Production Journal Reflection Week 3

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

Light from below giving a sense of horror.

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?