Film Semiotics

Semiotics is the study of signing.  These signs will represent something other then there obvious betrayal.
An example of an sign which represents something other than its self is open sign. It does not just mean open, it could be a sign symbolising that this building is a business. 

The two main approaches to semiotics are Ferdinland desaussure and Charles Sander pierces.

Ferdinland represented the Dyadic semiotic system, sign=signifier ± signified. 

Charles represented the Pierces Trydic semiotic system, sign-object-interpretant.

Charles theory which makes up a sign are two objects: The symbol and the index's.


These semiotics apply to film poster because because the film company will want to draw in their audience.  This can also be applied to it because there are many features in film posters which the audience doesn't notice on purpose but yet its still there to make it more appealing. 

This film poster uses many semiotics to make it more appealing to the audience.  The first semiotic which i will explain is the sword in his hand, this sword is meant to symbolize heroism, but it could also symbolize danger because he looks like he is about to swing his sword.  The second semiotic which i will explain is the fighting in the background of the boy.  Within this background there is a massive fire which fires straight through the middle. this fire is meant to symbolize destruction but it could symbolize danger.  Also in the background is fighting between wizards and witches, this is meant to symbolize hate and danger but it could also symbolize courage because young wizards are fighting with the more talented .  The final semiotic which i will explain is the blood on the boys face.  This blood is meant to symbolize hurt and danger but it could also symbolize a heroic essence because he is still fighting even with his wound. This poster relates to the films because within the film this person uses the sword to kill the main enemy of the film, this is an example of synergy.  

This film poster uses many semiotics to make it more appealing towards the audience. The first semiotic which i will explain is the angle shot of the enemy in the trailer  This shot is a low angle shot, this shot is meant to symbolize power and fearful but this could also represent fear for the audience because he is looking down on them.  The second semiotic which i will explain is the destruction is the background.  This shows a monument collapsing which gives the idea of evil and fear.  The final semiotic which i will explain is the snake.  This snake is meant to represent evil and danger but  it could also be a sign of companionship because it is the enemies pet which shows loyalty.  This poster relates to the film because within the film this enemy uses this pose a lot to take down his enemies, this is an example of synergy.

Coventions of Trailers

There are many different conventions within creating a successful film trailers.  I will explain these conventions within this blogpost.  I will be using the two different harry potter trailers to help outline the conventions. 

The first convention i will be outlining is the use of dialogue.  The dialogue can be used as narrations which are supported by scenes from the film and dialogue from the film it's self.  Within the harry potter trailer it used dialogue from the film itself to help promote it. 

The second convention i will be outlineing is the focus on big named actors. The big named actors are used to draw in the audience because their favourite actor might be starring in the film.  Within the harry potter trailer it used the well know actors such as Daniel Radcliff to help promote it.   

The third convention i will be outlining is the captions.  Film trailers use captions to give text support to the scenes.  Within the harry potter trailers they used captions in this way to make it more informative.

The fourth convention i will be outlinning is short cuts within the trailer.  This is used to make the trailer more fast paced and therefore more appealing to the audience.  The harry potter did the use to make it more intense.

The fifth convention i will be outlining speed of the trailer as the trailer progresses.  This normally happens in trailers to make the more intense.  The harry potter trailer did this to make it more intense. 

The sixth convention i will be outlining is the realese date of the film.  This gives the audience more insight about the film and therefore more appealing towards the audience.  Film trailers will say used text to quote if the film will be in 3D.  Harry Potter did this to give the audeince more insight.

The seventh convention i will be outlining is the specialised Ident at the start of the trailer.  This gives the feeling that the film is important because for a big company such as warner brothers, making a specialised Ident is great.  Harry Potter did this because the film francise is wide.

Differences

The differences between the Harry Potter trailers are:
- The first trailer has more action than the second trailer.  Warner Brothers might have done this because they wanted to give the viewers more information about the plot of the film before realsing more action. 

- The second difference is the use of previous film scenes used in the second film.  Warner Brothers might have done this becuase they wanted to use scenes from younger years to remind the audeince.

Films from different decades

12 Angry Men Trailer (1950)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7CBKT0PWFA

This trailer doesnt have any colour, this was due the fact that the technology in the 1950's was poor.  This happened often in the 1950's.  

A Space odyessey (1960)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vahx4rAd0N0

 This trailer uses colour unlike the previous one, but the colour quality isnt perfect. 

The Godfather (1970)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DO-nDW43Ik

This trailer again has poor quality of colour, just like the 1960's trailer. 

Star Wars Episode V (1980)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD4BQ3Jro-k

This trailer has improved in picture quality since the 1970, this improves the trailer quality because it is more appealing towards there audience. 

Golden Trailers Awards

The Golden Trailer Awards is an annual awards show that honors achievements in motion picture marketing, including film trailers, posters and television advertisements. The first Golden Trailer Awards ceremony was held on September 21, 1999 in New York. The 9th Annual Golden Trailer Awards, in 2008 were at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The Dark Knight won three awards Best Action, Best Summer Blockbuster Poster and Trailer of the Yea in the public vote held in America. Trailer of the year winners: 2012: The Dark Knight Rises 2011: The Social Network 2010: The Cove 2009: Star Trek 2008: The Dark Knight 2007: 300 The Dark Knight Rises won the 2012 because it has three previous films which won awards therefore they had a large fan base and therefore they would get more votes which makes them the winner. The Trailer also included feautures which made it appealing.

Film Trailer Ideas From Real Films

Here is a list of possible ideas which might be used in my film trailer. - Intense Music between scenes - Speech Overlap - Use slight humour to make the trailer more appealling - Lots of jump cuts in one sequence to create intensity - Long Shots to show the actors involved - Spooky Text and effects - Trailer starts of slow and as the trailer progesses the trailer speeds up

Blog Introduction

For my A2 Media Coursework, I have been asked the produce a film trailer for a genre of my choice. Within this task i will work in a group to compose this trailer. We will be promoting this film through the trailer, a film poster and a film magazine front cover. The group will suceed this by using our time correctly. Luke Hignett