Semiotics and Anchorage

Semiotics
Semiotics, or semiology, is the study of signs, symbols, and signification. It is the study of how meaning is created, not what it is.

Anchorage
Fixing of meaning e.g. the copy text anchors (ie fixes to one spot) the meaning of an image (for instance, a single rose, that could be used for an advertisement for anything from a dating agency to a funeral home) in a print advertisement.

Shot reverse shot, match on action and 180 degree rule

Shot reverse shot
This is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and the other character is shown looking back at the first character. This technique is usually used in conversations or when characters are simply looking at eachother. 

Example:

Match on action
This is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot portraying the action of the subject in the first shot. This technique creates a sense of continuity - the action carrying through creates a "visual bridge".

Example: 

180 degree rule
This rule enforces continuity of the film. The rule states that the camera(s) should remain the same side of the imaginary line. The line is drawn perpendicular to the camera's viewpoint in the establishing shot of the scene. The rule should never be broken, as it confuses the audience especially in scenes of chase, conversation or sport.

Example:

Film production - company logos

Film production is the process of making a film. It involves an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and exhibition. It also involves companies managing and creating the film.

Walt Disney Pictures are mainly involved with creating and publishing fairy-tale and fictional films. The logo portrays quite a fairy-tale like animation, reflecting that most of its films are quite lighthearted and mainly focussed on children. The castle and the shooting star also help establish this.  

DreamWorks film production are quite similar, the logo is quite fairy-tale like and also would attract children. The boy sitting on the moon with a fishing rod portrays a quite relaxed, calm and quite innocent idea of how the movie may be like.

Breakthru films production has a significantly different logo to the two above. It's quite bold and clear, which may state that the films they produce are quite strong and maybe somewhat serious.

Camera movement

Crab	A less-common term for tracking or trucking.
Dolly	The camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks for a very smooth movement. Also known as a tracking shot or trucking shot.
Dolly Zoom	A technique in which the camera moves closer or further from the subject while simultaneously adjusting the zoom angle to keep the subject the same size in the frame.
Follow	The camera physically follows the subject at a more or less constant distance.
Pan	Horizontal movement, left and right.
Tilt	Vertical movement of the camera angle, i.e. pointing the camera up and down (as opposed to moving the whole camera up and down).
Track	Roughly synonymous with the dolly shot, but often defined more specifically as movement which stays a constant distance from the action, especially side-to-side movement.
Zoom	Technically this isn't a camera move, but a change in the lens focal length with gives the illusion of moving the camera closer or further away.

Camera angles

• Birds eye angle - is an angle that looks directly down upon a scene.

• High angle - is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small.

• Eye level angle -  puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.

• Low angle - is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character.

Camera shots

• Extreme long shot - this contains a large amount of landscape. Usually used used at the beginning of a film or scene to establish the setting. Also known as an establishing shot.

• Long shot - also contains landscape, but gives the viewer a more specific idea of the setting.

• Full shot - this contains complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters.

• Mid shot - this contains the characters or a character from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters.

• Close up - contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character.

• Extreme close up - contains one part of a character's face or other object. This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.

• Two shot - this contains only two people in a frame, enabling you to establish their relationship.

• Group shot - this contains more than two people. You can identify what is happening between those specific people in a scene.