Narrative Theories
TRANSFORMERS 1
Enigma and Action Codes - Roland Barthes
The enigma codes used in this
extract vary from the audience wondering where the soldiers are going/coming
from and why to what the predator is and why everyone is so worried about the
what they are seeing. All of this keeps the audience engaged and allows them to
be fully focused on what is going to happen in the narrative.
The action codes in this scene
are mainly used to drive the action in the narrative. Such as when the captain
orders the predator and we see a missile rapidly approaching the battlefield
this suggests to the audience that a bomb has been deployed and the impact will
have some sort of effect on the story line. Another use of when the director
uses action codes to drive action in the narrative is when there is a shot of a
pilot climbing into a cockpit and around him other soldiers sprinting to leave
the base, this suggests to the audience that all these troops are going to the
battlefield. All of this is necessary as the film as a linear pattern
narrative.
Todorov:
equilibrium
Equilibrium: The troops arrive at the battlefield in good
spirits and ready for their task, unaware of what awaits then
Disruption: The army base is informed about the troops
predicament and that there are survivors at the battlefield and an
unidentifiable enemy. So, they begin to panic and form a plan to help the
troops.
Recognition: When the army base is informed about the decipticon
by the troops they begin to understand the scope of the situation and
immediately start sending troops and backup. But they also confused about how
it got there, what it is and why it is and this is conveyed to the audience.
Reparation: The situation begins to become repaired when the
army base send for back up and deploys a large missile called 'the predator'.
However even when this is deployed there is still a sense of fear among all of
them.
New Equilibrium: The backup and 'the predator' diffuse the situation
as the decipticon becomes injured and retreats from the battlefield but there
is one soldier that is seriously injured.
Character theory: Propp
The Villain: The villain in this scene is the decipticon in the
dessert
The Donor: The people at the army base are the donors as the
provide a solution and a way out.
The Helper: The helpers would be all the backup that was sent as they aided the hero
in restoring a resolution.
The Princess: There is no princess in this scene. However, the
heroes could also double as one as they are in need of help.
The Hero: The hero in this scene is the sergeant of the
troops as they are defending the base from the decipticon and everyone is
trying to help.
LUTHER
Enigma and Action Codes - Roland Barthes
There is
a large amount of enigma codes in this scene as it is a action scene with a
large amount of dialogue, which always creates a large amount of questions for
the audience. The audience want answers to why the characters are in this
situation, who they are and how they got into this situation. When Ian asks
Luther what he has been told and there is clear confusion on Luther’s face the
audience begin to question the situation more and there seems to be a deeper
meaning. However, before the audience can fully process this what seems to be
the original antagonist is shot. Which creates even more enigma in the
audience.
The
action codes in the scene include the emotions and reactions of the character’s
face. For example, before the antagonist is shot the camera zooms in on Ian's
face as he makes the decision then follow his eye line and the antagonist is
shot which is what the audience would have been expecting. Another use of
action code but in an extreme case is when the door is opened an Ian assumes
that he has been set up so he begins to shot, the audience would assume this
but this idea is closed when we find out is just a maid.
Todorov: equilibrium
Equilibrium:
The equilibrium in this scene is
when the antagonist is alive and Luther is being held hostage which is an
unconventional equilibrium
Disruption:
The disruption is when the
antagonist points out that Ian is a false hero and he is then shot.
Recognition:
Luther then recognises that there
is an issue and tries to calm down Ian and support him
Reparation:
When Luther convinces Ian that he
is on his side and that they can get through this.
New
Equilibrium: The new
equilibrium is once again unconvential as it ends on the fact that Ian has shot
up the hotel as he thought he had been set up
Character theory: Propp
The Villain: The villain in this scene is the man that is being
held by Luther and held at gunpoint by Ian.
The Princess: There is no specific princess, however it some
sense the princess could be the villain as the hero is trying to save him from being
killed
The Hero: The hero in this scene is Luther.
The False Hero: This scene is very effective is it uses a false
hero which captivates the audience, the false hero in this case is Ian.
THE BOONDOCKS
Enigma and Action Codes - Roland Barthes
This
scene has a small amount of enigma and action codes as it is largely based on
trivial dialogue, however there are still some enigma codes that are created,
for example how does Huey such a young boy know these facts and why is he so
confident in telling this to his grandfather.
Todorov:
equilibrium
The scene
is very simple so it only utilises the three stages of equilibrium
Equilibrium:
Huey's grandfather is crying over
a Christmas he has just finished and says 'that is what Christmas is all about'
Disequilibrium:
Huey comes in and tells his
grandfather that Christmas is actually a pagan holiday and isn’t historically
accurate.
New
Equilibrium: Huey's
grandfather ignores all that he has been told and continues with what he was
doing.
Character theory: Propp
The Villain: The villain in this situation seems to be Huey as
he is the one spoiling his grandfathers and ideals as is portrayed as almost a
kill joy
The Hero: The grandfather is presented as the hero as he
enjoying himself and getting along with his life like everyone else.
