My role within the 'Semiotics: The Science of Signs' presentation was to demonstrate semiotics in film. Our group met up in the library and discussed which area of semiotics we were to present. In looking at film semiotics, I had researched some films that had specific symbols that meant a great deal in their movies. For example, 'the scar' in Harry Potter and 'the ring' in The Lord of The Rings. Jale had helped me find a few more and she came across the animated film Tom and Jerry. As she sent it to me, she said that it would be a good example since there are signs and symbols being moved by culture within it. I was told we had only about 5 minutes each so I decided to focus purely on Tom and Jerry. I believed there were a few more things I could relate it to rather than the other movies. I really wish I had fit in more information.
I felt it was very important to weave in the theorists of Semiotics. I focused on two theories: Ferdinand de Saussure's "Signifier and Signified". During the presentation, I followed up Sharleen who had already talked about this theory so I felt like it did not need further explanation. However, I did carry on to relate it to Tom and Jerry.
I felt it was very important to weave in the theorists of Semiotics. I focused on two theories: Ferdinand de Saussure's "Signifier and Signified". During the presentation, I followed up Sharleen who had already talked about this theory so I felt like it did not need further explanation. However, I did carry on to relate it to Tom and Jerry.
My first slide was a short 20 second clip of 'Tom and Jerry'. It was titled 'Mouse Trouble'. While looking for a specific episode, I reminded myself that most of the content within the episode needed to be related to the Signifier and Signified. I felt that this was the perfect episode seeing as I could also fit in codes and conventions. During the presentation, I noticed that the audience laughed at this clip. This gave me a lot more confidence to communicate with them during the presentation.
While viewing this slide, I explain the concept of the Signified and the Signifier. I explain its importance within the film – how film can portray the relationship between cat and mouse. I researched this certain theory by De Saussure and came across 'Semiotics for Beginners: Signs'. This was a useful resource to help my understanding for Semiotics and how it can collide with film. I presented these two images of an animated cat and mouse with these exact captions as it is basically the signified before the audience know its meaning. I found that it would help my audience understand this concept.
In this slide, I explained codes and conventions and then further explained its importance in film. Codes and conventions can be separated into three distinct groups. It gives the text meaning and determines the response of the viewer.
I then related codes and conventions to Tom and Jerry. I used examples using the three distinct groups. Through symbols, viewers are able to understand the clip.
Overall, I am satisfied with how our presentation turned out. Everybody had great contribution to the group, even though I had felt at some point that there were too many people. It still worked out well. I learnt a great deal about Semiotics that it helped me choose a topic and text for my CUCO essay. I learnt a great deal by researching a variety of Semiotic sources. I regret not doing my work based specifically on the marking criteria. I will be sure to do that with my next assignments. I was pleased with the audience and how they contributed to the presentation and discussion. My questions were simple but I wanted to make sure that the audience knew was I was talking about. . I learnt that, on the day, it was supposed to be longer than five minutes which got me a bit worried. Everyone else’s part was longer than 5 minutes. Regardless of the timing, I feel like I pulled through and communicated effectively.