This document defines and provides examples of key film theory terms including denotation vs connotation of symbols, iconography of different genres, stereotypes, linear vs non-linear narratives, and defines narrative and analyzes a film clip focusing on costume, dialogue, props, lighting, camerawork, editing, music and color. It uses snakes, flags, guns and film posters as examples to illustrate denotation and connotation and draws on western, sci-fi and fantasy genres for discussions of iconography.

1. Theory- Meaning
Leticia Pozze

2. Snake
• Denotation
– It’s a long limbless reptile
which has no eyelids, short
tail, and jaws that are
capable of considerable
extension.
• Connotation
– Treachery, evil and
betrayal.

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 decoration
during public festivities.
• Connotation
– Been proud of your country
– All the countries of the UK
coming together in one flag.

4. Gun
• Denotation
– A metal object that is able to
harm people/things.
– 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
– Violence, death, police.

5. Has a list of
the mains
characters.
The location of
this film is
multiple places,
in the poster
the background
looks a war,
lots of
destructions in
the floor.
In this poster
has the name
of the film, the
group is the
avengers. The
font catch the
attention of
the public
using a large
size of font.
Has all the
avengers
heroes on the
poster.Tony Stark has
lots influence
on this movie,
he’s probably
one of the most
important on
this film. This is
shown by his
position on this
poster, he his
on the front of
the others
heroes.

6. The lighting
changes in
all film,
sometimes
is bright
and change
to darkness
when is
night.
In this poster
shows some
characters but
the main
character is
Thomas
starring by
Dylan O’Brien.
The way the
image was
take, Dylan is
the main
character on
this film.
The colours is
quite dark in
part of this
poster and the
other part is
bright. On the
bright part we
can see the big
maze.

7. This film is
starring Emma
Watson, she is a
famous
celebrity and
she is also in
Harry Potter
movies.
Has a place of
the castle in the
background, the
public can see
where they are.
They are
wearing royal
costume. So
automatically
the public
know this is a
fantasy film
and also has
some mystical
creatures in
this film.
The logo is quite
delicate, that
show is a
princess film.
In the front of
this poster has
Bella and the
beast, they are
the main
characters of
this movie.
The lighting in
the background
it is quite dark
with light
coming from the
candles.

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1
– Action film
– Something going to happen
• Clip 2
– Disney films.
– Princess films
– Drama/ Romance films

9. Shining
• To change the genre of this film, they put
others soundtrack on the back. Collect
different scene from the movie and make the
trailer appear as if it is a romantic comedy
film. In this trailer there is a lots of cutting to
make a horror film changes to romance and
also the sounds in the back is quite happy.

10. Scary Mary
• In this trailer they put some suspense
soundtrack on the background and a scary
woman singing, with that they make this
trailer looks like a horror film. Lots of cutting
and happy sounds has been changed to scary.

11. Stereotypes
Men
– Like to watch action
films.
– Could like sport or
hard jobs.
– Has lots interesting in
cars.
Women
– The woman could be
more careful, obsess
with beauty stuff.
– Clean the house, be
at home with their
children.

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class
– Like to wear
expensive cloths.
– Has a good job,
salary, cars, etc.
– Businessman/woman
Working Class
– They play rent
– Have a room mates
– Has a hard work

13. Stereotypes
Old People
– Securely employed
– Parents
– Organised
– Hard of hearing
– Bingo
– Mentally Slow
Young People
– Working for low
wages
– Independent
– Going out on Friday.
– Graduate students
– Drinkers, smokers.
– Lack of enthusiasm.

14. Iconography- Western
– Desert
– Country
– Old
– Saloon
– Cactus
– Sheriff
– Cowboys
– Tumbleweeds.

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
– Space
– Spaceship
– Astronaut
– Scientific
– Alien

16. Iconography- Fantasy
– Castle
– Prince and Princess
– Dragons
– Witch
– Hero
– Crystal ball
– Magic wand
– Good guy vs bad guy.

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
– A story or account of events, either true or fictitious. It is a story that includes
plot, characters, setting, climax and resolution.
• Linear Narrative Definition
– It 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. Narrative where time is presented in order.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
– Christopher Nolan’s films, few have a linear narrative, except “The Dark
Knight”.
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
– It is a narrative where time is not presented in order to communicate desired
effects.
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
– The Dark Knight, Batman Begins tends to follow a non-linear narrative because
start with a flashback.

18. Clip Analysis
– Costume: Those costumes the group wearing was to protect them from the
bad people. The another group was using mask to cover them identity.
– Dialogue: Ezra and Kanan was having a conversation after the fight discussing
who is this guy that they have just fought. That Darth Vader was stronger than
them.
– Props: They used lightsabres, bombs, guns and mask.
– Lighting: Dark in one side and light in the another, the first impression that we
get from see that is the Darth Vader is obviously the bad guy.
– Camerawork: In the beginning there was a zooming on the Darth Vader
coming to fight with the good people. Has lots of angles when the fight start
and when the lightsabres moves.
– Editing: When Ezra was almost killed by Darth Vader, the editor cutting and
put the frame when the Kanan stop Darth Vader.
– Music: In the background has lots of sound effects when they start to fight,
the lightsabres sounds, the shots and the action soundtrack.
– Colour: In the bad guys there is black, white and red and pastel colours on the
good people. On the background, there is lots of dark colours.