More Film Theories - For the Exam and Shortfilm

Barthes - Narrative Codes:

These codes refer to the narrative again but focus on what the audience sees within a text compared to characters. I looked at these because I wanted to have a clear understanding of these codes if I was to make a short film. Our AS film opening did include some of these codes because we put them in there deliberately.

The Hermeneutic Code - hermeneutic code refers to plot elements of a story that are not explained. They exist as enigmas that the reader wishes to be resolved. A detective story, for example, is a narrative that operates primarily by the hermeneutic code. A crime is exposed or postulated and the rest of the narrative is devoted to answering questions raised by the initial event. These were present in the flashbacks because there is no explanation of who the character is within the flashback. Furthermore it shows small details of the protagonists past.

The Proairetic Code - proairetic code refers to plot events that apply the action a character has made, this creates tension not through mystery but through the characters choice in actions. This is present when our protagonist moves towards the window, this is cause he moves towards danger causing him to be at risk and makes the audience question his actions.

The Semic Code - signs of this code allow us to measure stereotypes and link them with characters and events. The semic code allows the text to 'show' instead of 'tell' by describing material things through signs. We used the older character as a main protagonist because it instantly connotes weakness further implied by his surroundings.

The Symbolic Code - symbolic code refers to a structural structure that organizes meanings by way of antitheses, binary oppositions or sexual and psychological conflicts. These oppositions can be expressed through action, character and setting. Our entire film was based of psychological challenges the main character faces.

The Cultural Code - cultural code designates any element in a narrative that refers to common bodies of knowledge such as historical, mythological or scientific. The cultural codes point to knowledge about the way the world works as shared by a community or culture.

Todorov's Equilibrium Theory

Todorov's theory is that in a film or story, the power is in a state of equilibrium (balance.) Todorov believes that as the story progresses the state of equilibrium can change, giving one person more power or authority over another throughout the plot, keeping the audience entertained. Each story should start with an initial Status Quo/Power set up of a person or within a group. This person or group has authority over others. However, the equilibrium is changed after a disruption, resulting in disequilibrium. The old equilibrium is broken, and therefore a new one must begin. This will repeat during the narrative until we reach a final equilibrium.

Todorov believes the theory to progress in five stages;
1. There is an equal balance and initial equilibrium.
2. The equilibrium is disrupted by an event. (Disequilibrium)
3. There is recognition of the disruption occurring.
4. There is an attempt to repair the damage done by the disruption.
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrium at the end of the narrative.

We wanted our film to consistently have a continuing disequilibrium to show that metal illness doesn’t hold an escape; this is because we found that these brave soldiers can be broken by the illness and this is why our character is weak. We also used the flash becks to upset the equilibrium at the beginning of the film.