Narrative Codes – Roland Barthes A2 Media Studies

Recap What are the five stages of narrative outlined by Todorov? What are the eight characters outlined by Propp? How can you relate narrative to genre? What is the importance of narrative for an audience?

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Barthes by applying to trailers Define the five narrative codes Work in groups to define which codes are evident in your own trailer Present application of Barthes back to the class.

Narrative Codes – Roland Barthes Narrative Flow Enigma Code Action Code Narrative Detail Semic Symbolic Cultural

Enigma Code Engage audiences in offering a puzzle and then delaying the answer Does not necessarily take us to the end of the film Occasionally enigmas are not answered

“What happened to Harriet?”

Action Code An event that has a series of logical consequences Helps the audience comprehend where the narrative is going

Django draws his gun

Semic Code Connotations suggested by characters, objects and settings Can help an audience recognise genre

How do we recognise genre?

Symbolic Code Narratives are about conflict between opposing forces Forces often represent binary oppositions Hero = Good Villain = Bad Representation leads to ideological function

Hobbits v Orcs

Cultural Code Refers to knowledge audiences bring to a film Spoofs require audiences to know which films are being referenced

Django & Django Unchained

Task Using the five narrative codes outlined in the previous slides, work in groups to apply each of the codes to your own trailer and present this in a PowerPoint Take screen grabs from you work to illustrate each code visually Be prepared to present your ideas back to the class You will have 30 minutes to complete this task

Summary Using your mobile write a Twitter summary of what you have learned from today’s lesson Send the tweet to @A2_Media What does Barthes offer your study of narrative that Propp and Todorov does not?