7 Deadly Sins

This module explores the Seven Deadly Sins, with a focus on understanding how to use media codes and conventions to really communicate theme in a film.  To do this well, we need to be able to combine all aspects of our production in such a way that our audience feels what we want them to feel.

The film text has the potential to engage us viscerally and phenomenologically, through a complex crafting of visual and audial codes carefully arranged in time and space to arouse emotional, ethical and cognitive responses. This filmic experience, as opposed to its logical content, might be seen as the central measure of any given film production, and holds its place at the center of the schemata. According to Petkovic, “It is the filmic experience with all of its trance-like phenomenology and ambiguous logic that is the defining attribute of the screen production”.

Symbolic Codes:  Visual motifs or recurring symbols that represent broader themes, ideas, or character arcs within the film/show. These can include:

1. Objects or props that take on symbolic meaning through repetition or association. For example, a locket representing lost love, a chess piece symbolizing strategy/power, or a particular toy holding sentimental value.

2. Colors used symbolically. For instance, red representing passion/danger, blue for sadness/loyalty, or a desaturated color palette suggesting bleakness.

3. Symbolic imagery or iconography drawn from mythology, religion, or cultural/literary sources. An example could be using Christian crucifixion imagery to symbolize sacrifice or featuring ancient Greek/Roman statues to evoke classical ideals.

4. Character names or terminology chosen for their symbolic connotations, like a character named "Rose" representing beauty/romance.

5. Symbolic framing or composition choices, such as characters framed through jail-bar-like structures to symbolize entrapment or shot from low angles to symbolize disempowerment.

The consistency and intentionality in using these symbolic codes allows filmmakers to add layers of subtext and reinforce central themes in a visual, subliminal way throughout the narrative.

Audio Codes:

1. Dialogue - The spoken words and conversations between characters, driving the narrative.

2. Foley - Recreated everyday sound effects like footsteps, cloth movements, object handling etc. Recorded and synced in post-production.

3. Sound Effects (SFX) -

   • Diegetic: Sounds occurring within the narrative world (e.g. car engines, gunshots, animal noises)

   • Non-Diegetic: Sounds not originating from the story world (e.g. transition sound effects)

4. Music -

   • Diegetic: Music originating from onscreen sources (e.g. characters playing instruments, radios)

   • Non-Diegetic: Soundtrack/score music not acknowledged by the characters

5. Ambient Environmental Audio - Background noises that establish a sense of place (e.g. city streets, forest ambience)

6. Vocal Performance - Aspects like intonation, accents, urgency in how lines are delivered by actors.

7. Perspective/Point-of-Audition - Manipulating audio to simulate the audience hearing from a character's subjective perspective.

Skilled use of these audio codes amplifies the emotional impact, creates atmospheres, and enhances the reality of the visuals. Seamless blending of diegetic/non-diegetic elements is crucial.

Technical Codes:

1. Cinematography Techniques:

   • Shot Types (close-up, medium, wide etc.)

   • Camera Angles (high, low, Dutch etc.)

   • Camera Movements (pan, tilt, dolly, Steadicam etc.)

   • Lens Choices (wide, telephoto, macro etc.)

   • Lighting Setups (three-point, motivated, stylized etc.)

2. Editing Techniques:

   • Cuts (shot-reverse shot, jump cut, smash cut etc.)

   • Transitions (dissolve, wipe, fade etc.)

   • Pacing and Rhythm Control

3. Composition Techniques:

   • Rule of Thirds

   • Leading Lines

   • Framing and Headroom

4. Color Grading/Digital Intermediate Controls:

   • Adjusting contrast, saturation, temperature

   • Look creation (tints, LUTs etc.)

5. Visual Effects Integration:

   • Compositing live footage with CG elements

   • Chroma keying

   • Digital set extensions

6. Aspect Ratios and Frame Rates

7. Audio Engineering:

   • Mixing and balancing multi-channel audio

   • Syncing production audio to visuals

   • Audio compression/normalization

Systematic application of these highly technical codes allows filmmakers precise creative control to shape the final audiovisual product according to their vision.

Written Codes:

1. Screenplays/Scripts - The foundation blueprint containing all the narrative elements - descriptions of settings, characters, actions, and dialogue. Following specific formatting guidelines.

2. On-Screen Text - Diegetic (existing within the narrative world) examples include:

   • Text messages, emails, letters shown on screen

   • Subtitles translating foreign dialogue

   • Words/phrases as graphics elements (title cards, graffiti, neon signs, etc.)

3. Storyboards - Visual outlines made up of illustrated sequences sketched out shot-by-shot. Allows previsualization of scenes.

4. Title Sequences - The written design and graphics making up the opening titles, often stylized to set the tone.

5. Closed Captioning - Text transcription of dialogue/audio for hearing impaired viewers.

6. Slug Lines - The scene headers in scripts describing the location and time of day.

7. Shooting Scripts - The screenplay re-typed with specific technical instructions (camera angles, lens info etc.)

These written codes are essential, from being the initial foundation to enhancing and supplementing the visuals during production and post. The interplay of text and visuals creates layers of meaning.