Semiotics and Signifiers

Semiotics and signifiers are features that we read and are clues as to what the text is about. It is culturally determined by constant exposure to them. For example a red light on traffic lights means stop and green means go. Also in our culture nodding the head means yes and shaking the head means no but in other cultures this may be the opposite way around. They are also used as clues in movie posters, for example the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 poster. It's mainly a dark image and uses red specs which could conotate the deaths that happen within the movie, the poster features the three main cast members but unlike most movie posters it doesn't have their names on this may perhaps be because the films are so wildly known and this was one of the final films. On the poster it says "the end begins" this creates suspension and makes the audience more curious about the film and what will happen within it since it's also "part 1 of the epic finale." The poster also includes the release date for the film therefore it informs the audience of when they can see the movie. The dense forests creates a gloomy atmospheres as that is a signifier that something bad will happen.