Right Before My Eyes: Movies & TV Shows with Meaning

Tara Brandau

Digital Printing Methodology

Movies & TV Shows with Meaning

Artist Statement

Ever since I was little, there is nothing better to me then a beautifully made movie or a well scripted TV show. So the idea for this project came very easily for me because I have a passion for cinema. This project let me combine my love of photography and my love of films and TV shows.

This series of images are about the objects, which are from some of my favorite movies or TV shows. Every image has a still life subject that reflects an important element. This is about how we get meanings from these objects. Each object has a symbolic meaning from the movie or TV show that it represents.

Harry Potter’s wand was important because it truly convinced Harry Potter that he is a wizard. And there was no denying he what he was after he had his wand in his hand.

When we look at the Tardis we see it as The Doctors home. He would be lost without it. The Doctor’s home planet was destroyed and the only thing he has left is his Tardis.

The bottle of vodka in a brown bag represents the weakness of Frank Gallagher from the show Shameless. Frank is an alcoholic that will con anyone for money to get a drink.

The hockey puck is from the movie Slap Shot and it is about how the Charlestown Chiefs stop playing real hockey and start worrying about making money so the team doesn’t fold at the end of the season. And to make money they become goons.

The Apple from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the forbidden fruit. Great evil happens when someone takes a bite from the cursed apple.

Thor’s Hammer isn’t just his weapon. It is also his strength. He is weak without it .

Flip Cup is from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, it is about how the Gang was competing in a Flip Cup contest and it showed off their competitive nature.

The Queen of Hearts card is from Alice in Wonderland and the Queen is this idea of fear for Alice. The Queen is standing in Alice’s way from getting home and Alice is fearful because at any moment the Queen could order “Off with her head!”

The Baby Ruth bar is from The Goonies and it is about friendship. Chuck is first scared of Sloth but when Chuck offers Sloth a Baby Ruth bar and Sloth so excited about the candy bar you see that it was the start of a great friendship.

The lightsaber is about how it is a Jedi weapon which means the can control the Force. Also the color of a lightsaber can also indicate if the person is good or evil.

Each one of these subjects has a symbolic meaning that helps tell the story of the film or TV show. Simple everyday objects can hold so much meaning and you see that from every one of these.