.

>Words are kept to a minimum

> Portrait images are used for full page print adverts.

> Landscape images are used for adverts that only take up a section of the page.