The document discusses various concepts related to analyzing meaning in films and other media. It provides examples of how denotation and connotation can differ for symbols like snakes, flags, and guns. It also analyzes posters for different movie genres and how visual elements and color convey meaning. Soundtracks are examined for how they can suggest genres like horror or romance. Editing techniques are discussed for how they can change the perceived genre of a work, like making a horror film seem more family friendly. Common stereotypes for gender, class, and age are outlined. Iconography for genres like western, science fiction, and fantasy are defined. The concepts of linear and non-linear narratives are defined and films are used as examples. Finally,

1. Meaning
Theory
Kodi Hobbs

2. Snake
• Denotation – it’s a snake, a
cold blooded reptile.
• Connotation – But a snake may
be represented as being sly, evil,
dangerous or even untrustworthy.

3. Flag
• Denotation – it’s a piece of
cloth or fabric that can show
symbols and also be used for
public festivities.
• Connotation – a flag is a
representation of a country
therefore could connote pride,
respect, importance.

4. Gun
• Denotation – it’s a weapon
made from metal.
• Connotation – war, criminals,
death, murder, gangs, army soldiers.

5. Poster Analysis 1
MEANING – the use of the explosions could mean war and
destruction, destruction of the piece in humanity, the
soldiers running could mean loss of hope because there not
able to stand their ground making the viewer feel very
heartfelt at the conditions and area there in.
The main man in the middle of this poster gives of a very
strong masculine vibe which could mean he might be the
main focus.
Its used very dull bland colours to make the viewers
understand that this film isn’t a happy film, but the
complete opposite, pain and death.
The setting is in a war ground which tells me this film is a
re-enactment of a previous war and a big clue of this would
be the date. The date also has bright colours rising from the
bottom which could mean that aside from all the death and
destruction this could include a happy ending.

6. Poster Analysis 2
MEANING – we can instantly tell that this is an animated
fantasy film mainly aimed at children. I know this because of
the bright orange creature, this is quite an inviting, joyful colour
making this very child like. Yellow, its very cheerful and creative,
Put along side orange just amplifies the whole child like
atmosphere. The fonts used for the title look uneven and
playful but there white simplifying innocence, purity and safety
making this more appealing to the younger audience.

7. Poster Analysis 3
MEANING – with this poster including men tells me that the
film is strongly based around the male characters instead of
the women that may be included.
The vibrant background suggests to me that it’s a happy,
fun family friendly film set in a waterpark, which might
interest the younger audience who view this but also the
fact the main leads, five fully grown adults don’t look
serious but instead they look happy and excited which
could potentially lead to a more comical story line.
With horror film they tend to use dimed lighting or
coloured lights (mainly red) in the complete darkness giving
off a creepy eerie vibe, where as this film is the complete
opposite, its used bright lights and fun bright colours.

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1 – The first clip gave of an uneasy
feel, suggesting horror genre. This type of music
makes me feel suspense because it has that
action, fighting feel to it like a war is about to
happen. But then it also feels like these two
people in the picture have a professional
relationship, possibly planning against someone
and cause conflict maybe bloodshed.
• Clip 2 – The second clip however is
completely different it almost sounds like a
fantasy movie mixed with the romantic genre.
This suggests that these two people have some
sort of romantic connection between them both
and the music makes it sound like it’s the
beginning of love story for them, peaceful and
calming feel to it.

9. Shining
Typically known as a horror movie, the shinning, using editing, had been changed to make it feel
more family friendly.
The clip starts off with very upbeat music and a friendly voice as a voice over, this could make it
feel less of a horror and more maybe comedic or watchable for children. The effect of the
classical cheerful music, completely switches up the genre helping the viewer to think deeper
into the raw emotions of the main male lead. Which his emotions are strong as we can see in the
scene where he throws items at the walls indicating he's maybe violent and aggressive which still
ties in with the horror genre but in a less explicit way. It isn’t in your face horror, its more subtle
and less frequent in those scenes. The start setting isn’t dark or gloomy its more happy and
illuminate hiding the fact that this film includes death and psychotic behaviour which completely
throws the viewer off if they haven’t seen the film themselves. However the music changes when
the little boy is drawn to the mans door. The music slows down into a deeper more eerie kind of
melody adding suspense, that maybe the happy, bright start doesn’t last through out. The use of
colours throughout this clip are more subtle and neutral passing on a calm naturistic atmosphere
to the viewer.
Edited version
Original version

10. Scary Mary
Mary Poppins is Widley known for being a Disney film for children but this editor has put a twist onto it
and made it a horror genre instead of a fun family musical.
Straight away there are church bells in the back ground as well as a lone person walking In the cloudy
darkness, possibly signifying death and fear, because churches are known to be holy yet haunted and
creepy, put along side the darkness and fog just amplifies the creepiness. Added to that was Mary
herself singing, but what would usually be a calming peaceful song has been slowed down into quite an
eerie, creepy sound that overlaps the many harrowing clips. These clips have been edited to move
slower between layers which just makes it even worse because its like the editor is intentionally making
it longer to, one add to the suspense and two, leave you wondering when its going to end, almost
tormenting you. The use of the little phrases that have been added in-between clips makes it that much
more terrifying because there edited to move slower than usual creating suspense as to what's going to
pop up when the phrases come off screen.
Mary is known to be magic so when the editor put those clips in reverse makes it look like she's using
her magic for evil towards the kids instead of making them laugh and smile like how it is in the original
film.
The use of the dull, scary colours adds to the constant thrill of turning a Disney into a horror. It could
also indicate death and misery brought upon the family because there's no bright colours to indicate
some sort of hope or faith that they would make it out of this misery they look and seem to be in.
Edited version Original version

11. Stereotypes
• Cars
• Machinery
• Army
• Weapons
• More
confident
• Leadership
• Superiority
• Bags
• Magazines
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Makeup
• Helpers
• Inferior
• Can’t manage
• Support beam
• Strong and
independent
• Housewives
• overpowering
of men
men Women
• Stronger
male leads
• Powerful
• Intimidating
In real life some
women tend to be
perceived as
inferior and a
support for their
spouses but in
moves like wonder
woman you see a
more strong
independent
woman that over
powers the typical
strong male lead.
In real life men tend to
be more superior and
confident, sometimes
having quite an
intimidating approach
but in movies they
tend to be more
powerful and have
leadership role for
example the male
leads in action or
horror movies tend to
be more overpowering
than the women

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class Working Class
• Rich
• Well dressed
• Land owners
• Posh
• High end properties
• Can be snobby
• Arrogant
• Intellectual
• Home owners
• Jobs (Manuel labour)e.g –
builders
• Tend to live more rurally
• Cramped lifestyle
• Slang/abbreviations of
words
• Family resorts once a year
instead of multiple
luxurious holidays
An example of upper class could be
downtown abbey, they are well
dressed, well spoken and owns
probably all the land they live on.
Some can be arrogant but some
aren’t. they own high end
properties and could probably go on
holiday multiple times a year.
An example for working class could be
coronation street, there are nicely dressed
but don’t speak formally they tend to
speak in slang or abbreviate their words.
Normal jobs like marketing, salons,
restaurants etc. could only afford family
retreats instead of luxurious 5 star hotel
multiple times a year.

13. Stereotypes
Old People
• Ageism
• Complaining
• Care homes
• More traditional
• Simplistic life styles
• Retirement
• Era there born in
Young People
• Up and ready
• Energetic
• More materialistic
• More ego conscious
• Blamed – (media)
• Lookdown upon – (fashion
choices)
• Being consumer based –
buying things they don’t need
and consuming them.
Old people as they get older
tend to be more wiser and come
up with solutions that help save
items such as clothing, instead
of throwing them away and old
person might want to patch it up
and keep it. Because of the era
they are born in and not having
a lot of money or be able to buy
certain things or was never
really wealthy now they tend to
be more simplistic
Young adults are very energic and lively,
they tend to more materialistic because
of social media. Social media takes it
tole on kids when they get blamed for
most things that happen in the world,
they get looked down upon by most
adults and old people for how they
dress but young people now are
becoming more ego conscious and
taking responsibility for their actions a
lot.

14. Iconography- Western
Western
iconography:
• Cowboy hats
• Horse's
• Western town
• Saloon doors
• Desert
• Spurs
• Tumbleweed
• pistols

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
Sci –fi
iconography
• Robots
• Space
• Weapons
• Spaceships
• Aliens
• Sci – fi cities
(aliens, robots,
humans etc).

16. Iconography- Fantasy
Fantasy
iconography
• Mythical creatures
• 4 elements
• Werewolves
• Witches
• Vampires
• Magic
• Fantasy realms

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
A narrative is the product story line, the order of events whether
they be true or completely fictional or their way of explaining
what's going to happen.
• Linear Narrative Definition
this is the story lines order from beginning, middle and end.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
And example of linear narrative would be Disney films for e.g.
the lion king that has a beginning middle and end.

18. Narrative
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
Non – linear doesn’t have a particular order there's no beginning
middle or end that you would see in films or books.
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
An example of a non linear narrative would be 1994 film forest
Gump that uses many flash backs to recite his story to the
stranger sat next to him on the bench.

19. Clip Analysis
At the beginning of the clip we can hear marching music
which immediately gives of unsettling vibes that maybe there
could be danger involved or the capture of the good guys. The
dark lighting is dark to maybe signify that the bad guys are the
main focus for this section of the film, Darth Vadar being the
main one. The good guys clothing is shown as bright to not
only signify that they are the good guys but to let the
audience know that there could be a fight between good and
bad to settle unfinished business or past grudges. The
difference is lightsabres contrast with each other, good guys
blue light sabres signifying hope and serenity but also loyalty
to the light side. Where as the bad guys lightsabres are red
signifying danger, death and destruction.