Theory- Meaning

Will Stewart

Snake

• Denotation– A limbless, scaly, elongate reptile.

• Connotation– Devious, cold-hearted and untrustworthy

(an effect of the tale of the Garden of Eden).

Flag

• Denotation– A rectangle-cut piece of coloured fabric,

with red, white and blue as the primary, secondary and tertiary colours respectively.

• Connotation– Anything related to England, due to being

internationally recognised as one of England’s central motifs.

Gun

• Denotation– A weapon made out of metal that functions

by ejecting a bullet from the barrel at a high speed.

• Connotation– Associated with danger, intensity, violence,

crime and law enforcement, and the imminent possibility of injury or death.

Ruined street suggests apocalyptic, warlike or otherwise combative environment.

Dust clouds from destroyed structures indicate a chaotic and damaging series of events.

Movie’s tagline outright states that combat is involved somehow.

The giant mecha at the centrepiece of the poster conveys connotations of combat, war, destruction and chaos, based on what mecha have previously been used in. Commonly used as weapons by the characters, the movie has already established that it is most likely a war film, against other humans or something more otherworldly, however, being completely uncertain.

Fantastical elements such as the horns and mythical creatures in the background clearly state the film’s genre as fantasy.

The main character is developed through the poster by carefully contrasting her dark and ethereal person with the light and airy background.

The display of the creatures makes evident the film’s use of CG in it’s production.

The way the actresses are dressed directly appeals to their target audience, young teenage girls pondering the same subjects in the movie’s tagline.

The movie’s overall aesthetic focuses on appealing to the target audience, meticulously replicating and designing brands and clothing lines that Eighties teenage girls like.

The bright colours, focus on fashion, high school and sexual themes, as well as the ‘clueless’ disposition of the protagonist all mimic elements of typical teenage life. This devotion to realistically replicating real life is part of what makes Clueless a classic, encapsulating the best and worst parts of 1980’s high school.

Soundtrack

• Clip 1– A dramatic series of horn calls, denoting a

shocking revelation and incoming drama or action.

• Clip 2– Light and airy piano music, forewarning

the audience of an emotional scene between the two characters, possibly romantic in nature.

Shining• By reworking a classic horror/thriller movie into what appears to be a romantic

comedy, several techniques have been used. The light, airy music associated with romance is played throughout the trailer, and the premise that the narrator lays out in the trailer emphasises emotional connections. This is at a sharp contrast to the actual movie, where the visceral terror of being hunted by a murderously deranged maniac is the main plotline. The maker of the trailer has managed to construct the false plot by taking scenes that could be seen as emotionally prevalent, and editing the trailer so that these scenes line up to create what could be seen as a romantic comedy. Upbeat music is present throughout the entire trailer, creating a light and uplifting atmosphere that once again encapsulates the romantic comedy vibe.

Scary Mary• The repurposing of ‘Mary Poppins’ into a horror film, is accomplished using several

commonplace techniques. The ominous singing and high-pitched violin chords convey a sense of impending doom and danger, the way they increase in volume as the trailer goes on creating the effect of something creeping up on you. The chaotic imagery of stormy weather and telekinetically manipulated objects, juxtaposed with the eerie imagery of the thick fog and dark skies, represents both the overt and subtle effects of fear within the horror genre. The regularly used reaction shots within the trailer, most commonly of panic, shock or fear, are placed close within range of each other to hammer home the supposedly shocking nature of the plot. The glowing lines of text at the beginning and ending of trailer are also rather classic horror trailer techniques, used to emphasize the eeriness and ominous atmosphere.

Stereotypes

Men• Force. (Neutral)• Protectiveness. (Positive)• Physical Labour. (Neutral)• Forcefulness. (Negative)• Danger. (Neutral)• Action. (Neutral)• Animal magnetism. (Neutral)• Stupidity. (Negative)• Insensitivity. (Neutral)• Impulsiveness. (Negative)• Guiding. (Neutral)

Women• Beauty. (Neutral)• Spirit. (Positive)• Detail-oriented. (Positive)• Selfishness. (Negative)• Materialism. (Negative)• Emotional. (Neutral)• Mystery. (Neutral)• Manipulation. (Negative)• Wit. (Positive)• Frailty. (Negative)• Flighty. (Negative)

Stereotypes

Upper Class• Rich. (Neutral)• Self-absorbed. (Negative)• Wilfully Ignorant. (Negative)• Calculating. (Neutral)• Elegant. (Positive)• Tasteful. (Positive)• Oppressive. (Negative)• Well-Connected. (Neutral)• Decadent. (Negative)• Condescending. (Negative)• Untrustworthy. (Negative)

Working Class• Downtrodden. (Negative)• Bedraggled. (Negative)• Passionate. (Positive)• Pragmatic. (Positive)• Rowdy. (Neutral)• Intellectually Inferior. (Negative)• Easily Provoked. (Negative)• Diseased. (Negative)• Rough. (Neutral)• Tightly-knit. (Positive)• Unenlightened. (Negative)

Stereotypes

Old People• Traditionalist. (Neutral)• Cranky. (Negative)• Nurturing. (Positive)• Offensive. (Negative)• Mentally Incoherent. (Neutral)• Slow. (Neutral)• Wise. (Positive)• Unaccepting. (Negative)

Young People• Reckless. (Negative)• Spirited. (Positive)• Vigorous. (Positive)• Rude. (Negative)• Stupid. (Negative)• Apathetic. (Negative)• Selfish. (Negative)• Ignorant. (Neutral)

Iconography- Western• Wild West.• Cowboys.• Outlaws.• Arid environment.• Saloons.• Horses.• Guns.• Alcohol.• Prostitution.• Dirt.

Iconography- Sci-Fi• Starships.• Space.• Cybernetics.• Artificial Intelligence.• Aliens.• Biological Modification.• Genetic Manipulation.• Advanced Technology.

Iconography- Fantasy• Mysticism.• Mythology.• Swords & Sorcery.• Alternative Government.• Low-End Technology.

Narrative

• Narrative Definition– A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

• Linear Narrative Definition– Events follow a chronological or otherwise ordered structure.

• Linear Narrative Film Example– Ghostbusters 2016.

• Non-Linear Narrative Definition– Events are disjointed and arranged without respect for time or order.

• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example– Inception.

Clip Analysis• This clip is primarily notable for including Darth Vader, one of the most iconic

characters in the entire Star Wars franchise. The scene is covered singularly by shadows, emphasizing Vader’s intensely villainous reputation, shadows denoting fear, malice and evil. During the fight scene, Kanan and Ezra’s movements are shown to be forceful and rushed, while Vader’s are swift, precise ad somewhat languid, barely showing any effort or exhaustion as he repels their attacks without even breaking a sweat (that we can see). The gap between the three is emphasised even more when Vader is seemingly crushed by a group of ‘walkers’, large droids taller than a house, and lifts them off himself using the force with nary a scratch. The rebels’ hasty exit immediately afterwards truly signifies how out of their league they were, barely holding a candle to Vader’s practiced, experienced and skilled knowledge of his own capabilities, as opposed to Kanan and Ezra’s much less learned, apprentice-level mastery of their own Jedi abilities.