MEDIA P2 CSP DETAIL (HFW) Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the denotation and connotation of aloy in the standard poster?
Denotation: A red-haired female warrior (Aloy) stands confidently, holding a bow, facing the viewer and seemingly ready for action.
Connotation: Suggests strength, independence, and heroism. Her warrior outfit reflects a tribal, post-apocalyptic survival aesthetic.
Media Language Term: Anchorage – her pose and positioning anchor her role as the protagonist and hero.
What is the denotation and connotation of the setting/ background in the standard poster?
Denotation: A tropical beach, lush greenery, and a ruined, overgrown Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Connotation: Blending of natural beauty with the remnants of civilisation. The bridge symbolises a post-human world where nature has reclaimed former cities.
Media Language Term: Mise-en-scène – contrasts utopian naturalism with dystopian decay.
What is the denotation and connotation of the robotic bird in the standard poster?
Denotation: A large mechanical bird hovers mid-air, appearing dangerous and futuristic.
Connotation: Suggests an antagonistic force or an obstacle in the narrative. Fusion of organic and mechanical design.
Media Language Term: Symbolism – represents nature modified and dominated by technology.
What is the denotation and connotation of the typography and branding in the standard poster?
Denotation: The “HORIZON” title is in bold, white futuristic font, with “FORBIDDEN WEST” in smaller font below.
Connotation: The clean, sci-fi font style reinforces futuristic themes. “Forbidden” suggests danger, mystery, and discovery.
Media Language Term: Typography and brand identity – maintains consistency with the franchise.
What is the denotation and connotation of the colour palette in the standard poster?
Denotation: Bright blues, greens, and whites dominate the poster.
Connotation: Creates a vibrant, exotic feel – a paradise-like post-apocalyptic setting. The blue also suggests technological themes.
Media Language Term: Colour theory – contrast between natural beauty and artificial threat.
What is the denotation and connotation of the gender representation in the standard poster?
Denotation: Aloy is presented as strong, equipped for combat, and not sexualised.
Connotation: Subverts the traditional male action hero trope.
Media Language Term: Representation and stereotype subversion.
What is the denotation and connotation of aloy in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: Aloy stands confidently in the top foreground, weapon in hand, looking toward the horizon.
Connotation: Her upward gaze and wind-swept hair connote hope, leadership, and resilience. Her position above others signifies status and importance.
Media Language Term: Framing & composition – she’s the focal point, visually elevated to show dominance.
What is the denotation and connotation of the colour palette in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: The image uses purples, oranges, reds, and blues to split the poster diagonally – warm vs. cool tones.
Connotation:
Orange/red side = danger, war, chaos (linked to the creatures).
Purple/blue side = wisdom, calm, allies (linked to characters).
Media Language Term: Binary opposition using colour – visually separates friend vs. foe, natural vs. synthetic, chaos vs. order.
What is the denotation and connotation of the background figures in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: A group of diverse human characters appear behind Aloy, semi-transparent, in soft light.
Connotation: Suggests teamwork, alliances, or characters with important narrative roles.
Media Language Term: Foreground/background layering – narrative hierarchy and importance.
What is the denotation and connotation of the mechanical creatures in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: Two major robotic creatures feature prominently: a war elephant (bottom left) and a serpent-like machine (bottom right).
Connotation: Evokes a sense of threat, conflict, and action. They signal the stakes and scale of challenge.
Media Language Term: Symbolism – these beasts represent the antagonistic forces.
What is the denotation and connotation of the typorgraphy and branding in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: The “Horizon” title appears at the top with geometric, sci-fi font and symmetrical balance. “Complete Edition” is added in a box, reinforcing value.
Connotation: Modern, sleek design appeals to sci-fi fans and gamers who value high production quality and tech aesthetics.
Media Language Term: Typography and layout – strong brand identity for recognition.
What is the denotation and connotation of the setting and background in the complete edition poster?
Denotation: Flowers, grasslands, and distant ruined bridges hint at a post-apocalyptic America.
Connotation: Symbolises environmental recovery and the fragility of human civilisation.
Media Language Term: Mise-en-scène – natural beauty coexisting with decay and chaos.
What is the analaysis of the opening scene?
Scene 1: ‘May contain content inappropriate for childen’ message – regulation by ESRB, They must specift that it may not be suitable for children, showing a balance between consumer and citizen based regulation
What is the analaysis of the shot of trees scene?
Scene 2: High angle shot of trees and nature – shows the adventure and mystery aspect of the film, common genre conventions, the mist signifies mystery (hermeneutic code), the graphics are in 4k resolution indicating video games are becoming more cinematic
What is the analaysis of the destroyed plane scene?
Scene 3: destroyed plane with text ‘the old ones’ - text based sign ‘the old ones’ signifies that there was an old civilisation, may foreshadow what will happen in the game, shows the game is futuristic
What is the analaysis of the underwater scene?
Scene 4: underwater shot with text ‘the great cities… turned to graves’ - shows the different characteristics of the game, what the audience can expect and play. ‘The great cities’ as the bird flys across the sky, ‘turned to graves’ said as the bird dives underwater – binary opposition + hermeneutic code
What is the analaysis of the crab scene?
Scene 5: shot of a futuristic crab – hyperreality – the crab is a simulacra of real crabs with little link to reality due to the crab in the game being futuristic and having strange features, represents high budget graphics
What is the analaysis of the aloy on horse scene?
Scene 6: aloy riding on futuristic horse – proairetic code (action scene), introduces the convcentions of quests and adverntures, binary opposition created between aloy looking normal, horse looking futuristic
What is the analaysis of the close up shot of aloy scene?
Scene 7: close up shot of aloy – represents aloy as a Viking through her braids and clothing, futuristic ear piece is worn which creates binary opposition with her viking style clothing. She can be seen to have some conventional female beauty features such as the flowing hair in the wind
What is the analaysis of the aloy caring for injured fox scene?
Scene 8: aloy caring for an injured fox – shows a more stereotypical portrayal of females in the media, being passive and caring, loving for animals, ‘I must find a way to stop it’ still positions her as an active character
What is the analaysis of the red apocalyptic scene?
Scene 9: red apocalyptic scene – red has connotations of blood and war, looks like an apocalypse, tree in the back creates binary opposition and suggests there is still hope
What is the analaysis of the asian writing scene?
Scene 10: aloy discovering asian writing on chest – hermeneutic code, creates mystery
What is the analaysis of the dragon scene?
Scene 11: the dragon appearing out of the box – edward saids orientalism, the west are using eastern culture to create meaning in media products and using the culture for audience entertainment, rather than representing the east as positive and beneficial (cultural appropriation)
What is the analaysis of the desert landscape scene?
Scene 12: aloy staring at the desert landscape – its a horizon that she is staring at , implying the name of the game, ‘this mission is mine alone’ positions aloy as a female character who is going to embark on an adventure, she is an active character
