Codes And Conventions Of Factual Programming Essay Sample

Codes and conventions are used in factual programming in the media. There are different types of codes that are useful in the delivery of information to the audiences. There are technical codes which involve lighting, juxtaposition, the framing, camera techniques, exposure and depth of field. Another code is the symbolic code which involves the body language, setting, color and the clothing involved in the programming. The objects used are part of the symbolic codes used in factual programming. Written codes such as headlines, speech bubbles and language styles are used in factual programming. Factual programming also has conventions. The conventions refer to the way things are always done in the field. Shots meant to set the scene are used in factual programming. This paper will, therefore, analyze the use of common codes in two programs and the similarity of the codes.
The BBC news at ten(09.06.2014) will be compared with the celebrity Big Brother show UK-2015 to assess the use of codes and conventions in the two programs. The reasons for the use of such codes and conventions and how they influence audience responses will also be analyzed.
These two programs though different, they use codes and conventions that are common. The two programs use conventions and both the symbolic and technical codes. However, there are certain elements of the two codes that are used in the presentation.
The two programs have a style of introducing the program which has been in place for a long time. All the programs prepare the audience of what is going to happen through the use of introductory remarks. Though the style is different, they all use the convention. In the celebrity show, the program is introduced with pomp and color while in the News the introduction is more orderly. The celebrity show follows the above the shoulder screen shot.
The two programs use symbolic codes. The setting is however different due to the nature of the programs. The news anchor seated behind a round table marks the setting of the BBC news. In the celebrity show the setting is less formal. The lady walks along the runway. The body language of the speaker in big brother shows informality. She jumps and down. She moves in the stage and uses gestures to a great extent. The body language in the News is collected. The lady shows little movement. This indicates objectivity thus inviting calmness from the audience. The lady in the celebrity show intends to work on the emotions of the audience and influence their thinking. The body language in the BBC news shows objectivity. The clothing used in the BBC news has less color and formal. For example, the anchor has worn a white jacket and a black dress. In the celebrity documentary all form of cloths from official to casual and even sleeping gear is used. The use of symbolic codes, in the celebrity show intends to make people worked up emotionally.
The color used in the two programs is different. The coloration in the BBC news is red with other black parts. This expresses a formal appearance. The audience, therefore, knows that the occasion demands seriousness. It provides the much needed objectivity in news anchoring. The news need to objective. Many colors influences the viewers to think that the news is less serious and, therefore, not worthy of viewing. The color, therefore, sets the theme. Less color invites seriousness from the audience. The colors used in the celebrity show are several. This communicates the casualness of the programs. The color theme used sets the theme for the program. In this regard, the two programs set the stage of the programs using color. It shows the audience that they need to be jovial.
Technical codes such as lighting are used in the programs. The lighting in the BBC news is subtle. Less light is used. However, the lighting used in the celebrity show is diverse with lights all over the place. The lights used put the audience into the mood. BBC news audience is made to be keen by the lighting. The lighting in the celebrity show shows that no keenness is required. Camera techniques are used in all the programs, their use is however limited in the BBC News. More camera techniques are used in the celebrity show with the camera showing two scenes at the same time. The camera shows the speaker and the participants at the same time.
Headlines as a form of a written code have only been used by the BBC news. The code has been displayed to aid the understanding of the audience. It makes the audience match what is written and what has been said. The celebrity show makes no use of the written codes at all.
The two use the Bill Nichols conventions different ways. Though they do not use the conventions in their entirety, several aspects of the convention are used. The BBC news uses the participatory convention. The people giving the documentary are seen by the audience as they give the information. It is unlike the voice of god approach where the person reporting news is not visible. This kind of reporting is used to demonstrate the truthfulness of the news anchored and it objectivity. The authenticity of the source of information is enhanced if the person giving the report is visible to the audience. It reinforces the news and makes it believable.
The show on Celebrity show uses the reflective convention. It borrows from fiction. It uses music to reinforce ideas. The audience is not given an opportunity to form independent opinions. The music and the tone of the voice of the speaker are intended to influence the response of the audience. This is lacking in the news where the speaker uses a consistent voice that is objective. The reflective convention used is intended to work on the emotions of the audience. It is supposed to shape the thinking of the audience and thus influencing their responses. The method sets the tone of the program. This makes the program different from the more formal News.
The show on big brother uses the poetic conventions to deliver the message to the audience. It is also a subjective convention as it uses the music among other things to influence the audience. For example, the tone used by the woman conducting the show is intended to work on the emotions and influence the audience.
Expository convention is used in the BBC News. There is something to be exposed. This has the way of influencing the audience to be keener in the process of news delivery. For example, in the documentary intends to expose intimidation in certain schools. This kind of style makes the audience keener. The audience would want to listen to information arising from the investigation.