Analysing Moving Images

When analysing moving images it is important to look at both technical and symbolic codes.

Symbolic codes include settings, space, costume, lighting/colour, body language as well as objects and props. Technical codes include the types of shots, CGI technologies used, editing, camera angles/lens/types, camera movement and sound.

Symbolic Codes

Settings - Was the moving image of low or high production value?

             - Decor/style and interiors - Think about why the props that are used are used for

             - Was it filmed on location or in a studio?

             - Is the production realist or escapist?

             - What are the genre conventions of the particular moving image, and are they relevant here?

             -  Are the audience able to identify with it?

Space - Consider the depth and proximity

           - Are things juxtaposed, such as light and dark?

           - Are the sizes and proportions of things manipulated?

Costume - Are the costumes realist or escapist?

               - Are the costumes reminiscient of a certain time period or age? Or do they belong to a particular social class?

               - Do the costumes reveal anything regarding the genre and its conventions?

               - Again, high or low production cost?

               - Do costumes link to any national or regional identities?

               - Do the costumes show us anything about a characters status or role?

Lighting/Colour - Is high key or low key lighting used?

                        - Is a single source or a fill light used?

                        - Are shadows and silhouettes made use of?

                        - Do the colours used conform to a particular genre? Eg black and white (Noir)

                        - Is saturation used?

                        - What sort of colours are used? Bright? Pale? Primary?

                          

Body Language - Consider the pose and posture of the actors, as well as their movement and style

                         - Do they make eye contact?

                        

Objects and Props - Do they reveal anything regarding genre conventions?

                              - Are there intertextual references?

                              - Do props reveal clues about characters?

                              - Are there any narrative enigmas?

Technical Codes

Types of Shot - Close ups/ extreme close ups

                      - Establishing shot

                      - Long shot/ mid shot

                      - Arial shots

                      - Point of view shots (omnicient shots?)

CGI Technology - Digital imaging/SFX

                          - Does the moving image make use of animation?

                          - Is it filmed in 3D?

Editing - Straight cut/ wipe/ jump cut

           - Transition/ fade to black/ dissolve

           - Flash cut

Camera Angles/Lens/Type - Are high angles and low angles used?

                                         - Are wide angles used?

                                         - Is it filmed used a hand held camera or a digital camera?

Camera Movement - Are pans used?

                              - Does the moving image use tracking shots?

                              - Does the moving image make use of stills and freeze frames?

                              - Is the moving image in slow motion, or is it speeded up?

Sound - Does the moving image make use of diegetic sounds? (sounds that are within the production that actors are supposed to hear)

           - Does the moving image make use of non diegetic sounds? (background music, such as the soundtrack)

           - Is there a voice over?