Denotation and Connotation

In preparation for mock exams, I wanted to look into the base analysis of any media and how to answer the exam question.

The meaning:

DENOTATION -
Denotation is the first level of analysis, referring to what an audience can literally see. This may be as simple as 'there was a red rose on the wood desk' but it is analysing the frame of a clip and what is completely visible to a viewer.
It is important that it may not only be sight, but that it could be an auditory denotation, as in, the sounds an audience may hear, but the point is still that no further analysis of a symbolic link to the literal description of the sound ( or visual, point is the same )

CONNOTATION -
Connotation is the second level of analysis, this is then where further analysis, past the literal meaning, is drawn. After the denotation of a clip, the analysis then falls to the symbolism of the clip, and broken even further down, the symbolism of an object or part of the clip. This becomes more complex as it is no longer an objective analysis of the clip. An example may be 'the red rose symbolises love and passion' or depending on the genre 'death and blood'

Connotation is the follow up to the denotation and they compliment each other in that regard.

Examples:
To help illustrate the point, here are some examples.
Denotation will be highlighted - denotation
Connotation will be highlighted - connotation
.


Analysis-

You can denote an energy drink, specifically a normal can of red bull. The character this belongs to is likely young as energy drinks symbolise youth, however it also connotes that the character is not the smartest, and is probably a dumber character overall