lesson 6 - semiotics

Lesson Objective

• To understand 4 new key terms:

Denotation, Connotation,

Semiotics and Mise-en-scene

Write down words/phrases/ideas associated with it 1 minute

Draw a heart

Blood Pump Muscle Life

Red Emotions

Feeling Strength

Body Love

Centre Care

Organ Courage Bravery

Sincerity Determination

But what are we actually thinking about?

Denotation Connotation

Denotation and connotation

• Denotation is the everyday meaning of a sign e.g. a red rose is a garden plant

• Connotation is the associated meaning that it carries e.g. a red rose can symbolise love, England or pride.

Heart

DenotationsConnotations

Heart

Denotationse.g. muscleConnotations

Heart

Denotationse.g. muscleConnotationse.g. love

Heart

Denotationse.g. musclePumpBloodOrganBody

Connotationse.g. love

Heart

Denotationse.g. musclePumpBloodOrganBody

Connotationse.g. loveValentinesFeelingsRomanceSweet

Media Language KEY TERM: Semiotics

Definition: The study of SIGNS/CODES

• Examines how visual (inc written), audio and technical codes construct meaning

• Looks at how meaning is made and understood

Key Term

• Means “put in scene”• The idea is that everything is in the

scene for a reason.• This includes props, lighting, music,

setting, characters

Mise-en-scene

Pronunciation: mee-zon

sen

Mise- en-scene

Things to consider:

1) Setting and props used2) Costume and make-up used3) Actors – their expression and movement4) Lighting and colour5) The way objects and people are positioned.

1. Settings & Props• Settings & Locations play an important part in film-making

and are not just ‘backgrounds’

• Sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time is spent to find a setting which already exists

• Settings can manipulate an audience by building certain expectations and then taking a different turn

• What settings and props you would find in:1. A Science Fiction Film2. A Romantic Comedy3. A Horror Film

2. Costume, Hair & Make Up

• Costume, Hair & Make Up act as an instant indicator to us of a character’s personality, status & job

• It tells us immediately whether the film is set in the present and what society/or culture it will centre around

• Certain costumes can signify certain individuals (i.e. black cloak of a vampire, Spidey’s Spiderman suit)

3. Facial Expressions & Body Language

• Facial Expressions provide a clear indicator of how someone is feeling

• If someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy but we may get a different feeling if this is accompanied by scary music

• Body Language may also indicate how a character feels towards another character or may reflect the state of their relationship

• TASK: What meanings/emotions do the following images convey:

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

4. Positioning of Characters & Objects within a frame

• Positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important character/object

• A film-maker can use positioning to indicate relationships between people

• What does the positioning in the following images reveal about the characters/film:

IMAGE 1

IMAGE 2

IMAGE 4Image 3

Language and mode of address

• How does the text speak to the audience?• The language used gives clues to the

audience, genre and purpose• Language• Colloquial – chatty slang• Vocabulary – polysyllabic, technical jargon• Hyperbole - exaggerated

Mode of address

• Informal• Formal• Direct mode of address• Indirect mode of address