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Analysing

moving
images
Adapted from:
Anstey, M. and Bull, G. (2003). The Literacy Labyrinth (2nd ed.)
A. Stelter, 2015

STEP 1
SCAN FOR FAMILIARISATION
1.

View the entire text and identify its purpose and the context in
which it would be viewed or used.

2.

Identify the genre and the genre-specific codes and conventions


that are represented or used (e.g., written screen summaries of
information in a news report, laugh track in comedy).

3.

Identify any aspects of the text that are culturally or socially


situated or require specific knowledge and experience in order to
make meaning.

4.

Review the text with the express purpose of noting the sequence
of scenes, major events or sections; in other words, what is
happening. This sequential map of scenes, major events or
sections can then be used to conduct the next stage of analysis.
Note: Sometimes it is easier to do this without sound.

STEP 2
FOCUS ON SCREEN CODES
1.

Revise the text without sound and, using the


sequential map, conduct a section of scene-by-scene
analysis to identify and note how the screen codes
(setting and props, costume, physique and movement)
are combined to represent the purpose and genre of
the moving images.

2.

Identify any metaphors, iconic signs or symbolic


representations that are present.

3.

Consider how specific sociocultural knowledge or


experience might influence meaning making of
the screen codes.

STEP 3
FOCUS ON AUDITORY CODES
1.

Review the text with sound, and note next to the


sequential map the auditory codes used (sound,
dialogue, non-verbal, music).

2.

Conduct a syntagmatic analysis (scene or section-bysection) and note how the auditory codes influence
your meaning making.

3.

Consider how specific sociocultural knowledge or


experience might influence meaning-making of the
auditory codes.

STEP 4
FOCUS ON TECHNICAL CODES
Review the text without sound and, using the sequential map,
conduct a section or scene-by-scene analysis to identify and note
how the following technical codes are combined to aid the screen
and auditory codes in their representation of the purpose and
genre of the audiovisual text:
point of view high, low, and eye-level angle, soft and hard
focus;
framing long, medium and close-up shots/views;
lighting soft, hard, glaring, subdued, bright, dull, spot,
backlight;
editing parallel cutting, speed-up, slow motion, inserts;
pacing
transition fade to black, fade to white, dissolves, subtitles

STEP 5
PARADIGMATIC ANALYSIS
Having conducted steps one to four, use the results of
these analyses to conduct a paradigmatic analysis in
which specific aspects of the moving images and
audiovisual texts are examined over time. The following
might be attempted:
how a character or plot develops;
how a particular point of view, attitude or ideology is
developed and conveyed

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