Semiotic analysis of DVD covers and film posters

1. SEMIOTIC ANALYIS OF
OFFICIAL DVD COVER

2. The word ‘ C O N F L I CT E D’ in the title,
means to be incompatible or at variance;
clash.The title therefore suggests to the
audience that the film will potentially feature
a male and female protagonist, whom are
conflicted for one reason or the other.
The use of the red font, in the title
‘ C O N F L I CT E D’ suggests danger, death
and blood, as the color red, traditionally
holds these connotations.
The image of eyes, suggests to the audience,
that there is an element of secrecy/ spying/
lack of trust, within the film, as the eyes gaze
into the cameras lens, thus engaging the
audience with the DVD cover.
The use of the red eyes, imply that there is a
potential element of revenge, amongst
characters within the film.
The use of the tagline ‘KeepYour Friends Close &Your Enemies Closer’ suggest to the
audience that there is an element of conflict/ disagreement.

3. There use of a black and red color pallet,
suggests a sense of ambiguity, as the
audience are unaware about what the
conflict is about.
The main image, consisting of a male and
female protagonist, suggest to the audience,
that the ‘C O N F L I CT’ resonates between
the pair.
The use of body language among the male
and female protagonist, infers argument,
disagreement and conflict.
The critical ratings, give insight to the
audience, about what is to be expected.

4. The use of iconography; the Big Ben and the
London bus, reveal to the audience, the
location in which the film is set; London.
The use of the image of the male protagonist
having his back to the female protagonist,
reveal to the audience, that the female
protagonist has somehow come into conflict
with him.
The use of red potential text, highlights the
genre of the film; Drama.

5. The use of the red font on the title ‘C O N F L I
CT E D’ implies to the audience, that the DVD
film has aspects of potential revenge, death
and blood, which connotes battle.
There is a juxtaposition between the image of
the feather, and the color red.Whilst a
feather symbolizes peace, and is a clear
indicator of nature, the color red, directly
juxtaposes this image, as the color red, has
connotations of danger.
The use of the red and black color pallet,
engages the audience with the poster, as it is
apparent that these colors are dark, thus
indicate to the audience, that there is
potential danger to come/ sense of
foreshadowing.
The tagline; ‘Keep your friends close and your
enemies closer’ creates a sense of suspense,
as it indicates to the audience, the genre of
the film; Drama.
The use of caption ‘Coming Soon…’ informs
the audience about the fact that the film is
yet to be released.

6. The ancillary text is evidently written in the
French language, informing the audience,
that the film is also targeted towards the
French market.
The main image, of two arms pulling a rope,
is seen to correlate with the title, and this
informs the audience about what the film is
to be about.
The black and red color pallet suggests to the
audience, that the film is based around
themes of danger etc.
The tagline, engages the audience with the
film poster, as it creates a sense of suspense,
as to what is to happen in the future.
The use of the age rating, informs the
audience, to whom this film is to be
marketed/ aimed towards.
The ‘Arrive bientot’ caption informs the
audience about the film release.

7. SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF DVD
COVERS

8. The main image consists, of a
character whom appears to be the
‘AVATAR’. Along with this is the age
rating of 12 yrs., highlighting whom
the film is targeted to.
Half of the protagonists face appears
to be revealed, creating a sense of
ambiguity amongst the audience, to
whom the character is, and whether
they are a male or female
protagonist.
The title itself, ‘AVATAR’ is written in
a bold font, along side a light blue
color pallet, hinting to a theme of
the supernatural and potential
adventure.
There is an element of the gaze,
which evidently engages the
audience with the film.
Within the main image, only half an eye is seen to
be evident, along with a green color pallet, which
thus engages the audience with the film DVD
cover.
There is no evident tagline apparent on the DVD
cover, creating a sense of ambiguity, amongst
the audience.
The main image has connotations of adventure
and ambiguity, as the audience are positioned to
not entirely understand whom the character
actually is.

9. The title itself ‘ A SY L U M’ has connotations of
awareness, as an asylum is commonly known as an
institution which takes care of those considered
mentally ill.This means that there is a sense f danger
and potential paranoia.
The title itself is written in a red font, indicating a
sense of danger, amongst the audience. It could be
potentially foreshadowing what is to happen.
The main image itself, appears
to be a woman, whom appears
completely white.The color
white itself, symbolizes peace,
and purity, however this is
juxtaposed against the title, ‘ A
SY L U M’
There is an age rating of 18,
indicating to whom the film is
targeted to.
The back cover features an
image of a covered female
figure, walking up a flight of
stairs. Below the stairs, there is
an image of a person laying
below, creating a shadow /
mirroring effect. It potentially,
creates a sense of
foreshadowing, of a potential
death.

10. The main image consists of a
male and female protagonist.The
male protagonist, is evidently
smartly dressed, whilst the
female protagonist is dressed
elegantly.This hints to the
audience that the protagonists,
have high profiled jobs, and thus
are well established characters.
The main background picture,
appears to be a skull.This perhaps
hints to a death, thus
foreshadowing future events.
The main male protagonist
‘ James Bond’ is revealed to be
holding a gun in his right hand,
which indicates to the audience,
that the spy has a moral duty to
carry out a task, and implies he is
to shoot someone/ target.
The well
established tagline
‘007’ is used to
engage the
audiences
attention with the
DVD cover itself.
The back cover consists of a
number of images of the man
himself, James Bond. James Bond
is seen to evidently be wearing
glasses alongside a full black
outfit, indicating to the audience,
that he himself is in fact a spy.
The gaze, is evident within the DVD cover, engaging the
audiences attention towards the cover, and the
characters themselves.

11. SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF FILM
POSTERS

12. The title is in a black and
white color scheme.This
evidently correlates with
the background color being
black and white.
The title is presented in
bold capital letters,
engaging the audience
with the film poster.
The main image consists
of a black male who
appears to be restrained
within a chair, as he looks
up in horror.This
indicates the films genre
to the audience.
The black and white color
pallet creates a vintage
feel, for the audience,
suggesting the theme/
topic matter may be in
fact historical.
The main title is written
in a white and black font,
to capture the audiences
attention, from the
overall DVD cover. It can
be read as ambiguous, as
it is not entirely evident
about what the DVD
cover is about.
The main protagonist is a
black male, and this
enables the audience o
identify themselves
within the DVD cover.

13. Use of the tagline;
‘DON’T ANSWERTHE
PHONE. DON’T OPEN
THE DOOR. DON’TTRY
TO ESCAPE’ indicates
to the audience, the
genre of the film;
horror.
There is a juxtaposition
within the color pallet
of the film poster, as
white connotes purity,
innocence and peace,
whilst the color red
suggests danger,
warning and blood.
The main title of the
film poster is presented
in the color red,
suggesting a threat/
danger, whilst the word
itself ‘SCREAM’ informs
the audience that the
main protagonist is
perhaps scared, or
fearful for their safety.
The main image
portrays a female
protagonist, who
appears to be covering
her mouth, with the use
of her hand. Her eyes
appear extremely wide,
alongside her mouth
which appears dropped
open, suggesting she is
fearful/ scared.
A caption is presented on the right hand side of the main
image, which reads; ‘Scream is a Scream!’The use of the
exclamation mark draws the audiences attention towards the
narrative/ story behind this film poster.

14. The main title of the film
poster, is ‘LEON’ which is
followed by the caption,
‘THE PROFESSIONAL’.
Both of these are written in
a bold font, alongside a
black/ greyish color
scheme.The main title can
be interpreted as
ambiguous, as it not
entirely clear to whom
‘LEON’ is referenced,
although it could
potentially be referring to
the male protagonist on the
main poster.
The main background color is white, and
this is done intentionally to draw the
audiences attention towards the main
image of the male and female characters
presented on the front.The color white
however does also connote peace, purity
and innocence.
The main image consists of
a male protagonist who
appears to be at ease, as he
looks into the distance,
whilst the female
protagonist appears
somewhat frightened as
she looks up, almost
tearfully.This captures the
audiences attention, and
alerts the audience about
what the narrative may be
about.
At the bottom right hand of the film poster,
appears to be the male and female protagonist
yet again, with the male holding what appears
to be a box of possibly machinery, whilst the
female protagonist follows behind, whilst
holding a plant plot. It is suggested that it is the
male protagonist, who is in control.