Denotation vs Connotation

[pe11_2000]

Im producing a film looking at denontation and connotation and views on stereotypes. I was looking at doing type of fictional documentary, I basically still looking for an intial idea, but i am just having problems finding one. I need the bulk of a story, I may look at one picture and come up with a story behind that, behind the characters personality and spirit. If anyone has any suggestions i would be very much appreciated.

[Mods]

Well, I presume you're doing it as a film then? Like, with characters n all.

D'you remember Se7en? Okay, so it was the seven sins but it still looked at stereotypes. I hated doing denotation and connotation in media studies, but playing with stereotypes can always be fun.

How dyou intend to look at stereotypes? I'd like to help you but Im not sure how, as I don't fully understand what you want to achieve

Mods

[pe11_2000]

Well mods, I dont know myself as much to be honest, well basically I think i want to look at stereotypes, but in a subverse way. Basically look at say a skinhead, tatoos, england shirt on, it turns out to be a vicar. Basically totally ripp up the idea of stereotypes, or the other idea I had was to look at one particular picture and tell a story behind that picture, for example, a picture of a young girl happily playing in the park, but is secretly getting abused by her father, i am hoping to show that things aint all they same. This idea has probably been done before, but i mean what idea is an original idea these days. So if this gives you any more help I would appreciate yours, cheers mate.

[miker]

It's my experience that stereotypes do indeed exist, mostly as a shorthand, like our friend the cliche.

The 'reverse psychology' stereotype that you illustrate is just that .... a stereotype and/or cliche.

Humans generalise, it aids communication when well balanced. I see nothing wrong with labels unless they are inappropriately applied. What is a noun after all, if not a label for a 'thing' that exists...

[eddie]

I didnt go to film school so have missed out on learning the meanings of a few words.
Can you tel me what denontation and connotation means? Then I might be able to suggest something.
Thanks

[Mods]

Connotation
The act or process of connoting.

1 An idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or thing: Hollywood holds connotations of romance and glittering success.

2 The set of associative implications constituting the general sense of a word in addition to its literal sense.

3 Logic. The set of attributes constituting the meaning of a term; intension.

Denotation
1 The act of denoting; indication.
Something, such as a sign or symbol, that denotes.

2 Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol.

3 The most specific or direct meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.


Mods

[eddie]

Thanks.

So a Connotation is something which is suggested -

A Denotation is a specific reference to something.

there was an advert on TV a few years ago for the gaurdian newspaper. They were trying to say that they told you the whole story.
the advert was of a normal innocent looking block standing on the street. then cut to a skin head running toward him. It looked like the skinhead was about to beat the crap out of this guy, but then it cuts to a load of bricks above the guys head, that were falling. The skin head dives into the guy pushing him aside and stops him from being crushed.

Perhaps you could follow a similar theme.In this case it works because its short and dramatic.

[marti-c]

Just watch you dont get the mix up of stereotypes with cultural assumptions as i always did!

marti