The document analyzes the denotation and connotation of various symbols and elements from films and cultural stereotypes. Themes include representation through color, props, costumes, and locations, emphasizing how they communicate deeper meanings about the characters and settings. Additionally, it discusses narrative structures and character portrayal through costume and dialogue in specific cinematic examples.

1. Theory- Meaning
Jack Hickman

2. Snake
• Denotation: A Cold-blooded
reptile that is covered in scales that
are designed for camouflage. They
don’t have any limbs and can
dislocate their jaws to eat larger prey.
• Connotation: the snake
represents the trickster,
untrustworthiness, evil and betrayal
because of what happened in the
garden of Eden.

3. Flag
• Denotation: A piece of cloth or a
similar material which is used as
symbol or emblem for a country or
union.
• Connotation: Flags can
represent unity and strength, a
community, united front. The
colours on a flag can have different
meanings such as red is used to
represent communism.

4. Gun
• Denotation: A weapon which
incorporates a metal tube which
fires bullets, shells or missiles
which are all propelled with
explosive force.
• Connotation: represents fear,
anger or aggression. Can represent
power or control; may also suggest
protection or defending.

5. Dark Souls 3
Colour: The colour is
dark and murky which
suggests a dark and
unforgiving environment.
The colour of the armour
is dark and flame
coloured which also
represents darkness but
the flame colour
represents hope.
Props: The sword isn’t
very noticeable so focus
is drawn to the character
rather than the sword.
Costume: The armour
used looks damaged
which suggests that it is
old and isn’t repaired
much which suggests
that the character is old
and does not care about
the state of his armour.
Location: A city can be seen in the background. The
foreground is located in what looks like a post-war, grassy plain
filled with corpses; this suggests that the character shown is
the sole survivor and is trying to escape the city.
Lighting: The lighting is dark and murky and the sun is not vey
visible which suggests a post-apocalyptic environment.
Framing: The character is in direct view of the frame and most
of the attention is drawn to the character.

6. Interstellar
Colour: The colours used are dark blues for the
water and the skies. Blue symbolises intelligence
and wisdom which incorporates the scientific
qualities of the film whereas the dark colours
represent the serious and more darker tones of
the film.
Props: The spaceship is the only visible prop in
the poster. The absence of props is used to
represent the undiscovered planet that they are
exploring.
Costume: The characters are wearing space suits
which tells the audience that they are astronauts
and the futuristic design of the suits makes the
film out to be more futuristic.
Location: The location is on the water planet
which is desolate and only water exists which
adds to the fact that the astronauts are the first
ones there and that the planet hasn't been
explored yet.
Lighting: The sun looks like it is either rising or
setting. These represent either hope for
humanity or its extinction.
Framing: The protagonist is the center
of attention because he is the closet to
the camera. The other characters are
looking to the left or right and their
faces can’t be made out from this
angle.
Actor/model: Matthew McConaughey.

7. Constantine
Colours: The poster uses blacks and whites mostly
which most likely emphasizes the dark nature of the
film. The red represents danger and hostility and also
stands out to the audience and makes more
noticeable.
Props: The actor is holding a gun but it is not the
focus of the film which suggests that there is the
more to the film then just violence and action scenes.
Costume: The costume is a black and white suit
which blends in with the colour scheme of the poster
and it shows that that the character is part of an
organization and possibly has a lot of money on him
as well.
Location: The audience can not tell what the location
is form this poster which suggests that the location is
not that important to the film but the skyscrapers
that can be seen at the bottom of the poster suggests
that the film takes place in a city.
Lighting: The dark lighting suggests the dark nature of
the film and that the story isn’t all to happy. This is
mainly because the film plays with demons and
possession which are the qualities of a horror film.
Framing: The protagonist is the
focus in the poster and is also the
only character present in the
poster which suggests he is the
only important character in the
film.
Actor/Model: Keeanu Reeves

8. Soundtrack
• Clip 1
– The music would most likely be
used in a horror or thriller film
because of how eerie and
ominous the music is. Possibly
used for a build to a jump scare.
• Clip 2
– The music would most likely be
used for a romantic film because
the music is cheerful, relaxing
and thoughtful which links in
very well to the more romantic
moments of romance films.

9. Shining
• The music used in the trailer is calm and
relaxing; music you would expect to hear in a
romance film.
• The scenes shown in the trailer suggest it is a
romance because the clips used are from
calmer scenes and moments of exposition to
make the film completely different from what
it was meant to be.

10. Scary Mary
• The music used in this trailer would be
suitable for a horror film because of how eerie
and ominous the track is.
• The footage was edited to include some weak
jump scares to make it more like a horror film
trailer and using clips that would suggest a
paranormal entity is killing the children and
the way Mary Poppins spins around at a fast
speed is also quite creepy.

11. Stereotypes
Men
• Men are better
navigators.
• Men are funnier.
• Men can handle
alcohol better.
• Men are more clingy
in relationships
Women
• Women talk a lot.
• Women care more.
• Women can
multitask.
• Women are bad
drivers.

12. Stereotypes
Upper Class
• Snobby
• Rich
• Selfish
• Lazy
• childish
Working Class
• Poor
• Manual labour
• Hard-working
• Overly sexual
• Loud and
inappropriate
clothing

13. Stereotypes
Old People
• Moody
• Ignorant to modern
technology
• Smokers
• Going outside for
walks
• Repeating the same
question
Young People
• Energetic
• Party animals
• Drugs and drinking
• A mostly poor taste
in music
• Mostly stay inside

14. Iconography- Western
• Obvious good vs bad story line
• Exploring new areas
• Plenty of violence
• Set during the Victorian period in America and
mexico
• Historically accurate so not much exposition is
needed
• Story is easy to understand

15. Iconography- Sci-Fi
• Futuristic weaponry
• Different types of alien species
• Futuristic transport
• Fully explored universe
• Concentrates on scientific elements
• The back story is mostly made up
• Plenty of exposition

16. Iconography- Fantasy
• Uses a lot of mythology
• Mostly fictional
• Adventures
• Plenty of good and interesting lore
• Lots of exposition
• Tends to have a good story
• Good and evil is obvious
• The needs to save the world

17. Narrative
• Narrative Definition
– A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
• Linear Narrative Definition
– A story that does not use flashbacks to explain the story; story only
goes in one direction, usually from the perspective of the protagonist.
• Linear Narrative Film Example
– Most Disney films e.g. lion king
• Non-Linear Narrative Definition
– A story with a disrupted narrative, does not use
chronological order
• Non-Linear Narrative Film Example
– Predestination

18. Clip Analysis
• Costume: Darth Vader’s costume is black which suggests that he is evil and is the antagonist. His helmet
is shaped in a way that is easily memorable to the audience and is fearful at the same time. The fact that
he covers his face up suggests that he is hiding something. The cape suggests that he has a high rank in
whatever organisation he is in and is a symbol of strength and power. The two Jedi are wearing standard
clothing which suggests that they do not belong to an organisation and the fact that they are revealing
their faces shows that they have nothing to hide and are honest.
• Dialogue: The scene does not contain much dialogue but Darth Vader’s dialogue is quite interesting and
is suggesting that he knows something the two Jedi do not. Kanan, the older male, is much more talkative
and tells Ezra, the younger male, what to do suggesting that there relationship is student and master
rather than friends.
• Props: The light sabers are the props with the most focus in the scene. Darth Vader’s light saber is red
which suggests that he is evil and should be feared whereas blue is more of a friendly colour which
suggests that the other two are good.
• Music: The music is mostly Darth Vader’s theme which suggests that he is more powerful and has more
control in this scene but the music changes later on suggesting that the two Jedi can turn the tables and
survive the ambush.
• Camerawork: The camera angle changes a lot which suggests that the fight is fast paced and so the
audience knows what all characters are doing at all times. The focus changes to different characters a lot
as well which also suggests the fast pacing and that everyone has a role to play in this fight and no one
takes a back seat.