How We Define Iconography in Film to Aid in the Identification of Film Genre

In the study of film and other creative works such as art, literature, and music, genre represents a unique style that applies to the work based on distinct characteristics or features of the media. Within the various genres are macro elements or iconography which further narrow down the distinct physical features of the creative work. But how do we define iconography in film and how can iconography assist with the identification of film genre conventions?

Defining Iconography in Film

Iconography represents the macro elements of a film genre. Which an audience may use to help narrow down the exact genre convention of the film.

This includes things like the props and costumes that the film uses. Which would be representative of a particular genre convention. 

To help you better understand how we define iconography in film, think of it sort of like macro vs. micro economics. Macro being the whole or large view and micro being the more objective, close up view.

When it comes to iconography, the film genre represents the macro and the iconography represents the micro. Such that the genre is made up of many different micro characteristics or details some of which are the iconography.

Examples of Iconography in Film

Iconography in films can be seen in a variety of different elements, primarily those which would be expected to go along with the particular film genre that a film is representing.

In fact, the iconography can help the audience to more closely understand or determine what genre a film is based on the iconographic details.

Consider the following examples of iconography in film below:

• Cowboys, guns, old saloons, and sheriff badges are iconographic of a western film.
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• Explosives, guns, fast cars, and fancy clothes are some of the iconographic elements of an action film.
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• Dark lighting, blood, and scary children are iconographic of a horror film.

In Summary

As you can see, when we define iconography in film? It represents primarily the physical elements of the film that represent a micro view of the genre of the film.

The iconography or iconographic elements include the props, character costumes, and various physical elements within the scene. That help the audience to make the connection to the film’s genre.