Unit 2

1. Theory- Meaning
Daniel Thompson

2. Snake
• Denotation
– A limbless, scaly, elongate reptile
• Connotation
– Devious, cold-hearted and untrustworthy

3. Flag
• Denotation
– a piece of cloth or similar material,
typically oblong or square, attachable by
one edge to a pole or rope and used as
the symbol or emblem of a country or
institution or as a decoration during
public festivities.
• Connotation
– A representative of the country’s values
and pride.

4. Gun
• Denotation
– a weapon incorporating a metal tube from
which bullets, shells, or other missiles are
propelled by explosive force, typically
making a characteristic loud, sharp noise.
• Connotation
– Danger, Death, Pain, War.

5. • Dark, misty colours to
represent the dark,
grittiness of the game.
• Comparison in size of the
soldiers/monsters. Shows
the scale of the battle and
gives an idea of how large
the game actually is.
• The humans wear brighter
colours to show that they’re
the ‘good guys’ of the battle.
In comparison, the monsters
wear grey, dull clothing which
represents the ill cause.
• The weapons used by the
monsters and giants look more
primal which gives us the
impression that they are not as
smart as our human ‘hero’ units.
• A sense of scale is given again
when we can see the amount of
soldiers and monsters there are
in the background both in the air
and on the ground.

6. • The line in the
middle of the poster
represents the
divide and
separation between
the Russian and
German armies.
• There are splodges of
blood on both sides to
show that both sides
had plenty of
bloodshed and
casualties during the
war.
• The army’s flag is behind
each soldier represents the
country they fight for
which gives us an idea of
where they are fighting
(the eastern front) and
which sides are playable.
• The background behind the
German soldier looks to be
destroyed and smoking which could
represent the way they pillaged
Russia and took the destructive
route whereas the Russian
background is both brighter and
less destroyed symbolising that
they are trying to defend their land
from the Germans.
• The yellow splodge
on the side of the
Russian soldier
appears to be
hiding a sniper that
is aiming towards
the German area
which could
symbolise the war
going on.

7. • From the uniform the
soldier is wearing and
the name of the
game, we can
summarise that the
story is set during
world war one in
France and on the
frontlines.
• The colour choice
in the whole
picture is rather
plain and similar
looking, creating
an apocalyptic,
wasteland feel –
just like
battlefields at that
time.
• The immediate vicinity of the soldier
and his dog is slightly brighter than
the surroundings of the battlefield.
This could symbolise the hope that
that particular cast of characters have
and what they represent. It shows
that they are there for the greater
good and with positive intentions.
• The fact that the soldier and
the dog are the only characters
in view in this picture could
symbolise that they are on
their own adventure (which in
the game is true) and have
their own aspirations and goals
to achieve unlike the common
‘goal’ of the rest of the soldiers.

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1
– Gives the image more tension and a sense of
importance to a bigger plot/story. It makes
the characters look more rushed and on task
and you get the feel that they have been set
a time limit or a goal to achieve as there is a
threat needed to be taken care of. A sense of
determination can be gathered from it too.
• Clip 2
– Gives us the image that the characters are in
a happier environment and aren’t necessarily
in a rushed or deadly/serious situation. The
music gives the image a triumphant look and
gives the impression that the threat or
negativity has been defeated.

9. Shining
The narrator is light and happy sounding. This
gives the overall first impression that the movie
is going to be positive. The makers have also cut
out any signs of negativity or things that viewers
would find alarming like in the original film.
They also have added positive music that would
usually be found in happy, light beat movies. The
creators kept in the more funny moments from
the original film which gave off a much more
family friendly and up beat feel.

10. Scary Mary
The creators have used music that could easily have
come straight from a typical horror film which gives
the first impression that the film is going to be at
least creepy. Accompanied by the fast transitions
between the shots – the whole vibe that is gained
from the video is creepiness and eeriness. The
speed of the transitions doesn’t give the viewer
time to ‘expect’ anything so there is space for the
creators to add a creepy image or part to jump
scare the viewer.

11. Stereotypes
Men
• All men enjoy working on cars
• Men are not nurses, they are
doctors
• Men do not do housework and they
are not responsible for taking care
of children
• Men play video games
• Men play sports
• Men are lazy and/or messy
• As husbands, men tell their wives
what to do
• Men do not cook, sew, or do crafts
Women
• Women don’t play sports
• Women are meant to be the damsel
in distress; never the hero
• Women don’t play sports
• Women do not play video games
• Women are supposed to be
submissive and do as they are told
• Women are not politicians
• Women are nurses, not doctors
• Women are not as strong as men

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class
• tailors and shirtmakers on
Savile Row, Jermyn St, and
Bond St.
• Eton, Winchester, and Harrow
schools
• hunting and shooting
• polo and steeplechase
• beagling and safaris
Working Class
• poor
• have-not
• needy
• lazy
• ignorant
• disempowered
• dirty
• unworthy
• welfare dependent
• powerless

13. Stereotypes
Old People
• They knit a lot.
• Old people are grouchy and
cantankerous
• Old people do not have feelings
• Old people are weak and
helpless
• Sickness and disability come
with old age
• Old people are boring and
forgetful
• Alzheimer’s disease is to be
expected with old age
Young People
• They wear chav
clothes
• They are lazy
• All play video
games
• Spots
• Fussy
• Fast food addicts
• They loiter and
don’t respect

14. Iconography- Western
• Tumbleweed
• Cowboys
• Indians
• Saloons
• Set between 1860-1910
• Whips
• Cactus

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
• Laser Guns
• Space
• Ships (space)
• Mech Suits
• Aliens
• Planets
• Super powers

16. Iconography- Fantasy
• Happy Ending
• Magic
• Unrealistic worlds
• Fairy Tales
• Monsters/Aliens
• Escapism
• Unusual sightings (Being-wise and
environmental)

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
a spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
• Linear Narrative Definition
Linear narratives present stories in a logical manner by telling what happens from
one point in time to the next without using flashbacks or flash-forwards and then
returning to the present.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
Citizen Kane by Orson Wells.
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
where events are portrayed, for example out of chronological order, including
flashback and flash forwards.
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
Pulp Fiction.

18. Clip Analysis
As the scene opens, you are greeted by the
notorious heavy breathing of Darth Vader who
seems to blend into the background until he turns
on his light saber. This, along with the dark theme
of that particular part of the video, gives us the
impression that there is evil approaching. The
character himself walks slow to show that he isn’t
fearful of anything in the area and shows us how
dangerous he is. The good characters get a brighter
background and they are made to look like they are
stronger.