SEMIOTICS

 Semiotics

A brief summary of what I learnt in the Roland Barthes Media Theory Semiotics Analysis video.

Semiotics: the study of the meaning of signs and the way we make sense of everything around us.

Semiotics are all about understanding different signs that area used, decoding what they mean, and understanding why a producer has decided to use them. 

Signs: are something that we can infer meaning from - a signifier, (e.g. symbols, colours and camera angles). There are two types of meaning that can come from signs: 

Denotation: literal meaning of signs

Connotation: signified/associated meaning of signs 

For example, the apple technology company logo's could be denoted as its literal meaning - a large apple with a bite out of it. However, most people will associate the logo with connotations of the multinational company (mass-consumerism, high-technology equipment, or our own iPhones).

How we understand meaning depends on our ideology, background and culture. Signs are polysemic, they have multiple meanings. Therefore, people can read signs in different ways. 

Signs in moving image:

Language is where we infer most of our meaning from in media texts but we can still understand texts through other signs within...

The video illustrates this with an example from the film 'Terror for Tokyo', which is in Japanese and therefore audiences are pushed to use other signs to understand the plot. Mise-en-Scene, Editing, Camerawork and the use of sound all help to express clear signs. For example, narrow corridors and bare walls create a claustrophobic, yet exposed atmosphere, heightening the terror felt by the innocent girl, which audiences empathise with. Complimenting this, the camera angles of the scene include many wide-shots and fish eye shots, which work to disorientate the audience, exaggerating the panic felt in the scene, as well as emphasising how small and vulnerable the girl is. Extended shots hold tension and anticipation for the audience. Editing also helps to create meaning through motivated edits from the girls terrified eyes to the door, implying the threat behind. Finally, the use of sound also contributes to creating meaning through tone and expression held in the voice on the other side of the door. This means that despite not understanding the language, the audience can easily infer the sense of aggression and danger that comes from the voice. 

There are 4 categories of signs we look for in film:

1.    1.  Mise en Scene: everything within the scene (set, costume, hair, makeup)

2.     2. Sound: music, sound effects, voice, tone and even a lack of sound all convey meaning

3.     3. Camerawork: framing, composition, angles, movement

4.     4. Editing: use of sequencing, cutting (moving from one shot to another)

 

Signs are selected by media producers to create specific meanings and construct representations. The selection of a particular sign can determine the huge influence it has on audiences. 

When a sign is used consistently, Roland Barthes' theory argues that a sign can become a myth. For example, bulldogs are an accepted sign that symbolise Winston Churchill and Britain.  

A myth: the widely accepted meaning of a sign, accepted dominant connotation.

Naturalisation: the process of establishing myths - media shaping societies ideology through repeated use of signs.