Semiotics

Study of signs
Signs communicate info
Could be images, colours, sound, gestures, words, shapes etc. that connote info or ideas
All culturally dependent - therefore mean different things in different contexts

Eg:
In horror, sting instruments mean something is gonna happen, in romance its a sign of emotional intensity
Ie context, genre audience film specific
Eg a No Entry sign is bright red, which connotes danger


Anatomy of a Sign

Two parts:
Signifier - The form a sign takes (e.g. sound, images, words)
Signified - The idea or image the sigh suggests

Some sighs signify more than others - can have more than one meaning or is more open to interpretation.

Films also use signs via micro-elements (mise-en-scene, editing, sound, cinematography, performance)
Ie sunglasses on Neo signify mystery, importance, used to massively humanise people
Or In Scott Pilgrim vs The World the groups looks unique, small, grouped together in their weirdness

Film analysis can be tricky as you can see and hear many sighs at once

Denotation and Connotation

Denotation - Literal interpretation, simplest meaning
Connotation - Inferred meaning, what you read into the signs

Ie Disney logo connotations - mainly from our experience instead of an unbiased view

3 Step Film Analysis

1. Identify micro elements
E.g. shaking camera work, lighting from below

2. Explain what micro-elements suggest or signify
E.g. agents suits connote uniformity group, steady drum has military connotations

3. What effect does this have on the audience?
E.g. This tells the audience the character is not to be trusted

Another way to analyse a micro element is to imagine if it wasn't there, and what effect that would have on the audience.
If in doubt, take it out