Preliminary task Research (semiotics & Mise-en-scene)

Semiotics

·         The study of signs and symbols

·         We learn to read these like we do words

·         They often have cultural meanings e.g. a poppy symbolised the Great War to us but in other countries it would not have these associations

·         Signifier – an object which symbolises something else

·         Denotation – the literal or dictionary definition of something

·         Connotation – the associated meanings with an image or word⨪

Mise-en-scene

Definition: everything that is put into a scene it includes:

·         Settings and props

·         Costume, hair and make up

·         Facial expressions and body language

·         Lighting and colour

·         Positioning of  characters and objects within a frame

Setting: school library, desks, notice boards, chairs, computer, book shelf, books

Costume, hair and makeup: each character has its own individual persona, stereotypical views of school students: there’s the Drop out/Jock/Nutty one/Popular girl/Nerd

Facial expressions and body language: again each has their own individual expressions and body language, to represent the stereotyping for their character for example “the drop out” is slumped down on the desk his legs are spread out below, he’s face is turned as if he was in conversation. The way his arms are positioned suggests boredom and laziness

 Lighting and colour:

Positioning of characters and objects within a frame: the actors are all spread out in a line as if to show the contrast of each character in the scene, and show the individuality of each one. The desk there sitting on has been lined up in almost cliché in my view, for example the Rockefeller center image of the men lined up across the beam in the same way.