Semiotics

semiotics

1. Choose one scene and discuss the cinematographic language employed to convey the message/theme of the scene.

A. Picture-taking

Auditory Code

In this scene, we hear the spoken dialogue of the Jarett Family while on a family photo session. Calvin (father) took the camera from the grandparents to take a picture of his wife and son, Beth and Conrad. Beth wasn’t comfortable with the idea and insisted that she’ll just take a picture of Calvin but he refuses. Conrad is in the awkward situation and eventually was filled with emotion then started to shout his anger out. We can feel the tension between Conrad and Beth in this scene.

After the picture-taking scene, we see Beth going to the kitchen and we hear the sound of the china plate breaking. The grandmother then went to the Kitchen and we hear Beth’s dialogue “I think this can be fixed. It’s a clean break.” Throughout the dialogue of the characters, we can see their personalities. Beth wants to be in control of everything and Conrad, the complete opposite of his mom, started to grasp control in this picture-taking scene.

Visual Code

When Calvin insisted on taking a picture of Beth and Conrad, we see them in an uncomfortable situation by their gestures and spatial relations. They are not even close even though Calvin kept on telling them to move closer with each other. Beth and Conrad weren’t even smiling.

When Beth went to the kitchen, we see the china plate broken in half but like a puzzle piece, it seems that it can be fixed - a metaphor for the ideal family that Beth is trying to maintain.

Cinematographic Code

The subtle tightening of shots allowed the scene to express the escalating tension among the members of Jarett Family. The lighting is warm inside a snowy background. The shots are steady but the cuts are fast.

B. Opening Scene

Auditory Code

The film opens with a high school choir rehearsal. Conrad is behind his love interes Jeannie. The choir is...