Research : Codes and Conventions Of Horror Films

Codes:

Codes are signs that give a film a meaning. There are two types of codes, symbolic and technical.

Symbolic codes present us with what is hidden beneath the surface of what we see. This could be used with character's emotions and actions throughout the film to show you how the character is feeling at different times.

Technical codes are ways that the equipment is applied to tell the story effectively in a film. This could be the lighting in a horror film, which would probably be dark with a small amount if light.

Some elements of films fit into both types of codes, such as the music which is non-diegetic.

Conventions:

Conventions are things that are commonly used in films that give it a certain genre. For example in horror films some conventions are that the characters are in the middle of nowhere and can't get help when in danger, when someone is being chased in a building they run past the door that is unlocked and go upstairs where they are trapped, or someone trips over when they are being chased.

How codes and conventions are applied in media studies:

Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.
For example, the technical code of lighting is used in a way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense.