2. NARRATIVE THEORIES
Todorov’s Theory
• His theory follows the very simple idea shown below:
EQUILIBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM NEW EQUILIBRIUM
Vladimir Propp
• Decided on a series of stock characters that are in every film:
PROTAGONIST, ANTAGONIST, DONOR, PRINCESS, HER FATHER,
DISPATCHER, FALSE HERO, HELPER.
• He analysed a series of Russian fairy tales which can be applied to
pretty much any film.
Claude Levi-Strauss
• Stated that our understanding of particular words derive not from their
actual meaning, but from their opposite. For example, out
understanding of the word hero, is driven by it’s opposite being a
villain. This is referred to as ‘binary opposites’.
• Some other binary’s include the youth/age binary, the
masculinity/femininity binary, the good/evil binary and so on.
4. VISUAL CODES
(MISE – EN – SCENE)
The mise – en – scene in a film trailer is usually used to highlight
to the audience the type of genre that they actual film is going
to be. Certain aspects of the trailer will also indicate the
storyline to the audience so that they get a general outline of
the plot.
Throughout the trailer for 500 Days of Summer there are many different
aspect of mise-en-scene that would indicate to the audience that it is a
romance and drama. For example, the way that the characters look at
each other through their facial expressions emotions and also through their
body language, gives us a pretty good idea of the fact that it is going to be
about two people and a relationship between them which connotes
typical stereotypical ideas of dramas and romances.
5. MORE VISUAL CODES
Other very stereotypical scenarios are portrayed in the trailer, such as the
location of the film which is in New York, the city that drama films and
romance films are tend to be based around, even when they’re not, they
are still somewhat loosely based around the idea of New York.
The lighting of the trailer is very bright in nearly every scene to replicate the
type of emotion in the actual film. This is important because if it was darker
it would give off a more mysterious and scary vibe which is obviously not
what the genre would show.
The props used as well as the costumes and make-up are all very normal
and natural to give a sense of verisimilitude that the drama genre requires.
Nothing looks out of place and as though it shouldn’t be there which shows
that the genre will not be something out of the ordinary such as fantasy
and sci-fi films.
6. AUDIO CODES
(NARRATION, DIALOGUE, SOUNDTRACK, DIAGETIC AND NON-DIEGETIC)
The various audio codes in the trailer usually replicate the genre
through the music in the background which tends to be light
hearted and not necessarily fast paced. The dialogue and
narration is also very laid back to continue with the sense of
verisimilitude that the aspects of mise-en-scene give off.
The narration in the trailer is much more like a voiceover, only narrating
certain parts of the trailer to add to the overall effect that the trailer gives
off. The voiceover in this particular trailer gives us a little bit of information
about what the trailer is going to be about. The narrator plainly tells the
audience that it is not a movie about love even though we know that there
is an aspect of love and romance in the actual film due to the information
in the rest of the trailer. The dialogue is an indication of the genre through
the very normal conversations and tones that the characters are using. The
soundtrack is also a good indication because there is very low key music
playing in the background that would replicate the type of genre.
7. NARRATIVE CODES
(REFERRING BACK TO NARRATIVE THEORY)
• The film 500 Days of Summer, like many other films,
follows Todorov’s theory when building the storyline.
Everything seems to be going well with a strong sense of
equilibrium and then something happens half way
through that disrupts this equilibrium. At the end of the
film a new equilibrium is formed which is slightly different
to the way some action films are formed as usually the
equilibrium we see in the beginning of the film is restored.
• Through creating a new equilibrium in the trailer we are
aware that a lot is going to change before we even
watch the entire film. This can be effective because it
can make the audience want to know what happens
before this new equilibrium is formed, or it can make
them not bother to find out as they know they new
ending of the film.
8. ACTION CODES
(ACTION IN THE TRAILER)
• These types of codes reflect the action that is going on in
the trailer in order for the audience to get a better idea of
what is going on without even realising that it is happening.
• Sometimes the emotion and expression and the general
look on the characters faces can give a good indication
of the type of action that is going on.
• Close-ups might suggest that there is a form of jealousy or
that something important is either happening or about to
happen.
• Other signs might also suggest that something is about to
happen, such as the music changing or the camera angle
taking a sudden drastic change of angle to show
something completely different.
9. ENIGMA CODES
SYMBOLIC CODES
This type of code is
present in almost every
single film. It cover the
basis of the idea of
cliffhangers and that
there are always little
puzzles that need to be
solved which will
eventually be resolved
by the end of the film or
right at the end of the
film.
This is usually an object,
event or action which
refers to something that
is outside of itself. This
can be highly effective
if you use it correctly
and in an interesting
way. A good example
of how this works is the
flower that represents
ET’s life.
(WHAT IS LEFT UNANSWERED)
(HIDDEN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS)
10. TECHNICAL CODES
(EDITING – PACE, GRAPHICS, EFFECTS)
• The editing techniques are used to replicate the soft
romantic nature of the film itself. A lot of the shots are
over – the – shoulder shots which gives us a much more
personal approach to the film. This is important for a
drama/romance film because it makes us feel like we
can relate more to the film itself. They are edited
together to create a conversation that makes us feel like
we are actually watching their conversation in first
person.
• The pace of the trailer is not necessarily very fast as the
slow pace that we see is reflecting on the relationship
that we are following in the story.
• There aren’t that many effects in the trailer because I
think that it works a lot better when it is more simple.
One effect that is used is the fading between some of
the shots to show the lightheartedness of the film itself.
12. VISUAL CODES
(MISE – EN – SCENE)
• The aspects of the trailer and the entire film, gives of a
very extravagant vibe through the mise-en-scene.
• Every detail for the time period has been looked at very
closely and everything adds to the whole outcome of
the film.
• The costumes in particular make the film what it is. The
flapper costumes that we see at the parties are essential
to making us understand the time period. The locations
as well are also very important as it indicates to us where
it is that the film is set. In this case we can see that the
film is set in 1920s New York.
• The extravagant lifestyle of Gatsby is also portrayed
through the props such as the car that he drives and
everything inside of his house. This is important because I
establishes to the audience that he is a rich character
that we need to pay attention to.
13. AUDIO CODES
(NARRATION, DIALOGUE, SOUNDTRACK, DIAGETIC AND NON-DIEGETIC)
• The soundtrack to this movie is probably one of the main
aspects of the trailer to showcase the film. The songs
that are used in the trailer have a sense of the 1920s
which again indicates the time period to the audience.
The editor has decided to alternate between different
types of music. For instance the trailer starts off with
average paced music which a lot of sound effects such
as cars racing and dialogue to put emphasis on the
characters. The music then stops to highlight a dramatic
scene and then the music slows down and puts more
emphasis on the love in the movie. This is important so
that the audience understands that the movie also has
a very strong indication of love throughout it.
• The voiceover throughout the trailer is told by one of the
main character which I think is very effective at enticing
the audience because it shows the connection
between the two main characters.
14. NARRATIVE CODES
(REFERRING BACK TO NARRATIVE THEORY)
• The Great Gatsby follows two of the theories that I
have looked at, including Todorov’s theory and
Vladimir Propp’s idea of the stock characters. There
are clear indications of all of the different stock
characters that Propp identifies in his theory which is
important because it proves that there are
stereotypical characters within the genre.
• Much like action films, Todorov’s theory is slightly
altered in The Great Gatsby due to the equilibrium
change. The equilibrium that we are faced with at
the beginning of the trailer is the same as the
equilibrium that we know to be true at the start of
the trailer.
15. ACTION CODES
(ACTION IN THE TRAILER)
• A lot of what happens in the film is portrayed through the
use of close-ups to indicate the simplicity in what is going
on. The simple conversations mimic the relationships
shown through the close-ups which I think is important
when looking at the type of action.
• Some of the more fast paced scenes such as cars
driving about are show more from a distance because it
gives off a better effect to the audience.
• Another important action sequence would be the slow
motion car accident that we are given a glimpse of in
the trailer. This would be important to take note of
because it may emphasise an important part of the
movie. The action sequence would be important
because it highlights a key aspect in the storyline.
16. ENIGMA CODES SYMBOLIC CODES
(WHAT IS LEFT UNANSWERED)
The Great Gatsby trailer contains
many enigma codes that leave
the audience on edge of their
seats which is what the trailer is
aiming to do. Enigma codes are
important to draw in the audience
and make them want to come
and see the films and there are
many in the trailer for The Great
Gatsby because of the massive
story behind it. I think that a lot of
the enigma codes that are
presented indicate to the
audience the type of movie that
they are expecting to see as well
through the various action shots of
parties and dinners that we are
shown.
(HIDDEN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS)
Some of the various ideologies that
we are faced with surrounding signs
and symbols, indicate to the
audience a wide variety of different
things that we should consider. For
example, the costumes and props
that are used throughout the
film/trailer are a hidden sign for the
power and authority that they hold.
If we didn’t understand this term
then there wouldn’t be a way that w
could identify them. It is also
important to have hidden signs and
symbols to leave the audience
wondering and pondering on the
idea of different scenarios.
17. TECHNICAL CODES
(EDITING – PACE, GRAPHICS, EFFECTS)
• The editing that is used in the trailer replicates the drama
that we are presented with. We are shown a variety of
fast paced shots and cuts that match the action that is
going on in the scene and then there are more subtle
fades when we get into watching the relationship unfold
which I think is a really interesting way of showing the
differences in throughout the film.
• The pace of the trailer generally takes on quite a slow
demeanor to replicate the style that the movie is trying
to represent.
• The graphics and effects are highly important in this
movie as they are trying to show a 1920s environment,
which is obviously going to be somewhat hard to do
when you are in the 21st century. However, they have
managed to re-create a good location and it makes the
movie a lot more believable.
19. VISUAL CODES
(MISE – EN – SCENE)
• There are many different aspects to look at in this
particular film/trailer due to it being majorly based
around class and status differences which is usually
represented in a visual way, such as, through the use of
clothing, props, hair and make-up.
• In particular the codes that are shown through the
clothing that the characters are wearing is important
because it emphasises the differences in the characters.
The clean cut woman and the shabby young boy is
unusual and it captures the relationship perfectly.
• The lighting is another aspect due to their being brightly
lit areas in the richer parts of the film and then the
lighting changes to being a lot darker in the poorer
areas.
20. AUDIO CODES
(NARRATION, DIALOGUE, SOUNDTRACK, DIAGETIC AND NON-DIEGETIC)
• The narration throughout the trailer is very
inspirational and it makes you think a lot about the
storyline behind the movie which I think is important
when you are trying to entice an audience.
• The dialogue is very laid back and it is as though
you are listening to a real life conversation which I
think is important in a film like this in order for various
points to be made about the background of the
movie.
21. NARRATIVE CODES
(REFERRING BACK TO NARRATIVE THEORY)
• Narrative Theory in the film follows a simple ideology to
Todorov’s theory which is the general idea that most
drama films tend to follow as it is the best way to keep
the audience involved. I think that it is a god way of
showing narrative in this film due to the amount of
substance that we are presented with.
• There are also some aspect of Propp’s theory in regards
to the ‘stock’ characters that we are presented with.
There are all types of characters that are trying to disrupt
or help.
• There are many other ideas surrounding narrative theory
that may or may not play a role in this movie, but these
are the main two that tend to play a role, particularly in
drama films.
22. ACTION CODES
(ACTION IN THE TRAILER)
• The action in the film is not that fast paced due to
the realistic approach that the creators of the
movie were going for. There are some scenes that
involve a little more action than others but it is
shown in a bad way and in a very realistic way.
• The general idea behind all of the action in the
movie is to keep it down tempo to keep the
audience feeling like they can relate to a movie.
When an audience is watching a drama movie,
they tend to want to be able to relate to the
storyline, which is the main factor that the creators
have to focus on.
23. ENIGMA CODES SYMBOLIC CODES
(WHAT IS LEFT UNANSWERED)
Enigma codes in the trailer are
presented in such a way, leaving
the audience wanting to know
how things happen and what
happens as a result.
There are many different ways in
which the enigma codes are
presented to the audience in the
trailer. There are some scenarios
that we see a glimpse of in the
trailer but we are left to wonder
what happens after it, leaving a
cliffhanger type ending which is
what producers tend to want to
leave in a trailer to make the
audience see the actual film.
(HIDDEN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS)
There may not be that many signs
and symbols in this film as the idea
that is trying to be put across does
not require the technique.
The idea behind the movie
(originating from a true story), us
simply trying to get the storyline
across with no hidden meanings.
This is important to recognise
because it changes some of the
more in depth areas we look at in
films such as the hidden signs and
symbols.
Everything in this movie is purely
based around storytelling.
24. TECHNICAL CODES
(EDITING – PACE, GRAPHICS, EFFECTS)
• There are many different technical codes in the film, like
in many films, to keep the audience watching. Editing
techniques to replicate what is going on in the film is
done really well in this film/trailer. When there is a low
key scene when everything I going well, there are more
fade shots and longer sequences whereas when there is
more action, it is matched by sharp jump cuts, again to
replicate the activity.
• The pace of the movie is quite slow, however it works
because of the actual story behind the film. Despite this,
the pace does pick up when disequilibrium forces
everything to speed up.
• The editing and graphics are also important as it
emphasises differences in characters and also gets more
of the storyline across in different ways.
