Today we discussed semiotics/linguistics as it relates to film studies exploring paradigmatic and syntagmatic structures specifically related to time-based media. Film is not a language in the same sense that French is a language in that the signifier and signified have a more direct link. The word 'chien' is made up of arbitrary signifiers just as the word 'dog' is in the English language. However a real dog in a film is no doubt, a dog. (You might doubt, I suppose, if he is convincingly disguised as a cat.) Signifier/signified are almost one in the same. We learned that in India there is no good (as in positive) word for dog. Life's a bitch.
We diverged into culturally derived codes of manners, gestures, symbols, etc. i.e. the 'thumbs up' gesture, the 'nodding' or 'shaking head' sign, the 'standing chop sticks' to name a few, and their varied meanings in differing countries.
Remember: Your journal will be retrieved for grading next week!
Read your hand out on writing about film, consider project and start researching.
Make an appointment for individual meetings on film analysis paper.
If you think of anything I missed let me know!
Cheers, L
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