Theory of Semiotics.

This is the study of signs or how certain things may signify something. This may include;

• body language
• gestures
• words
• letters
• visual illustrations
• pictures

Semiotics is a useful analytical tool in film as it allows for an explanation to be produced as to how visual images form a communication of meanings. A sign could be anything seen within the shot that may stand for something else. There are three main components;

1. the sign
2. the signifier
3. the signified

For example;

• The sign- a STOP sign
• The signifier- the letters within (S-T-O-P)
• The signified- the motion category STOP

In semiotics there are different levels of meaning, they are distinguished between denotation and connotation.
Denotation- what it actually stands for
Connotation- its associations
Signs are categorised into different codes.

• cinematic codes
• cultural codes
• generic codes
• aesthetic codes