Propp’s theory is the different types of character in a fairy tale genre. The theory helps plan out the different characters. In a fairy tale there are mostly 4 common characters through out the film. Hero-The main character that solves the problem during the story. Helper- The hero’s friend normally that supports and helps the hero to succeeding the mission that is set for him. Villain- The villain is the one creating the problem; the hero has to defeat the villain to succeed his mission. Princess- The princess is the reward for the hero if he completes his quest, as she needs saving from the villain. Todorov’s Theory is a narrative step by step parts to create a story. There are 5 different stages to make the story for the movie/music video that is using Todorov’s theory. 1. Equilibrium- This is the start of the video so it starts normal, the characters are happy in their everyday life and everything should be everyday life to the characters 2. Disruption- This is when a minor problem happens in the narrative that makes a certain amount of people not as happy as they were before the problem happened. 3. Realisation- This is when everyone has realised how bad the problem is and you can start to see how the problem expands and effects more people. 4. Restored Order- When the character who started or made the problem tries to solve it. 5. Equilibrium again- this is the final part of all the stages in Todorov’s theory. The problem is solved Taylor Swift-Blank Space is a example of Todorov's Theory being used. At the start of the music video their are clear signs that the couple are happy together and nothing is wrong. Then the boyfriend is seen texting someone else so all hell breaks loose and they start having arguments and fighting. At the the end the problem is solved as the boyfriend leaves her but a new boy comes and she seems to be as happy at the end as she was at the start. Levi-Strauss’ Binary Opposites is used to make the viewer have a better understanding for the storyline. The theory can also be used to throw in a little of humour into the narrative. Its when two characters have the complete opposite personallity or purpose of being in the storyline. A common example that you will see very often, especially in marvel films is good vs evil. The music video bad blood has a similar narrative to a marvel film where good vs evil is shown. The narrative is about two groups of superheroes with powers but against each other. At the start of the music video two of the superhero go their separate ways as they clearly have a fight. Throughout the music video their are all the superheroes on both sides shown by their name and a little demonstration of the unique power they have. At the end of the music video wide shots and long shots are used to show the amount of people either side group as it builds tension-i get the gesture that their is a final battle coming. With all these little techniques being used in the music video it gives the viewers a better understanding of the narrative which is Levi-Strauss’ Binary Opposites. Barthes 5 narrative codesEnigma Code- In bad blood the enigma code would be the brief case that you see at the start of the music video. this is because its a item that glimpses through out the music video and is not clearly shown in the music video so viewers are interested in why. It wouldn't be the enigma code if the brief case didn't have anything to do with the story line. The brief case is what they are fighting about because both sides of good and evil want it. The purpose of the enigma code is to build tension in the music video so you are more interested in the music video. It builds tension in the bad blood music because the brief case is the reason why they are fighting. The breif case that she is holding the screen shot is the enigma code. Action CodeA action code are little events that happen during the narrative, the purpose of this is to keep the narrative interesting to the viewers. It can also be used to tell more about the characters in the narrative so they viewers have a better understanding of what is going on in the video. These little events can be as small as a knock at the door which drifts the scene to a different problem. In the bad blood music video the action code could be when one of the girls kicks the other girl out the window. Its telling more about the characters-we now learnt from the action code that the girls do not get along. This has made viewers more interested as they are puzzled at why this mini event has happened (action code). The purpose has been used at its full potential of grabbing the viewers attention and keeping them interested. Semantic codeThe semantic code works with the cinematography and miss-en-scene to show the meaning in why/what is going on. Its like additional information being added so that the story can present certain people in a way to make them look more the part. The miss-en-scene works to set the scene of suiting the surroundings and costumes so the viewers get a better understanding. The cinematography shows off parts of the scene when the semantic code is being used.
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