Preliminary Exercise 1: Ferdinand de Saussure's Semiotics Theory Analysis

Semiotics, a foundational concept in Media Studies, revolves around the study of signs and symbols and their role in conveying meaning within various forms of communication, including film. Ferdinand de Saussure is a central figure in semiotics, known for his structuralist theory. In Saussure's theory, a sign comprises two essential components: the signifier, representing the physical form like words, images, or sounds, and the signified, denoting the underlying concept or idea. In film study, Saussure's theory is essential because it highlights the arbitrary nature of the signifier-signified connection and allows researchers to analyze how different signifiers contribute to narrative, themes, and messages in order to analyze the layers of meaning in film. Here, the goal is to illustrate how Saussure's semiotic theory may be used to analyze films. To do this, a table will be used to explain how signifiers and their matching signified meanings can be found and analyzed, shining light on the film's semiotic aspects and their storytelling influence.

Reflection

Our objective in making the media text was to examine Ferdinand de Saussure's theory in order to understand semiotics in film. Microsoft PowerPoint was used to create the presentation. Even though I consider myself an intermediate user of these programs, the project gave me the opportunity to improve. The main content of the slides included an analysis table with indicators from a video and information on Saussure and his theory. The task was completed by me and my partner. My responsibilities included researching Saussure's theory, analyzing specific signs of my choice, and compiling the presentation content. Through this exercise, I gained a deeper understanding of semiotics in cinema and honed my presentation and research skills, learning how to effectively convey complex theories using multimedia elements.

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