Iconography

Iconography in media is an important aspect of genre. Certain objects are expected to be seen on screen when a certain genre is set for a film.

Iconography in the Comedy Genre:

 - Bright colour palette on screen, goes with high key lighting and the light hearted background of the genre.
 - Slapstick comedy uses props such as bats and water pistols.
 - Spoken jokes as well as non-verbal looks of reaction towards the camera, breaking the fourth wall between audience and character.
 - Iconography usually conforms to the theme of the film. For example, a film about rebellious teenagers, props used would be empty bottles of alcohol or used condoms to add comic effect.

Iconography in the Drama Genre:

- Real life issues and problems help the audience relate to the characters and rest of the film, making the received moral even greater. It also increases their sympathy towards the characters involved, meaning they are more involved in the events and narrative.
 - Drama films can also occur in different time periods, for example the 1940s during World War 2. Iconography for this specific time/war drama would be props such as gas masks, planes, camouflage and uniform.
 - Props in Drama films usually have large meaning to the characters and narrative story line as well as the audience. An example of this would be the significance of the blue diamond necklace in 'Titanic' the film, as this is solely the purpose for the team going out to search for the sunken boat in the first place.