Semiotics

Semiotics (semiotics):
Semiotics – the study of signs Broken down into 2 parts:
Signifier (What it is)
 Signified (what it suggests) Signs are culturally learnt. There are 3 types of signs:
• Iconic: looks like what it represents but suggests something more. For example a leather jacket is meant to represent being cool.

 • Indexical: indicates / makes reference to something else. Someone with their eyes making direct eye contact, with their hands folded stood upright means that there angry.

 • Symbolic: it has an arbitrary meaning. The meaning is only something we’ve learnt. For example a dove symbolising peace. Mise-en-scene, meaning EVERYTHING in the scene. It centres on these areas:
 • Setting
 • Body language
• Facial expressions
• Hair and makeup
• Costume
• Colour and lighting (high key and low key)