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Something that stands for something else
Some symbols are universal
 Symbols that are precharged, nothing is needed
to give them meaning
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Some symbols are created, charged with
meaning derived from the context of the film
itself
Four ways to do this
 Repetition
 Value placed on an object by a character
 Context
 Special visual, aural, or musical emphasis

Drawing attention to an object more often
than simple surface object might seem to
deserve
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Object may be relatively minor in
importance, functioning to offer insight into
the character, or it may have major
significance to the dramatic structure

Where an object is placed may give it
symbolic importance
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Visual emphasis may be achieved through
dominant colors, lingering close-ups, unusual
camera angles, changes from sharp to soft
focus, freeze frames, or lighting effects
Natural sounds, or musical refrains can also
become symbolic

Symbols interact with one another so the
filmmaker expresses the same idea through
several symbols instead of relying only on
one.
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Visual metaphor is a comparison that helps
the audience understand an image because
of its similarity to another image
Extrinsic metaphor has no place within the
context of the scene itself but is imposed
artificially into the scene by the filmmaker
Intrinsic metaphor emerges directly from the
context of the scene itself
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Dramatic irony- contrast between ignorance
and knowledge

Irony of situation- sudden reversal or
backfiring of events so that the end result of a
character’s actions is exactly the opposite of
his or her intention

Irony of character- characters embody strong
opposites or contradictions or when their
actions involve sharp reversals in expected
patterns of behavior

Irony of setting- action takes place in a
setting opposite of our expectations

Irony of tone- juxtaposition of opposites in
attitudes or feelings