This document discusses various concepts related to film analysis including: 1) It defines denotation and connotation and provides examples for words like "snake", "flag", and "gun". 2) It analyzes movie posters, noting symbolism and clues about plots. 3) It examines film clips, discussing musical cues, transitions, and how they shape audience expectations. 4) It explores stereotypes, iconography in different genres, and definitions of linear and non-linear narratives. 5) One clip is analyzed in-depth, with comments on camera angles, lighting, costumes, and how they portray characters.

1. Theory- Meaning
Jacob Lindley

2. Snake
• Denotation
– A long smooth reptile
• Connotation
• A form of the devil

3. Flag
• Denotation
– A way to identify the
nationality of a person or a
way to identify a clump of
land owned by someone.
• Connotation
• Patriotism and pride in
something you believe in.

4. Gun
• Denotation
– A weapon that fires a small
calibre of ammunition that
can cause great pain and
death.
• Connotation
– A symbol of violence and
possibly freedom, coming
fro America

5. In this poster it has two sides one in black and one in white, this
shows contrast towards there being two sides, meaning that there
is an attack and a defense. You could take the black and white for
being good or bad guys like the black is bad and the white is good
but I think it means that they are neutral until you play and then
you will be able to decide for yourself.
The use of props helps because it shows that at (1) He is placing a
defense to bunker down and that he is preparing for a attack.
Then at (2) you can see the first attack with a shield bursting
through a wall charging towards the ‘enemy’. The shield would
give away that he is an attacker because police forces around the
world use bullet proof shields to protect them self's.
(1)
(2)

6. This movie poster showing The
Firm(2009) is bright and striking
depicting the one coloured tracksuits of
the 80s were mostly worn by football
hooligans to make them stand out, which
is why I think they singled out the colour
of them.
It also shows them holding weapons
sharp and blunt showing that they mean
business since they are a firm, and in
English slang that’s a gang or a business
company, and since they are carrying
knifes and bats its safe to assume that
they are a gang type firm.
Also another key way that he poster is
set out is its in a triangle or a formation,
meaning it shows who is important the
the least or who is more relevant to least
relevant.

7. I this movie poster you can see Gary
Oldman edited into code assuming that it
could tell us that this film is about
information, and looking on his right eye
you can see the words (1)“the enemy is
within” this suggests to me that there could
be a mole or a spy that plays a role in this
film, plus if you see on his right shoulder it
say winter in red and this could mean the
USSR because red symbolizes danger which
is a problem and also Communism in the
east and winter because its cold and snowy
in that area.(2)
With the chess piece it could mean that it is
a pawn in a bigger game or since it is over
Colin Firth that could be a hint to him being
the spy.(3)
(1)
(2)
(3)

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1
• The genre that the music was taken
from would be a sci-fi horror or thriller
because of the big bass at the start an
then a long slow build up with a sharp
tight noise.
• It could suggest that something bad is
about to happen to the characters
• Clip 2
• This music that is played is a happy
joyful Disney esc sound track,
• It could suggest that they are both in
love and that they might go and lean
in more to kiss.

9. Shining
• With the sharp quick snappy transitions with
the short clips from film plus the joyful music
makes the viewer believe that the trailer for
the film is going to be a romantic comedy,
nothing but a horror film.

10. Scary Mary
• In the trailer you see slow fading transitions
with text in between hinting at things that
could come in the film, also the witch like
voice give off a scary feeling towards the
viewer adding in a bell tower chiming then
gives a edge plus a beat for the transitions.

11. Stereotypes
Men
• Lazy
• Lads
• Labour-intensive jobs
• Strong
• Men are better at
navigating
• Men play sports
• Men play video games
Women
• Obsessive shopping
• Stay at home mum
• Women are nurses,
not doctors
• Women do not play
video games
• Women are never in
charge

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class
• Posh
• Earning over 50k a
year
• Big house, many
rooms
• Could have a grounds
keeper.
Working Class
• Labouring jobs
• On the doll
• Council housing
• Might not live in a
decent
neighbourhood

13. Stereotypes
Old People
• Dressing smart
• Walk slow
• Go to town markets
• Go on bus trips
around the country
• Working mens clubs
Young People
• Baggy clothing
• Hang around in town
in groups
• Anti-social behaviour

14. Iconography- Western
• Icons for the Western genre of films includes
ten gallon hats, spurs, horses, saloons, guns,
jails, and the badge of the sheriff also the odd
bandit.

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
• High-tech gadgets, flying cars, giant hologram
billboards, cybernetics in the arms or eyes,
time travel, robots that look human like,
futuristic hand guns or just weapons in
general.

16. Iconography- Fantasy
• Flying dragons, large scale battles in sword to
spear combat, wizards with magic, elves,
dwarfs and orcs, knights, fair maidens, taking
animals also one all mighty power that all are
looking for.

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
– a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or
fictitious.
• Linear Narrative Definition
– Linear narrative is a story line, which is shown in chronological order.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
• Zulu
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
– Non-Linear narrative is a story line, which isn't shown in chronological
order.
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
– Dead mans shoes

18. Clip Analysis
• At the start of the clip you see a black mysterious hallway and then a red glowing beam of light
assuming that that would be the bad guy in the clip, because red in films or TV normally portrays
danger and evil and since it is Darth Vader holding the red lightsabre then you know instantly that
he is the enemy.
• With Darth Vader wearing all black it again gives him a edge of mystery because you don’t know
what he looks like under the helmet and black attire.
• 9 seconds in you then see a formation of white storm troopers under his command and that then
gives the watcher an idea of professionalism within the enemy.
• At 14 seconds it zooms into Darth Vader's eyes on his helmet giving him a sense of unlimited power,
it also seems to give the watcher a sense that he has no emotion because the reflection is just red
and again that could mean death, danger and power.
• Moving onto the rebels at 15 seconds in you see the back of Vader looming over him looking down
upon the two rebels about to fend off Vader, giving the impression that they don’t have the skill nor
power to take on such an opponent .
• As they start fighting one of the two Jedi lunges towards Vader but he then force pushes them
backwards towards the ground, just before that happens the camera angle it just on Vader's hand
showing the audience how much power he actually has in just one hand since he is able to knock
them back with one hand.
• The same Jedi lunges forward again after getting up but then gets picked up buy Vader and he turns
his lightsabre of and throws him across the platform, flying into a box with the camera angle
zoomed onto his face as it hits a box showing the impact and the pain.