Hello! A vital part of this project is incorporating elements of all I've learned in this class more specifically, incorporating media theories. These theories are vital when discussing the media sphere because they help us understand how the media we take in (whether we choose it or not) effects our thoughts, emotions, and actions as well as knowing how to interpret aspects of the media as we come across them. One media theory that I am interested in developing within this project is the Narrative Code Theory by Roland Barthes. These five codes are certain elements within films that guide a story a long whether on its own or weaved together. These codes are as follows:
- Hermeneutic or Enigma Code: when information is withheld from the viewer to create mystery. This is often seen in horror films such as the 1996 film Scream. The basis of this film is the character Sidney trying to survive the brutal attacks of the killer Ghost Face while also trying to figure out who of the people from the small town the film is set in, is the killer. When the killer is finally revealed it turns out to be her love interest, who turned out to have a vendetta against her, and someone who was thought to be the comedic relief character.
- Proairetic or Action Code: plot points that lead to other actions and keep the audience engaged with what is in store. One example of this is in 2016 Marvel film Captain America: Civil War. Within this film two major characters (Captain America and Iron Man.) have many fight sequences which leads to a sort of tension in which the audience wonders how it will be resolved as neither character is particularly seen as the "bad guy."
- Semantic Code: literal objects within a production that signify a deeper meaning. This is evident in the 1996 film The Hunch Back of Notre Dame. Within this film the protagonist Quasimodo lives in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral. There, he has made a mini model of all of Paris and folks he sees pass by. This is directly representative his want for freedom and human interaction.
- Symbolic Code: symbols in a production that represent opposition or antithesis and help to emphasize a difference in characters. For example, in the 1993 film Schindler's List a little girl is seen in a red coat. This is directly juxtaposed with the completely black and white world. The red coat represents innocence in and otherwise cruel world, riddled with war and suffering.
- Cultural Code: references to concept outside of the production. These references can be anything from historical, literary, or even pop culture. This is the code I am most interested in including in my portfolio project as I feel it would fit right into the storyline. Making pop culture references would make each of the characters feel more real and as if they are actually real highschoolers to the audience. However I do believe this has to do be done tastefully because often times in media today that follows highschoolers pop culture references feel forced and unnatural. One example of film uses pop culture references is the 2023 animated film Trolls: Band Together. Throughout this production many references are made to popular artists and bands. Here is a link to the trailer of this film which features many of the pop culture references made within the film.
Resources:
media studies. (2021, July 13). Roland Barthes’ 5 Narrative Codes | Media Studies Theory. Media Studies. https://media-studies.com/barthes-codes/
13 Films That Expertly Use Color for Symbolism and Storytelling | Entertainment. (2024). Wokewaves.com. https://www.wokewaves.com/posts/movies-that-use-color-symbolism
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