Roland Barthes developed a concept that every narrative is interwoven with five codes that

drive one to maintain interest in a story. The first two codes involve ways of creating suspense
in narrative, the first unanswered questions, the second by anticipation of an action's
resolution. This theory can be used to analyse music videos in how and what each thing
represents.
1.
Hermeneutic
/ enigma
code.
This code
refers to
mystery
within a
text. Clues
are dropped,
but no clear
answers are
given.
Enigmas
within the
narrative
make the
audience
want to know
more.
Unanswered
enigmas tend
to frustrate
the audience.
2.
Proairetic/Action
code.
This code contains
sequential
elements of action
in the text.
Proairetic
elements add
suspense to the
text.
3.Semantic
code.
This code
refers to
parts within
the
text that
suggests or
refers to
additional
meanings.
Elements of
the semantic
code are
called
Semes. The
seme has a
connotative
function in
the text. It
has an extra
layer of
meaning
in addition to
its literal
meaning.
4.Symbolic
code
This code is
about
symbolism
within the
text. It
exercises
opposites to
show
contrast and
create
greater
meaning,
creating
tension,
drama and
character
development.
5.Referential
code
This code
refers to
anything in
the text
which refers
to an external
body of
knowledge
such as
scientific,
historical
and cultural
knowledge.
Propp:
Vladimir Propp, was a Russian critic. He identified a theory about characters and actions as
narrative functions. According the Vladimir Propp, characters have a narrative function; they
provide a structure for a music video. According the Vladimir Propp, characters have a narrative
function; they provide a structure for the text. The characters Propp found typically were:
1. The Hero - a character that seeks something.
2. The Villain - who opposes or actively blocks the heros quest.
3. The Donor - who provides an object with magical properties.
4. The Dispatcher who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
5. The False Hero who disrupts the heros success by making false claims.
6. The Helper who aids the hero.
7. The Princess acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plots.
8. Her Father who acts to reward the hero for his effort. In a struggle scene Vladimir
Proppsuggested this theory:* There is a struggle between thehero and the villain. The hero is
branded.
9. The villain is overcome. The state of disorder is settled. And the recognition scene:
-At this stage in the film the hero is recognised. (an action film, like
superman)
-Or the false hero or villain is unmasked. (a horror film scene)
-As well as the false hero could be punished in this scene. (a cops and robbers scene)
-Or the hero attains the reward (princess/ kingdom).. and they live happily ever after. (a
fairytale) Propps character theory is apparent throughout the film Stormbreaker.
As a group we decided that we will use some of Propp's character theory in our thriller.

Todorov in 1969 produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to any music
video. He believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern. They all went through
stages called the equilibrium, disequilibrium, acknowledgement, solving and again equilibrium.
There are five stages the narrative can progress through:
1. Equilibrium
The story always starts with an equilibrium. The "Equilibrium" is the everyday norm which a
person or people's lives follows. This is the first stage of the theory.
2. Disequilibrium
The second stage of the theory is the disruption of the equilibrium. Therefore, this means the
main protagonists discover there is a problem that needs fixing.
3. Recognition of the Disequilibrium
The third stage of the theory is the recognition of the interruption of the Equilibrium. Therefore
this means the main protagonists discover there is a problem that needs fixing.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
The fourth stage is where there is an attempt to resolve the problem by the protagonist and to
repair the situation they face. The main 'action' will take place at this point in the narrative.
5. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium
The final stage is when there is either a resolve in the disequilibrium and we then go back to the
old equilibrium or there is a new equilibrium.