Blog Post 2 - Media Theorists and Theories

1. Barthes – Enigma Codes
- Enigma (mystery).
-Roland Barthes: all texts are ‘complex’ bundles of meaning.
• Enigma codes (problems introduced) – usually in ‘disruption’ stage.
• Open – not resolved at end• Closed texts – resolved at end
•  Polysemic texts – lots of different meanings

2. Levi Strauss – Binary Opposites
Heroes and villains ‘Binary opposites’ Levi Strauss.

He said narratives can be organised through binary opposition -  two things opposed – often dominant vs subordinate - e.g. male/female, hero/villain

3. Traditional Hollywood Narrative Structure – 3 Acts
 -Three Act Structure = the typical Hollywood narrative = set up (25% time) /confrontation (50%) /climax (Final 25% of film time)

Linear (chronological), few, if any, sub-plots, tendency towards closure at end of film.

4. Todorov – narrative theory – 5 stages
• In 1969 Todorov produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to any film. Todorov  believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern through various stages.

There are five stages the narrative can progress through:
• 1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
• 2. A disruption of that order by an event.
• 3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• 4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
• 5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium

5. Propp – Character Types
1. Vladimir Propp – character types – analysed traditional folk stories –8 key character roles

2.  Hero/Villain/Helper/Donor(Provider)/Father/Dispatcher/Princess/  False Hero -  N.B. one character can perform more than one role – how many in your thriller?