Student name: Savanah Waters
Date of post: 28/08/15
Topic + Lecture Week: Visual Social Semiotics Analysis and Image Annotation, WK5
Image: House of Cards Poster
Title: House of Cards
Year Created: 2013
Dimensions: 1000 x 1289
Technique/Material: TV show
Genre: Drama
Content: This poster was one of the first released so there is a lot of pressure to get the point of the show across to the viewer. This poster perfectly captures the shows atmosphere in one image. Kevin Spacey’s Character sits on Lincoln’s statue chair with bloody hands.
Analysis using Visual Social Semiotics:
Representational Narrative:
As there is only the one character in this image the only interaction is between Frank Underwood and the viewer. He is looking down on you, with bloody hands as if he has just clawed his way to the top. He is looking directly into the camera, breaking the fourth wall and personally involving the viewer. He does this throughout the show also, sometimes even talking to the audience as if we are there with him.
Conceptual Representation:
The chair Frank is regally sitting upon is easily recognised as Lincoln’s statue. An iconic image that is immediately associated with presidency. The American flag contributes to the patriotic feel of the image. The edges of the image are shadowed out with the lighting focus on Mr. Underwood on Lincoln’s chair.
Interactive Meaning of Contact, Distance & Point of View:
Spacey’s character is making symbolic eye contact with the viewer. The image is taken at a medium shot, you can clearly see his face but his full body is in the shot. Taken from an angle that makes the viewer feel as if they are sitting at Frank Underwood’s feet. The image has high natural modality.
Theories of Visual Communication 