This document discusses various theory-related media concepts including denotation versus connotation of symbols like snakes, flags, and guns. It also analyzes how costumes, lighting, positioning of characters, and backgrounds can connote meanings in images. Soundtracks are discussed as conveying horror or love depending on the music. Editing and music are described as altering the perceived genre of films. Common stereotypes associated with gender, class, age, and other groups are outlined. Iconography of Western, sci-fi, and fantasy genres includes weapons, vehicles, and other symbols. Narrative structures like linear and non-linear stories are defined. Finally, a clip is analyzed in terms of costumes, music, lighting, weapons, and

1. Theory- Meaning
Your Name

2. Snake
• Denotation - Scaly reptile
• Connotation – devious,
untrustworthy

3. Flag
• Denotation – union Jack
• Connotation – pride,
nationality, ownership

4. Gun
• Denotation - weapon
• Connotation – death,
power, safety, protection,
semiotic.

5. Wearing suit, shows
importance.
Lighting is bright, this
shows he could be a good
character.
The way he is stood
makes him look like a
leader and makes him
look powerful.
The background shows
people enjoying
themselves and having
fun and Leonardo
Dicaprio’s facial
expression looks proud,
he could be the reason
why they are having fun.

6. The way they are
dressed connotes
their aim is to scare
people.
The lighting gives
you the idea that
they are villains.
Some of them have
weapons, this
connotes that they
want to inflict
danger on people
or it could be for
protection.
They are wearing
masks, so they
can keep their
faces hidden.

7. The way they are
stood shows that
they are hero’s
and have powers.
They are colourful
this shows that
they are good.
Background looks
dark, this shows that
the hero’s fight the
villains which destroys
the environment
around them.
The way they are
stood and their
facial expressions
show that some
characters in this
photo are more evil
than others.
Some of the hero’s in this
image have weapons, this
shows that they are
involved in violence.

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1
– This music gives the image of horror. This music
connotes that something bad is about to
happen, and is intense.
• Clip 2
– This music gives the image of love. This music
would be used in a love film when something
happy is about to happen (kiss etc.)

9. Shining
The editing and music made the ‘shining’ seem like more of a family film than a horror film. They
have edited out the horror parts of the film and just used the good parts, with a voice over that
has a happy tone to it rather than scary.

10. Scary Mary
The music makes the trailer seem intense and makes you think something bad is going to happen.
The editing makes it look like ‘Mary’ is insane, and she is trying to kill the children as it shows
them running at the end, and it says ‘hide your children’.

11. Stereotypes
Men
• Stronger
• Liars
• Usually the bad guy
Women
• Weak
• Bad drivers
• gossip

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class
• Drive expensive cars
• Big houses
• Important people
• Love themselves
Working Class
• Drive average cars
• Own a house with a mortgage
• Work all day
• Builder

13. Stereotypes
Old People
• Slow walkers
• Complain
• Wrinkly
Young People
• Energetic
• Immature
• hyper

14. Iconography- Western
• Weapons
• Cowboys
• Sheriff
• Sand
• Alcohol
• horses

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
• Spaceships
• Planets
• Aliens
• Futuristic cars
• Hover boards

16. Iconography- Fantasy
• Dragons
• Hero
• Crystal ball
• Magic wand
• Good guy vs bad guy

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
– A Narrative is a story that you write or tell someone, usually in detail.
• Linear Narrative Definition
– A linear narrative starts a story at the beginning , goes on through the middle and ends
at the end.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
– Toy story
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
– A story told in non chronological order, this can be as simple as the use of flashbacks or
time travel.
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
– Reservoir dogs

18. Clip Analysis
• Some people are dressed casually and some people are dressed in suits and expensive
clothes. The characters that are wearing the expensive clothes give you the impression that
they are more important than the other characters, because of the way they are presented
and the way they speak. The music is for building tension and they increase the volume when
something major suddenly happens. The lighting is the same all the way through the clip so it
fits with the barn environment. The man at the end has the biggest gun which was intended
to use for violence to harm or kill the women. The other people who had weapons were used
for safety to protect themselves and the women who was being threatened, this shows the
people who were the protecting the women are the good guys and the man who was
threatening her is evil.