4. Denotation – What you can see (The literal
meaning)
Connotation – What it suggests (The implied
meaning)
E.g. A red rose
Denotation = A flower that is red in colour
Connotation = Love, romance, valentines day
5. Mise en Scene analysis:
We will be watching 4 clips from different TV
drama sub genres. Use the tables on the
following slides of this PowerPoint to fill in your
notes about the mise en scene in each.
6. Meaning produced by these elements. What do these
suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your
examples
Setting The setting of the clip was on a spaceship, which suggest that
the characters have scientific powers etc.
Decor The décor included many electrical machines, which links back
to the sci-fi genre and shows the different conventions
Costume and Make up Some of the characters were wearing black costumes, which
represented their character. For example, the villain wore a
plain black suit which resembles his evil character. Also the
doctor was wearing his outfit, which is unique to his character.
Figure Expression and The woman who was kneeling down, her expression was that
Movement she is very scared and afraid, as to what will happen to the
doctor. However, her expression and movement changes as
she overpowers the villain, and shows she is brave and relieved
that the doctor will be okay. She talks about the satellites of
7. Meaning produced by these elements. What do these
suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your
examples
Setting The clip started off in a the woods, where the police where
searching for something/someone, which suggests that it is a
crime genre or there has been a crime/incident in the woods.
Later in the clip it is located in a house. Which tells us that this
house could belong to a victim or witness.
Decor The décor included many things from the woods, for example
ditches, leaves and broken trees. Also the house had many
typical things you’ll see in a house, for example sofas, old
furniture which resembled what the family is like for example
the parents of the witness were old
Costume and Make up The characters wore simple casual clothing. There was make
up used for the witness’ face to show cuts, bruises and dirt.
Also the detective had a very formal costume on.
Figure Expression and The expression of the detective showed that he was very
8. Meaning produced by these elements. What do these
suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your
examples
Setting The setting of the clip was in a house in the dining room
Decor The décor was made up of typical things you would see in a
house. There was a dining table, with plates, glasses, bottles
and food on it, which showed that the family were having a
meal together.
Costume and Make up The costumes of the characters were very casual and they
wore simple clothes and each showed the type of character
they are. For example the elderly man, was wearing a
waistcoat with a simple shirt. This resembled his character and
his stereotype that he was from Jamaica.
Figure Expression and Everyone had a casual figure around the table, as they were
Movement sitting down eating a meal. The expressions on their faces
showed that they were very happy as they were together. Also
9. Meaning produced by these elements. What do these
suggest about the characters/places. Be specific with your
examples
Setting
Decor
Costume and Make up
Figure Expression and
Movement
Lighting
10.
11. What is a stereotype?
Can you think of any examples?
If you had to design the costume of a youth
offender, what would they be wearing?
12. This is where the representation is
purposefully going against the stereotype
How would you dress a gay male as a
countertype?
13. In your exam you will have to discuss the
representation of one of the following things.
Keep this in mind as we go through this task.
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Regional Identity
Sexuality
Disability/Physical Ability
Class and Status
14. You will be shown a series of stills from TV
dramas. Answer the questions that are shown
before the image.
Do this in quick note form. You will be feeding
back your answers to the class.
15. We are going to look at stills from various TV
dramas and you have to decide what period
of time it represents.
16. Life on Mars
70s – 80s
Cars look old
Old fashioned police uniforms
Period of time has been
represented through the
costumes
The clothes and fashion were
different then to now
17. Sherlock
The way the costumes have
been represented, it looks like
it is set recently
The clothes look like modern
fashion
18. Dr Who
The period of time could be
90s-2000s
The clothing looks like how it
would in those times
19. Skins
The period of time would be
recent times
The costumes are all in fashion
now
They are relevant to teenagers
today
20. This time when you are shown stills answer
the above question
21. The OC
They look like a high class
family
The costumes show they could
have a high social status
Culturally they have a high
status in society because of
their ethnicity
They got high status because
they’ve got money and are
upper class
22. Holby City
From the stereotype, socially
we could say she is very
intelligent and had a good
education as she is a doctor
Her uniform suggest that she is
from England or America
23. Shameless
From some of the costumes we
can categorize and tell their
social groups. For example we
can see on the left there is a
teenager. From his costume we
can tell his from a teenage
social group, who is
stereotyped as a troublemaker.
We can see it is a deprived area
so it could be set in London, or
a small town in America.
From their culture it could
suggest that there is
violence, and crime etc.
24. This time when you are shown stills answer
the above question
25. Spooks
The man at the front has a
more formal suit compared to
the other two guys at the back
who are dressed casual. What
this tells us about the man at
the front is that he could be
feeling more powerful and has
more authority. The guy with
his hands on his pocket, could
feel relaxed judging from his
costume and the way he is
standing.
26. Downton Abbey
The woman on the end of both
sides, could feel less powerful
and lower status than those in
the middle as they are wearing
maid outfits, whereas the
people in the middle are
wearing posh suits.
The man in the middle has a
different suit compared to the
other guys, which could show
his status and power in the
family.
27. Merlin
From the costumes we can see
many things
For example we can see the
man who has armory clothing.
He could have status among
society because of his class an
job.
28.
29. How does the lighting in the scene affect
different moods?
Does lighting change? Is it high or low key
lighting?
Watch the Spooks Clip on the VLE and discuss
as a class.
30.
31. Watch Wire in the blood
How does the mise-en-scène affect and
reflect the relations between characters?
Consider also the actors performances
Discussion: what thoughts, feelings and
emotions are evoked by the actors’
performances?
