Codes and Conventions

Codes - Familiar and predictable forms and techniques used by producers when creating media texts. These are used to communicate ideas or create impressions. Indicators or signs contained within a product that when identified by the audience created meaning.

Conventions - Commonly accepted ways of doing things. Can be genre-specific.

Semiotics - The study of signs and symbols, and their use or interpretation.
 
 
Codes and Conventions of Horror Movies:
- The villain is never really dead in order to appeal in many future sequels
- There's a spooky noise coming from a dark room and people decide that it's a great idea to investigate.
- POV shots from the killer
- The one girl who haven't slept with everyone are the only ones to survive at the end.
- Fake jumpscares (tension built up followed by something very underwhelming and not scary)
- The killers don't usually run anywhere
- The killers often wear masks (iconography and all)

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