Media Theories

Media Theories
Classic Hollywood Narratives
(Three act structure)
1) Routine life (Introduction of the problem)
2) Problem solving (The character logically works through creating a story)
3) Problem resolved (End of the problem where the life returns back to normal)

The classic Hollywood comes in between realism and formalism.

Strauss Binary Opposites

Claude Levi Straussa french man who was alive around the 1900's. His theory was that we understand a word more according to how strongly we understand its opposite meanings and things related to it, more than how much we undestand the direct meaning of the word itself, known as 'binary opposites'. e.g. how well we understand the meaning of bad, depends on  how well you understand the word good and things related to it. Many films/plots especially thrillers, use several binary opposites within the storyline.

 

Barthes 5 Narrative Codes

1) Hermenuetic
This code refers to a text that has mystery or uncertainty, clues or hints or given but still there is no obvious or clear answer.

2) Proairetic
This code is adds suspense and tension to the text, which keeps the audience interested and guessing

3) Semantic
This code refers to part of a text, through connotation of which the story suggests.

Connotation - "an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning"

4) Symbolic
Similar to the semantic code but at a broader level. "This is typically done through the use of antithesis, where new ideas arise out of opposing and conflicting ideas.

5) Cultural
This code focuses on the audience's ideology, cultural knowledge and morality.

Todorov's Theory

Todorov came up with a theory in 1969 which he believe that should and could be applied to any film text.

1) A state of equilibrium ( everything is happening as it should be)
2) A disruption in the order of events
3) Recognition that there has been a change in events
4) A plan to stop the disturbance and repair the damage
5) A return to a state of equilibrium can be applied to the thriller: Rush Hour



1) The president of China is giving a speech to other world leaders.

2) Suddenly there is an attempted assassination dead by an unknown man.

3) Inspector Lee and Detective carter are put on the case to find the hit man. They have to travel to Paris to protect a woman who has knowledge of secrets of triad leader.

4) The Chinese criminal master mind ( the assassin) turns out to be Lee's long lost brother, during a sword fight between the two, Kenji falls from the Eiffel Tower but Reynard is still alive ... luckily carter manages to shoot him.

5) Lee and Carter walk off dancing to 'War'.