Summary On film language

SUMMARY

'Film  Language'  by  Graeme  Turner,  examines about film language that Film is a composite of systems of signification and its meaning are the product of the blend of these systems. Film has its own "Codes" of communication which includes the language of image , sound and set design. The author has discussed about cultural studies theorists drawings, particularly on semiotics. The evidence in this article in widespread and vast but the focuses mainly on semiotic, the signifying systems like camera, lighting, mise-en-scene, sound and editing.

TURNER discuses about culture and language that, by culture we got our practise, behaviour, constitute our social evidence. Culture studies theorist drawing principally on semiotics, author argued that language is main product to produce culture and he support his point with semioticians such as ROLAND BARTHERNS 1973 (277). language include all those system from which we select and combine elements to communicate. "so dress can be a language"(277)by changing it we can change what our clothes says about us .Author also included the sensitivity of "FERDIAND DE SAUSSURE" who is totally disagree with TURNER's standpoint regarding language, Saussure argued that language is come from culture by coding the example of Australian aboriginal language which have no word for money because in their culture the function that money serve does not exists then author disapprove of the Saussure thought with the point that we cannot imagine without language so how can we recognize our culture , we internalize the culture system which structure our lives through language.

Author has mentioned that language plays important role without it we cannot articulate anything it is good to say new words or concept in our language . We habitually use the existing vocabulary or linked in with object to further elucidate it for instance type writer, feminism. (278). This apparent negation is explained by Saussure's constructive distinction between the langue of the culture and parole. Film language as it is of a cultural organized system to communicate. Author discussed that language constructs meaning in two ways, the literal or denotation meaning of a word is relation between the word and the object it refers to is moderately fixed for instance book. Second way is connotative meaning which depend and refers to cultural experience sooner than dictionary. connotative carry image plus word. Images dealing with the concept and object way of representation. language for visual representation, sets of codes used by the audience to make sense of what they see images. Verbal language are other activities is called signification and the making of significance and methodology is called semiotics.

In this reading Turner has mentioned that semiotics constructed between signs example traffic signals  or a sound etc, author discussed the way different signifying systems (sound, image). Sign can be crashed into two parts signifier( physical form of the sign ) ,signified ( mental concept ). The occupation of signification take place in film by explicit sense for a audience. author hold his point with, that the direction of camera, focus of camera are according to scenes to drop emotion for instance if there is a love scene camera moves to a close up, this indicates strong emotion or crisis. music also utilize for the same principle to signify emotion. Author has mentioned "FILM AS A SIGNIFYING PRACTICE"(280), film is not one incessant system of signification, as writing is. Film incorporates the disconnect technologies and discourses of the camera, lighting, editing, set design, and sound. Grammar have less significance in film but it is depend on the audience's competencies.

In addition Turner has mentioned about "THE SIGNIFYING SYSTEMS"(281), signifying system comprise camera, sound, lighting, mise-en-scene and editing. firstly camera, In film production camera has its know worth because camera angles according to scenes pass feeling in the shot like close up and extreme close up in love scenes and horror scenes. high definition camera bring curiosity in film for audience such as past film are usually in black and white or poor definition which was not likely bring concentration but this camera effect employ in today's film as special effect. positioning of camera such as Extreme long shots shots catch from helicopter or height, long shots capture less height, wide shots, medium shots, close-ups, extreme close-ups. Author has denoted "Shot reserve-shot"(282) this shot is approximating when couple are standing opposite and watching each other. Point-of-view shot to designate that the character is falling or drugged. bird eye view shot and warm eye view are grasp from bottom and upper level and many other shots are discussed by turner like point of view shot and depth of field.

secondly, Turner has discussed about second most essential signifying system 'Lighting', there are two main objectives to film lighting: first is expressive lighting is to set a mood, for instance hero and heroine are meeting the lighting would be natural, colourful. second is realism lighting is real or to boost natural look like morning scenes. Author has discussed that film including different lights main light(key light) which is high and low, fill light is to vanish shadow approaching from key light and background light is to separate object from background. Lighting is generally using to define the moral tone of a film.

Then, author has discussed about the third signifying system sound apply in film, to get powerful emotion in film scenes sound is very crucial for audience and film maker, sound also useful to bring emotional reality in scene which is very compulsory. "Film  music, like the image can have physical image"(286). In addition author discussed fourth momentous signifying system Mise-en-scene which include set design, costumes. "Mise-en-scene Refers to the design of the two dimensional image and includes the consequence of set design costumes, the arrangement and movement of figures, the spatial relations (who is obscured, who looks dominant, and so on) and the placement of objects which have become important in the narrative." (Tina sikka). Then author has discussed about 'editing' we should not underestimate the importance of editing in film, for instance if film maker wants to show three shot at one time he or she acquire the facilitate of editing. All sound effect lighting and etc are accurate by editing.

In conclusion author has made an argument on semiotics and film language, by framing his argument with the edge of certain ideas like film is a composite of systems of signification and its meaning are the product of the blend of these systems. Author has also talked about the signifying systems which includes camera, sound, editing, mise-en-scene  and lighting by examples. there are variety of signifying system which concern in film in Hollywood and etc. In the end author has focused on film signification.

REFERENCE,

Graeme Turner.   2003  . Film language.

In Gary McCarron (Ed.),

Introduction to Communication Studies (pp. 277-289).

Canada: Pearson Custom Publishing.