Reflections on the Form and Content, Film
Language and Semiotics discuss in Week 3
In Week 3, we were shown slides defining
what are form, content and having an understanding of the relationship between
them. Moreover, we had a rough understanding of the types of film language and
Semiotics. Some of the list pertaining to my thoughts are:
1.
Semiotic Terminology –
Connotative and Denotative
2.
Lighting
3.
Western Influence on Percpetion
Thinking way back ever since I was a child, I had never really
taken notice of the connotative and denotative language in a film or pictures.
Although, I may be aware of them subconsciously, it was in a way effective to
the subtle touch to the person's emotion. I remembered vividly my Dad told me, a red
rose symbolizes love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love
you." whereas a yellow rose evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness.
In this context, let’s say a guy would to
give a rose to a girl, just by looking at the colour of the rose tells us a lot
about the intention; whether it is a rose for love or friendship. The form and content is
the rose and colour. These are things to be aware, as you wouldn't want to give the wrong colour of rose to the love of your life right? But have you always wonder how does it affect us?
Connotation: is the emotional and
imaginative association surrounding
a word.
Denotation:
is the strict
dictionary meaning of a word.
In relation to the form and content, I
believe understanding simple semiotics was how we were brought up in society. Like
the example of yellow and red rose. However, my biggest curiosity is, are there
other forms of conveying the language? How would a person notice if something
has a connotation or just a denotation meaning, and if so how does it affect
ones perception of the film.
From my stand point of view, I believe that
connotations and denotations should not entirely be aware of, be it in the
forms of lighting, western influences and camera angle. It should approach in a
way that taps into our sub consciousness to spur our curiosity, not in a direct
manner, but instead with emotion. I feel that humans are wired in a way that
thinks with their emotion, visually and verbally.
This is one good example of how Apple taps
into people’s subconscious mind in conveying the message.
As Simon explains the word, ‘why’; it
psychologically answers our emotional and behavior part of the brain, as a result
people would pay attention, or in film’s methodology I believe through the use of Mise En
Scene and Semiotics. And of cause there are other components that contribute to
the mood of film language.
Here are some forms of film language
through the use of lighting
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Light from below giving a sense of horror.
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Lighting that creates a mysterious feeling. Often use in antagonist to show evil or
simply hiding the person's identity.
Western influence in placing the props.
This is very interesting as it tells us in the scene which object and what
placing to look out for that give us clues of what a scene is about. Something that
I would have never figure out till I what told.
Western influence: always from left to
right. In some cases left means good right means bad.
In today’s film, semiotics with the use of
connotation has become more common but less used. I feel this is due to the fact that
connotation is a form widely used to gain attention and interest from people. I mean, isn't it a good market strategy? However, too much in a film may
result in a negative effect, as the majority of the consumers prefer a less complicated and somewhat easy to understand film. In fact, it has became so common now that people
see everything in a connotation perspective. As wouldn’t it be better if
something means more than nothing?
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