So this week in class, we watched the famous 90's big blockbuster movie Titanic, directed by James Cameron. In relevance of the week's topic, we are supposed to "read" the film and to read a film actually has a lot to do with semiotics. (study of signs) Reading a film is different from reading words or books because film is simply not made up of words, instead, it is composed of images and sound. Since, we can't read sound as sound is heard, thus, we can only read the images. Reading images is actually a learned process. The results which based on cultural interpretation.
Reading images depends on reading signs and symbols. In film, there are three types of signs namely iconic, indexical and symbolic. These are perfectly portrayed in Titanic. For example, the character Rose DeWitt Bukater, a daughter from a wealthy family was seen wearing beautiful dresses, clothes and hats which depicts she is an upperclass, while Jack Dawson on the other hand, is poor. Another one would be that Rose DeWitt Bukater stays in a luxurious cabin with maids and beautiful decorations while Jack Dawson stays few floors below in cabins that are small and shared among a few other people. This shows the difference of their social status in the movie. Besides that, a symbolic example is when the movie portrays the differences of the way of living of the two different social classes. Jack Dawson was invited to have dinner with the upperclassmen, where he had to wear formal and groom himself, and was confused of not knowing how to use the cutlery, and drinks wine like the rich people do. Then, he brings Rose to the lowerclass side, and here we can see a total different ambiance. The people from the lowerclass were loud and play loud upbeat music, dance around the room, drink beer and have fights.
There is this scene in the movie where it shows the Titanic ship, sailed pass by a small boat. This is actually a clever way of showing how big and grand is the ship and it could also mean that the ship is something to marvel upon, for building such a big ship back then is not easy and is a great achievement.
Reading film signs occurs at different levels where on one level, most of the audience would have captured and understand the basic aspects of the plot. Other than that is often overlooked as it is not obvious. This is because the cultural messages within the movie are very subtle and ubiquitous. In conclusion, watching a film is easy but to read and understand one is difficult as it requires critical thinking.
We need to understand the background of the film in order to understand the signs and symbols that has been use in the film. Therefore, a critical thinking must be made to interpret all the information and message that the film trying to bring out.
ReplyDeleteWe could also examine gestures as it form a better understanding of its characters. Take for example, Rose was cleary unhappy and acted crude in front of her company. However, she seems to be delighted and happy with the company of Jack. This signifies that Rose longed for freedom.
ReplyDeleteIts also important to know that every angle that is shot for a movie has its purpose and has been plan to convey a certain message. It may sound or look complicated but all this is done to give the audience a better understanding. Whether the audience realizes it consciously or subconsciously is another thing.
ReplyDeleteWEEK 4: SEMIOTICS AND READING (FILM):
ReplyDeleteBottomline, a big ship ain't all that grand. It was a huge, visual slap in the face targetting big guns who think money gives them power,but overlook the minor details that humility encompasses to ensure a more cushioned fall. This is because everyone will fall at one poitn or another, no one is invicible. We tend to get dragged into a conformist mentality or risk being shunned by the general public. The need to fit in overwhlems individual originality. Simple message enveloped in a high budget film roll.
Annna
I like how the directer compare the diffierent levels of social group, through Rose's getures we can easily understand that she feels unplesent in her "high class society" but happier to be in Jack's company. This makes her a very special one, the heroine of the movie .
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