Media Theories

There are 5 media theories, these theories are:

1.Barthes – Enigma Codes

2.Levi Strauss – Binary Opposites

3.Traditional Hollywood Narrative Structure – 3 Acts (linear)

4.Todorov – narrative theory – 5 stages

5.Propp – Character Types.

Barthes believe in the Enigma code, this is that text portrays a mystery to draw an audience in to the filmOpen – not resolved at end Closed texts – resolved at end Polysemic texts – lots of different meanings.

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

Traditional Hollywood Narrative Structure the typical Hollywood narrative = set up (25% time) /confrontation (50%) /climax (Final 25% of film time)

Todorov believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern through various stages.
 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

Propp believed that there are 8 key character roles 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?