Starter

1
Starter
Define the following terms using an example to
illustrate Denotation and Connotation.
Extension Activity
List all the conventions of film posters e.g.
film title etc
2
When analysing media texts it is important that
you establish the connotations of certain
features by how they are presented visually. For
example, in the film poster for The Warrior the
narrative is suggested through the connotations
of the costume, props, facial expressions and
body language and setting.
In The Warrior film poster we see two Chinese
people wearing clothing that is in the style of
oriental Asian. Both of these things indicate
that this film is set in China. We can determine
the time period from the long swords they are
both wielding which suggest it is set in the
14th century. This is reinforced through the
image of the soldiers on horses galloping towards
a battle with their swords waving. This mans
determined facial expression along with the
soldiers below reinforces the idea of a great
battle. The womans cloak is in rich brighter
colour and appears to made out of silk which
suggests perhaps she is royalty and very
important.
3
Class Discussion
How could you use costumes and setting to connote
a film that is set in 1930s America with
prohibition and gangsters like Al Capone?
4
Group Activity
What do you think this film about based on the
title, images, tagline and website? Everyone must
make notes.
5
The tagline suggests Horror and fear. The use of
in every mind suggests that the images in the
windows are from someones mind. The Window/
panel effect could represent memory. It is likely
that they belong to Kevin Bacon as he is placed
centrally between the images. The warning _at_never
be opened again suggests extreme danger.
Light in Stars eye suggests they are his
memories. Direct mode of address makes the
audience feel uncomfortable and as though they
are being stared at. Shadows on his half hidden
face suggest darker side to his character and
create mystery
Enigma codes- Who is this man and what has he
done something awful? Who are the children? What
was so terrible that it means the man shouldnt
remember the experiences? What is going to happen
now he does remember?

Disturbing images of children looking vulnerable
suggest abuse/murder. These would fit in with a
psychological thriller film.
Image of gaunt corpse like face suggest
death/murder. Image of mans silhouette suggests
mystery and a sense of danger.
By using windows we are made to feel as though
we are looking into a place where there are
terrible secrets kept.
Use of a star that is often associated with
Thriller films. Also with playing mentally
unstable or violent characters.
The use of yellow lighting and dark brown/black
shadows again suggests these images are memories
from the past.
Breaking up of letters in title suggest a
disturbance and stirring. The distortion of the
letters reflects the name. It is as though the
letters are echoes themselves.
The scratched window pane surfaces suggest age or
panic. The dust on the windows suggests that the
secrets have been kept a long time
Visit the dead is a clue that indicates this is
a supernatural thriller film. Sense of creepiness
in the suggestion that we can visit dead people
in the film. Intrigue audience
Title- contains connotations of the past and
revisiting the past.
The picture of man with what seems like a shovel
suggests that he has buried a body.
Dark edges suggest something or someone could is
hiding beyond what we can see. Creates a sense of
danger and the unknown.

6
Main Task
INDIVIDUAL WORK- Annotate the film poster for
Troy following the example for the film Stir of
Echoes. Make sure you provide detail in your
comments. Draw an arrow to each feature you write
about.
Extension Activity
Choose two elements of the film posters to write
up into paragraphs.
7
Plenary
Give one example of how the presentation of the
film poster conventions are used to indicate the
narrative, time period and genre.