In regards to semiotics, denotation and connotation are terms used to describe the relationship between the signifier and its signified. There are two prominent views in how these are seen;
BARTHES (1977) - argued that in film, connotation can be analytically distinguished from denotation.
JOHN FISKE 1982 - "denotation what is filmed, connotation is how it is filmed".
In order to evaluate media language, you need to evaluate all micro elements and how they inform the audience about genre, narrative, representations and targeting of the audience. To do this correctly, you need to use semiotic terminology to help explain the encoding of elements, codes and conventions. It is important to keep in mind Hall's (1980) theory in reference to the intended preferred meaning.
The micro elements are; mise en scene, camera work, and continuity.
MISE EN SCENE
Made up of key areas to look at, and is in reference to how the diegetic world is created;
- LOCATION - setting, set design, iconography
- CHARACTER - costume, properties, make up. actors and gesture
- CINEMATOGRAPHY - lighting and colour
- LAYOUT AND PAGE DESIGN - colour, juxtaposition of elements
CAMERA WORK
Four aspects to understand;
- SHOT TYPES
- CAMERA COMPOSITION
- CAMERA MOVEMENTS
- CAMERA ANGLES
CONTINUITY
- ESTABLISHING SHOT/RE-ESTABLISHING SHOT
- TRANSITIONS
- 180DEGREE RULE
- ACTION MATCH
- CROSS CUTTING
- CUTAWAY
- INSERT SHOTS
- SHOT REVERSE SHOT
- EYELINE MATCH
- MONTAGE SEQUENCE (non continuity)
- FLASH BACK/FORWARD (non continuity)
- ELLIPSIS (non continuity)
- GRAPHICS MATCH (non continuity)
After thinking about the way my trailer will be made in relation to media language, I have come to a few conclusions, relating to the use of micro elements in order to get my preferred meaning across to the intended audience. In relation to mise en scene, I will have to use certain conventions that are easily recognisable to show the audience that it is a horror, and attract the intended audience. For location, I need to use a scary, derelict building in the middle of nowhere to create a creepy atmosphere and tell the audience there is no where for the protagonists to hide. In terms of character, the choice of actor is important. For example, there is no point me choosing someone who appears weaker that the antagonists to play the protagonists as it would not put the right message across. For cinematography, I need to carefully choose the lighting in order to make it seem scary and give the correct horror film impact, so I would need minimal lighting, and preferably for the trailer to be filmed at night. In terms of layout, I need to make sure the shots are framed correctly in order to show all the relevant information key to the story line at that point, or to withhold information from the audience.
In reference to camera work, I need to be sure that the filming represents and shows the preferred view - such as the horror aspects and the action. This relates to what John Fiske said,"denotation what is filmed, connotation is how it is filmed". As the trailer I am doing is a teaser trailer, and because my genre is horror, I need to ensure the shots are fast cut and full of action to attract the audience.
For continuity, I need to make sure the plot is laid out in the trailer in a chronological order as that is the way the plot runs. For example, if in the trailer I skipped from a chase scene to one of the girls finding the building, it would be inconsistent as that does not happen in the film as it does not feature flashbacks and would confuse the audience. To keep the the audience orientated, I plan on sticking to the 180degree rule, other than at one point where I plan on showing the sheld/torture room from the victims perspective and showing how trapped she is. Other than that, I plan on keeping to the rules. With the transitions, I am going to fade the shots into each other, or into black if there is intertitles. I want this to speed up as the pace of the trailer inceases.
In reference to camera work, I need to be sure that the filming represents and shows the preferred view - such as the horror aspects and the action. This relates to what John Fiske said,"denotation what is filmed, connotation is how it is filmed". As the trailer I am doing is a teaser trailer, and because my genre is horror, I need to ensure the shots are fast cut and full of action to attract the audience.
For continuity, I need to make sure the plot is laid out in the trailer in a chronological order as that is the way the plot runs. For example, if in the trailer I skipped from a chase scene to one of the girls finding the building, it would be inconsistent as that does not happen in the film as it does not feature flashbacks and would confuse the audience. To keep the the audience orientated, I plan on sticking to the 180degree rule, other than at one point where I plan on showing the sheld/torture room from the victims perspective and showing how trapped she is. Other than that, I plan on keeping to the rules. With the transitions, I am going to fade the shots into each other, or into black if there is intertitles. I want this to speed up as the pace of the trailer inceases.
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