Key aspect: Language When being asked about language, you should focus on two things: Technical codes Cultural codes

Technical codes Technical codes refer to a variety of different techniques the director may use to create meaning. Camera angle/framing, sound, music, lighting, mise-en-scene, colour, costume, editing…

Cultural codes Signs that are given to the audience that require some cultural associations. Sign – Signifier – Signified Signifier = the literal object Signified = the associations with that object Sign = Signifier + signified

Example Sign – Signifier – Black cat Signified – witchcraft, evil, good luck/bad luck, superstition, crafty…

As we watch… Take notes on technical codes and cultural codes (keep these separate in your notes) Be ready to feed back to each other

Opening scene Coen Brothers 2 shot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UE3jz_O_EM 7 Days in May trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UE3jz_O_EM

Notes Intertextuality – when one text references another text Score: ‘decided the score should include a great deal of percussion instruments,’ to ‘match the deluded self-importance of the characters.’ Joel Coen: ‘something big and bombastic, something important sounding but absolutely meaningless.’