Presentation about the theories of semiotics and examples of them being used on movie trailers.

2. Buscombe’s
 Buscombe said that “One genre is differentiated from another by the icon associated with it,
the physical objects or symbols”
 He believed that based on 4 categories a genre can be defined, these categories are;
− Location
− Appearance (clothing, hair, tattoos)
− Tools (Guns, cars, machines, computers)
− Miscellaneous (anything else)
Saussure
 He believes that the sign which is made up of a concept and a sound-image; the impression of
the sound of the word, is made up of the signified and the signifier.
− Signifier: the form which the sign takes; a word, colour or image (ie. The colour blue)
− Signified: The concept which it represents/meaning/associations that the sign refers to
(ie. Blue is often associated with sadness or the sea)
Neale & Ryan
 Created a triangle called the audience-producer-text triangle of dependency
 They stated that all 3 affected each other in some way for example, the producer will change
their texts to fit the audience needs/wants.

3.  The film Woman in black is a horror film. The horror genre aims to
create ‘negative emotional reactions’ from the audience by
including scenes with audience’s nightmares and fears.
 Elements often included in in the horror genre are; ghosts,
extraterrestrials, vampires, werewolves, demons, gore, torture,
vicious animals, monsters, zombies, psychopaths and serial killers.
 I used buscombe’s theory to analyse the trailer:
 Location - Nursery, marshland, big overgrown abandoned house, corridor,
houses, town, rain, mist and sea
 Appearance - Hats, dresses, suits, old fashioned, black
 Tools – Horse & cart and fire
 Misc – Toys, dolls, clown and old photos
 Technical Codes:
In the trailer many different shot types are used including establishing, close-up,
and extreme close-up, long shot, deep shot, over the shoulder, high angle, static
and birds eye view. At the start the trailer there is a sound of wind and then
throughout there is the sound of a high pitch music box in the background, the
voiceover of a small girl reciting poetry comes in around halfway through.
 Symbolic Codes:
There aren’t many symbolic codes in the trailer but there is repetitive showing of
old toys and dolls which emphasise the era and the setting of a nursery. These
objects are also often used in horror films so highlights the genre.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXXRS3Kghh4

4.  American ultra is an American action comedy film. This is a hybrid genre
combining comedy with action. An action film generally follows the
challenges which the main character faces. They normally include violence,
close combat and chases. A comedy emphasizes the humour of the main
character, typically directed to make the audience laugh by effects or the
characteristics of the character.
 I used buscombe’s theory to analyse the trailer:
 Location – Garage, house, lounge, sofa, petrol station, shop and police station
 Appearance – Long messy hair, casual clothes, long coat, sunglasses, tight bun,
army camo, suits, tattoos, cuts
 Tools – Van, helicopter, fire, knife, guns, police car, spoon, computers and
grenades
 Misc – Weed, phones, drawings, explosions and food
 Technical Codes;
The shots which appear in the trailer include a medium 2 shot, close up, long and
static, birds eye view and over the shoulder. The music which is used is very
upbeat and uses pop music which is well known. Explosions are also used.
 Symbolic Codes
Army clothing is often used which implies the setting is an army camp even
though it isn’t as obvious.
 Written Codes
Some text is used and the word play and puns create humour.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxVA2Sv97yc

5.  Iron man is a superhero film. They generally focus on the story of
one or more superheros, or a person who has superwoman
abilities compared to a normal person.
 I used buscombe’s theory to analyse the trailer:
Location – Mountains, desert, underground, cave, crowds, workshop
and the sky
Appearance – Army camo, suits, sunglasses, smart, tie and sweat
Tools – army trucks, guns, rocks, missiles, explosions, planes,
technology, cars, machines and tanks
Misc – Alcohol and poker
 Technical Codes:
Some of the shots used in the trailer include establishing, static, mid shot,
close up and over the shoulder. The music used in the background is often
orchestral rather than an actual song which creates tension from certain
instruments. Explosions and special effects such as flying are also used.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hYlB38asDY