Media Theories

 Hey blog!!!

So, Arantza and I are getting a much better idea about what we want our story idea to be, which means we can start thinking of the actual content in our opening. In order to start thinking of content, we can start thinking of media theories we want to include in our project and can help us create some framework for the narrative portion of the opening. So, here I'll research and talk a bit about some media theories we are interested in integrating into our project.

Todorov's Narrative Theory of Equilibrium

The theory of equilibrium states that all films must follow a specific 3-part structure. The narrative must start with equilibrium, where a norm/routine is established showing the normal life of the protagonists in the story. However, there must be a disruption, disequilibrium, where this balance is destroyed and the characters struggle and must learn how to deal with this and move on from it. The final part of this theory is new equilibrium, where the process of actually moving on from this major event and going back to a new routine, a new balance, just with new things being accounted for is shown. 

In between these 3 parts there are minor sections which make some believe this theory is a 5-part structure. Between equilibrium and disequilibrium there's a disruption, which is the actual problem being established, while disequilibrium is seen as more of the realization and recognition of this issue, leading to the protagonists to need to change something in their life to better this aspect of it. And then in between disequilibrium and new equilibrium, is repair which is where the character begins to fix the problem and put all the pieces broken in their life back together, which means the new equilibrium is the process of moving on from this repairment to establish a new normal life.

For our opening we wanted to establish the first section of this theory, equilibrium. We would show the protagonist with her best friend excitedly riding their bikes, their main mode of transportation, and barging into one of their houses. This immediately shows how close friends they are and always have been. The reaction of the mom will help show that both girls are pretty much considered their daughters and that everything is very "normal" in their lives right now, at least in the eyes of the main protagonist. What the main character doesn't know, is that her best friend is hiding an illness that would eventually, later on in the story kill her, serving as a disruption and starting the process of disequilibrium. 

Roland Barthes' Narrative Codes- Hermeneutic/Enigma Code

Claudia as media. (n.d.). Theory of Barthes. https://claudiamccarterasmedia.weebly.com/theory-of-barthes.html

Roland Barthes argued that there are 5 narrative codes in a story that are essential for creating meaning of parts in a film/book to watchers/readers leading to audience engagement. One of these codes, and the one Arantza and I would like to incorporate into our opening, is the hermeneutic/enigma code.

The hermeneutic code is used when a narrative keeps information to itself, developing mystery and evoking curiosity among audiences. This leaves a plot point unexplained until later in the story. Watchers are left to create their own guesses and ideas of what is occurring as it is not explicitly stated already, but enough information is given for people to know that something is off.

We plan to use this as one of our protagonists is sick and hasn't told her best friend. So to let the audience know that there is something wrong in one of the protagonist's life, that the other doesn't know, we will be using symbols, object, and conversations to sort of hint that there is an illness occurring that will likely change the course of the story. In the opening specifically, we will end it with pill bottles being very clearly shown, proving that one of the main characters is in fact ill.

Sources:

Media Studies. (n.d.). Todorov’s narrative theory of equilibrium and disruption. Media-Studies.com. https://media-studies.com/todorov/

Media Studies. (n.d.). Roland Barthes’ 5 narrative codes. Media-Studies.com. https://media-studies.com/barthes-codes/