Key Terminology

After reading through this website (http://media-studies.tki.org.nz/Teaching-media-studies/Media-concepts), I feel I have a thorough understanding of these key terms:

1) Codes and Conventions

Codes are symbols which create meaning, they can be symbolic, which often presents feeling and emotion or technical codes, shown through the use of equipment to present the story in a specific way. Conventions, on the other hand, are the accepted ways of doing something, so within a genre it can have certain conventions what the audience would expect the film to conform too. 

2) Genre in film Genres are often used to categorize arts/literature's on their themes. For instance, on Netflix, a programme on the internet allowing you to watch films and TV series, covers nearly all types of genres, I've taken a screen grab to show the wide variety:

FACT: The word Genre is originated from a French word which means 'type' or 'class'

Certain genres are often associated with strong stereotypes or idealology which makes it easy to tell them apart. Tell tale signs of a genre are shown through technical and symbolic codes and typical narratives associated with the genre. The genre could be really obvious or it could be more subtle however by the end of the film, your likely to know. Audiences have certain expectations and stereotypes that they expect certain genres to live up too and some people have a preference of genres which helps attract a niche audience in film making, which means a small group of people with a specific, unique interest e.g I enjoy Crime Films, so might edge towards that genre when looking for a film to watch.

Despite this, genres may try and challenge or mix up certain aspects the genre to engage and pull in the audience, furthermore genre's are constantly developing over time which means new ideology's and audience expectations are created. As genres change they might develop sub genres, for instance a sub genre of horror might be action horror (Dawn of the Dead), body horror (Cabin Fever/ Teeth) or comedy horror, often known as spoofs (scary movie)!

3) Codes and conventions of a Horror

Horror films are designed to unsettle the viewer and make them afraid, they target hidden fears and maybe spur on and uncover new fears. 

A slideshare online, says these are the most typical fears reinforced by the horror genre:

After doing more research, I have been lead to believe these are the most popular fears followed in the narrative and they can be influenced majorly by these things below to enhance or exaggerate the storyline.

Locations often seem to be isolated and abandoned to create eerie atmospheres and spookiness, props are often weapons. They often also quite closely follow Propps character types in horror narratives, including having; the villan, the helper, the dispatcher, the princess or 'prize', a false hero, the hero, the doner and the father. 

4) Idealology

An ideology is thought to be the accepted beliefs and values which an individual/group/society believes to be true; there often shared beliefs.

Dominant ideology's are often beliefs and values which are so accepted and we don't question them. Often referred to as natural common sense. Media texts almost always reflect certain ideology's.