Barthes' Enigma Codes
My group and I have come to the conclusion that we want to produce a teaser trailer. One way of a presenting a teaser trailer is through the narrative theory of Barthes' enigma codes; an enigma is a hook or a mystery that is to be resolved by the spectator/audience in order to have a full understanding of narrative. Ultimately, we want our target audience to be left wanting to know more information about the characters and narrative within our film after watching the teaser trailer. For example, what is making innocent individuals act in a certain way? who is responsible for the damage caused? why has it happened? when did it start? etc.
Todorov
Another narrative theory my group and I are considering is Todorov's five stage narrative. This is the idea that everyday life is established (equilibrium), a disruption or problem occurs (disequilibrium), there is recognition from the character that disruption has taken place (realisation), efforts are then made to mend (repair), ultimately resulting to the protagonist gaining greater knowledge into the situation allowing them to grow from their experience (new equilibrium).
Todorov within Advertisements
Within advertisements, Todorov's narrative theory is used to establish that the product being advertised is the solution to the potential customers problem. For example, the 2014 'Relentless' energy drink commercial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYLKm5Svk-E). The audience see a young man between the ages of 18-25 in his bedroom attempting to create new music. He begins to lose concentration and struggles to complete the task. After deliberation, he drinks from a can of original 'Relentless' energy drink; this (conveniently) provides him with the much needed energy to finish the completion of his new song. As a result, he is given a record deal to produce songs for another artist and starts a journey of pursuing a career in the music industry.
From this advertisement, the target audience is established (18 - 25 year olds) and 'Relentless' energy drink is seen to be the solution to the dilemma faced. Because a product such as 'Relentless' is largely consumed by individuals within our target audience range , it would be an idea to challenge the conventions of this particular narrative theory and turn the idea of a popular product being the saviour of a problem on its head. The idea of an ingredient used in the making of an energy drink causing the problem could become a potential reason as to how individuals become infected.
Propp's Character Types
Propp studied folk tales and legends from many different countries and noticed similarities. He acknowledged that majority of the stories being told revolved around the same character types facing the same problems. He identified 32 basic categories of action which he called 'functions'. As well as this, Propp focussed on the way characters within folk tales tended to be types rather than individuals. Overall, there are eight different character types.
Hero - Protagonist/ Wants to succeed/ On a quest.
Villain - Antagonist/ Can be a situation or person.
Donor - Gives the protagonist something in order for them to succeed.
Dispatcher - Starts the Protagonist on their journey.
False Hero - Pretends to be good/ Tempts the hero away from quest/ Dramatic Irony = Protagonist is unaware that the false hero pretends to be good.
Helper - Hero's companion
Princess - The reward for the Hero's hard work/ Competition for the Hero and Villain.
Father - Rewards the Hero for his efforts.
Levi - Strauss' Binary Opposites
Levi - Strauss ( a structuralist philosopher) noticed that the world is made up of opposites especially within a structure texts such as stories,plays and films as well as news reports and advertisements.
Washing powder adverts rely on 'before and after' contrast to convince the potential customer to buy the product. News reports tend to show good versus the bad because then the story is presented very simply.
