Semiotics

Semiotics

Definition:

This is the study of signs a sign is the smallest unit of meaning and is something that can give meaning or information.

Signifier:

This is the form in which the sign takes it can be a sound, printed words or an image.

Signified:

Whereas the signified is the concept it represents and changes from individuals.

For example a can of Heinz Tomato soup is this images signifier.

But for my individual signified response this picture of soup represents my childhood and reminds me of winter time. However for someone else it could the signified response for another person could be a famous food company.

Subject Positioning:
On a bigger scale this means that we all read media texts slightly differently because we all have a personal subject position depending on our lives and experiences.

Denotation: 
This means the literal meaning of a word or image and is the signifier.

Connotations:
This is the emotional or personal meaning each individual adds to a word or image and is the the signified.

Poster analysis:


The colourful background conveys a sense of mayhem and also has connotations of a circus environment. The background's rainbow effect also has connections to the gay pride flag or as it's also known the equality flag this movement highlights the freedom of being yourself which could be foreshadowing the premise of the film. In addition to the idea of equality Margot Robbie's character is wearing a charm on her necklace which resembles the Venus symbol which is often referred to as the female symbol. This emphasises the idea of equality and empowerment leading me to believe the film will centre around these as key themes. 

The poster suggests that Margot Robbie's character is central in the narrative because of her positioning in the frame, shes in the middle and takes up the majority of the frame the viewers eyes are instantly drawn to her. Also I believe the idea of the poster is that it's happening inside the character Harley Quinn's head. Firstly the other characters have wings and are floating, about eye line with Harley Quinn the characters do not appear like this in the film making the poster appear unnatural and creating a sense of insanity. Furthermore Margot Robbie's character is looking up slightly so that she appears to be watching the other characters, increasing my belief that in the fictional world, of the film, Harley Quinn see's herself as the 'star' and everyone she meets as characters in her own world. Conveying that this character has serious psychological issues and foreshadows to the audience the depth of this character. Similarly the typology of the title highlights this theory the words "Birds Of Prey" are in block letters and are clearly visible to the viewer. However the rest of the title "and the fantabulous emancipation of one Harley Quinn" appears to be hand written and done almost as an after thought the designers of the poster did this on purpose to make it seem as though Harley Quinn herself wrote to bring the attention back to the character.