/// SEMIOTICS2 applied to warp films

The research into these Warp movies has shown that the covers often already signify the genre as social realist. They often use quotes or awards from festivals as they are an aspect that attracts the audience and the audience would choose whether or not to see the movie depending on if its generally getting good reviews.

Le Donk and Scor-Zay-Ze

- Bright colours with title, stars, graffiti (not serious)
- Fat character signifies comedy in this case
- Wearing scruffy clothes, therefore not glamourising the upper-class
- Underwear hanging connotes a comedy genre
- Setting = covered in graffiti (connotation of rough area) + (typical warp)
- Intertextual reference of 'Spinal Tap'
- Stereotypes = short hair, relatively masculine colours
-  rule of thirds - centred on the cover (protagonist)
- more inviting as character is directly referencing the character with hand gesture
- Text = scruffy serif font
- Narrative enigma as we don't know who the character is + his eyes are covered by sunglasses
- Long-shot/extreme long-shot
- Mid angle
- Shane Meadows made clear on cover = denotes the auteur theory
- Small text showing the actors (not famous actors, therefore no need to have their names clear on the cover)
- Not a star vacuole + film ratings on cover
- Showing off film festival ratings
- intertextuality with name (Martin Scorsese)
- Two shot

Dead Man's Shoes

- Bubble font (would typically signify younger audience but not in this case - broken down by 'chilling')
- First warp feature film
- Auteur theory applied again
- Low angle connotes character is a threat
- red and axe signifies danger + clearly signifies genre of horror or drama
- No star power (even with Shane Meadows)
- Dutch angle
- Scary, vicious and violent is important

Tyrannosaur

Rule of thirds, centrally framed connoting this man as the protagonist

However, prop, lighting, mise-en-scene etc connote he could be the antagonist

Own binary opposition - creating narrative enigma

Serif font signifying a drama genre

Wrinkles - older man - older audience

Skin head, vest top - working class

Terraced houses on edge of poster - working class

Dark weather - drama

High key lighting on only one side - reflects his two different personalities - drama

Small 'a film by Paddy Considine' denotes auteur theory

2 awards won & reviews to lead promotion

High angle - surprising for protagonist

Bare tree - drama 

Violence - in this shot - violence to himself - self-loathing

Contemplating - not stupid like the stereotypical working class

Narrative enigma - what is he regretting?

Names but not big or bold

'71

Dark colours used in poster anchor the connotation that this is an action film.

Medium shot, showing facial expression as well as what is being held, further anchors action film

Dark colours also set the tone of the film, and the mind of the protagonist, setting the film as dark and serious, showing the protagonist as troubled.

Facial expression - Mouth slightly opened to show he is shocked.

This is England

This is England immediately signifies that its is a social realist production based in England. This is anchored by the title being the colour of the union jack.
Either side of the poster, two buildings are framed either side signifying working class characters. This is further anchored by the urban decay on the fence/ font. All males in the poster are skinheads which anchors working class
'A film by Shane Meadows' denotes the auteur film theory. 
Wide long shot denotes ensemble cast, Not a star vehicle. It also signifies a community relationship
The film is based in the 1980's, however nothing signifies that so it is polysemic .