Semiotics

                                                                             Semiotics

For this task we need to choose a film poster of our choice and analyse the semiotic content of the poster. For this task I chose the 1983 film poster from Scarface.

cloudpix.co

Immediately, there are three distinct colours that the audience can see, two of which are vertically opposite to each other. Half of the poster contains a black background and half contains a white background. The initial denotation of using such contrasting colours contains endless connotations that the audience can imagine while viewing this image. Firstly, the use of black has connotations of death, corruption and evil. One significant element which can be seen is how the gun in the character's hand is edging towards the black half of the poster. This is an interesting attribute because you are able to see how an innocent man has great power with a simple object like a gun. The man's power within his gun is exploited when there are situations of corruption and evil, therefore the simple object in his hand can cause great destruction if all the connotations of the colour black are influential in the actions and approach of the shady-looking man.

Furthermore, the right side of the poster is a background of the colour white which has almost opposite connotations to the colour black. For example, the colour white signifies purity, innocence and cleanliness. The producer has used this contrast to convey a vision where the character is split between two extremes; pure and evil. The producer's idea of the preferred reading is for the audience to ask the question 'Is this guy good or bad?' however it is impossible to conclude this by simply looking at the poster and its hidden symbols. 

In addition, notice how the character displayed is dressed in an expensive-looking suit which initially portrays him as a business man who seems very punctual and hard-working. Moments later, we see how the man is equipped with weapon which totally changes our stereotypical view of this man. Now the man is associated with the appearance of an Italian-American gangster who is involved in the World's largest organised crime movement. A mere object in his hand changes the entire impression we have on this man's life. 

The final obvious denotation is the use of the colour red. This has connotations of blood, anger and the devil which changes the perception even further. This time the audience can probably gather that the setting of the film would be one full of blood, fighting and plenty of nail-biting action. Overall, i feel that the producer's use of semiotics causes the audience to feel anxious as to what significant role the character plays and whether the fight between innocence and evil comes to a justifiable end.