Symbolic Code

 Symbolic Code in Film 

I wish to use the symbolic code in my film because of the way I  would be able to express myself in different ways, and create different meaning or understanding throughout my film. Symbolic code is when signs or symbols within a production represent opposition. It is used so different audiences can interpret the meaning they're trying to express in different ways as people's point of views are altered due to their personal experiences, culture, gender, age, beliefs, and the way they intake the context. These are used to create juxtaposition in film or to get a message across indirectly. 

Specific things that can be used to represent ideas, emotions, or values are..

- Colors are able to represent different emotions which creates a heavy importance towards symbolism. In media, red symbolizes love, passion, danger and obsession. Blue symbolizes sadness, emotional distance, and loneliness. Yellow symbolizes, warmth, happiness, and instability. Green symbolizes envy, sickness, and imbalance. Black symbolizes power, death, and mystery. White symbolizes purity, innocence, and emptiness.

Concept of colors

Example from Black Swan (2010) 

- Lighting can be altered with small light sources, big light sources and even natural light sources such as the sun that can give off different tones of warmth through the screen. Low-key lighting represents mystery and danger. High-key lighting represents safety and openness while shadows create secrets and dual identity. Backlighting represents isolations or loss of control and soft lighting represents intimacy and vulnerability. Lastly, harsh lighting represents exposure and discomfort. 

    Film lighting 

Example from Euphoria (2019)

-  Clothing is able symbolize personality, emotional state, power, transformation, and relationships. It also helps the audience understand characters without dialogue. Normally, dark clothing resembles mystery and grief, light colors resemble innocence and vulnerability, formal clothing resembles control and authority, and casual or messy clothing resembles chaos and emotional instability.

Costume designers in film

Examples from Cruella (2021) 

- Settings such as the location and environment create an ambiance that can add to the mood, isolation or connection of the film. For example, empty spaces normally resemble loneliness or emotional distance. Confined spaces resemble entrapment or pressure. Natural settings resemble freedom and honesty while urban environments resemble alienation or intensity.

Behind the scenes of the environment on film

Examples from various movies including The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

- Body language or non-verbal communication allow understanding of power, attraction, fear, and emotional truth. Specific examples that are used in film are avoiding eye contact normally means secrecy or guilt. Closed posture means defensiveness, leaning in represents intimacy or trust. Physical distance leads to emotional separation and mirroring means connection or desire. 

Different types of emotions being shown through body language

Example from Nightcrawler (2014) 

- Music is able to symbolize emotional tone and inner thoughts. Music can reflect a characters' inner emotions or thoughts by creating a mood that reveals feelings they may not be able to express properly or directly through dialogue or actions. Emotions could follow throughout the overall tensions, romance, or danger. Examples of how it is shown; are a slow piano in film normally connects towards sadness an longing. String instruments follow through with romance and vulnerability. Silence normally goes along with tension or discomfort. Sudden loud music resembles shock or fear, and repeated motifs is for obsession or fate. 

Short video explaining how important music is in films

Example of how important the Imperial march has became for Star Wars

Many films use this theory in films and other productions because when a piece of media sends a clear, straightforward message towards an audience of the point they want to get across, the audience simply receives it. On the other hand, when a piece of media presents symbols for the point that they are trying to express, the audience interprets the true meaning behind it instead of simply acknowledging it. 

Sources: 

- Chandler, D. (2017). Semiotics: The basics. Aberystwyth University

- Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2020). Film art: An introduction (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

- BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). Codes and conventions in media studies.

- British Film Institute. (n.d.). Film sound and music.