2. +
Barthes’ Enigma Code
Is a theory that suggests a text portrays a mystery in
order to engage the audience, pose unanswered
questions and generally become intrigued. For
example: a murder mystery would not reveal the
killer at the beginning, it is usually towards the end
where his identity is revealed. This is poses the
unanswered question of “Who is the murderer?”
throughout the story.
3. +
Todorov’s Narrative Theory
His theory basically states that the majority of story’s or plot lines
follow the same pattern or path. There are 5 steps:
1. Equilibrium – The first part of the story will display a happy start,
where the majority of the characters are content and everything
is as it should be.
2. A Disruption – The second part of the story will feature a
problem or something will disrupt the happiness.
3. Realisation – This is the part of the plot when everyone realises
the problem and it is chaos.
4. Restored Order – This part of the plot is when the characters
attempt to repair the damage and restore the problem.
5. Equilibrium Again – This is the final part of the plot where the
problem is resolved and normality can resume again.
4. +
Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Visual Codes: The visual codes essential in order to display setting
and to set the tone of the video. The video begins with a shot of a car
driving up towards a mansion. Shot-reverse-shot displays the male
character outside of the mansion, and the female inside. The house is
very luxurious with a grand stair case, a giant table covered with food
and paintings along the walls – this displays the wealth of the character.
Props such as the knife, scissors, golf clubs and the apple explore the
theme of insanity throughout the course of a breakdown in a relationship.
However, the theme is explored in a more humorous manner rather than
a serious one – therefore displaying the light-hearted music video that it
is. The costumes also add to the fact that the characters are wealthy and
lead a luxurious lifestyle. Taylor is seen walking down the stairs in a tight
fitting long dress, another long black dress that flows in the wind, and the
male character wears a bow tie and suit.
5. + Audio Codes: Some music videos may include other audio codes
such as dialogue, diegetic or non-diegetic sounds, however this video
only contains the actual song as its audio. Although some songs may
be included in a TV drama or a film to set the tone, for example, with a
music video it is only there to allow audiences to have a distinct
connection with the song and the actions taking place. The audio of
the song may also be essential to help the audience to understand the
plot a lot better.
Narrative Codes: In this music video, it does in fact follow Todorov’s
Narrative Theory to some extent. The two characters appears to have
a happy equilibrium until she catches him cheating – a disruption.
Realisation takes place when Taylor goes insane and begins causing
chaos in order to get revenge. When he leaves, the order has been
restored. So there can be a happy equilibrium again when Taylor
meets the new guy.
6. + Action Codes: Are significant events which more the narrative
in particular direction. The knock at the door is an action that
begins the narrative. Being a music video, there is not many
actions in which change the direction of the narrative. Taylor
removes her sunglasses when she catches him cheating – this
changes the narrative into a negative direction. Also, when the
second guy knocks on the door, the narrative changes again
because Taylor goes from looking insane, to being well pull
together.
Enigma Codes: With this video in particular, there are no
enigma codes because you visually see the breakdown of the
relationship and what caused this breakdown. There are no
questions posed because they are all answered through the
narrative. Some could argue that the lack of enigma code could
possibly not attract or hook in the audience.
7. + Technical Codes: Technical codes include the editing, the
camerawork and the shot types used within the video. The
overall video for Blank Space has clearly been shot by
professional camera men as each shot looks neat, and looks
like it has been specifically set up in such a perfect way. The
colours of the shots all have a bright tone to them which does
in fact conform to the pop genre of music video’s. The pace of
the video varies throughout, simply because it is usually
supposed to match the pace of the music. So when the pace of
the song picks up, the editing pace will also increase. The
editing also seems to cut from shot to shot so the narrative fits
along with the song lyrics. A variety of different shot types have
been used to tell the narrative. This makes it more interesting
and means that audiences are less likely to get bored.
8. +
Take A Bow - Rihanna
Visual Codes: The video begins with a tilting shot of the artist.
Slow R&B songs usually have a dark tone for the music video
as this evokes emotion – Take A Bow conforms to this. R&B
songs which are usually about breakups tend to take place in a
plain black room which will probably have minimal items within
the room. These types of songs tend to have the artist as the
main focal point, therefore a lot of close up shots are used to
display the characters expressions. This really allows
audiences to fully engage in every word the artist is singing.
Woman in R&B music videos normally have flawless makeup,
this is because they tend to display themselves as being
perfect in the eyes of the audience. The visual imagery also
matches the lyrics of the song, “standing
outside my house” – a shot displays the
male character standing outside her house.
9. + Audio Codes: Again, this video only contains the actual song
as its audio. Although some songs may be included in a TV
drama or a film to set the tone, for example, with a music video
it is only there to allow audiences to have a distinct connection
with the song and the actions taking place. The audio of the
song may also be essential to help the audience to understand
the plot a lot better.
Narrative Codes: I would not say that Take A Bow follows
Todorov’s narrative theory. His theory relies on the equilibrium,
then a problem being resolved so equilibrium can occur again.
However, this is not a happy song. There is no equilibrium and
therefore it does not conform to Todorov’s theory. The narrative
displays the male character desperately trying to win back his
girl. However, she is not taking any of it. He’s clearly made a
mistake that he proud and should ‘take a bow’ for. She gets in a
car and drives out past him, he chases her but she does not
want any of it, “its all over now”.
10. + Action Codes: As it is just a music video, there are not as
many action codes in which change the direction of the
narrative. The male character rings the door bell which leads
her walking towards her door, however she does not let him in.
She text’s him, telling him to cover over to her house, when he
arrives, she is sat there ready to set his pile clothes on fire.
Enigma Codes: Like Blank Space, there are no enigma codes
in Take A Bow because you visually see the breakdown of the
relationship and what caused this breakdown. Even the lyrics
confirm what has happened; “You were only sorry you got
caught” – this implies that the male character had in fact
cheated on her. And of course he tries to get her back, but she
does not want a cheater as a boyfriend.
11. + Technical Codes: This video is technically quite simplistic. The
use of a dark background and lighting just on the artist makes
her stand out and engage with audiences. A tilting shot begins
the video, and these types of shots are quite popular with
female characters. The editing of the video remains with quite a
slow pace because the song itself is constantly at a slow pace
– so it matches. There’s fades used to transition into other
shots because it just a softer way rather than just cutting to the
next shot. I do like how the editing continuously cuts to the
artist singing directly to the camera, I feel like this completely
connects the audience with the artist and what they’re singing.
12. +
Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
Visual Codes: The opening shot of Miley is an extreme close
up of her face. As she is looking directly into the camera this
builds a connection between her and the audience, known as
‘Spectacle’, making the music video feel more personal for the
audience as she expresses her emotions. In the explicit version
of this video, Miley is completely naked. This represents how
raw the video is. The props of the sledge hammer, Dr Martens
and the wrecking ball are typically associated with men as they
are extremely masculine objects - this could display the power
the character contains. The wrecking ball is used to knock
down a wall, this may represent her emotional wall that has
been knocked down.
13. + Audio Codes: Like the other two, this video only contains the
actual song as its audio. In a music audio of the song may be
essential to help the audience to understand and engage to the
plot a lot better.
Narrative Codes: The narrative begins with Miley strutting
along with a sledge hammer in her hand. As she walks out from
the walls, a wrecking ball completely destroys it. She then
begins sexually swinging on the wrecking ball, making full eye
contact with the audience. Shots then display her destructing
the wall using the sledge hammer herself. This video definitely
does not follow Todorov’s narrative theory. There is no
equilibrium within this video, which of course goes against the
idea behind his theory. I find this video does not contain as
much narrative as the other two. However, this one is a lot
more of an emotional video regarding the breakdown of
relationships.
14. + Action Codes: Miley is displayed holding a sledge hammer,
this action then leads to the destruction of the wall. She slowly
comes in swinging in on her wrecking ball, wearing a white crop
top with matching white undies. As the song picks up in pace,
Miley then comes rushing in, naked, on the wrecking ball. This
builds up the emotion behind the character.
Enigma Codes: Again, because this is a music video, there is
no enigma code. However, the reason as to why the artist is
going through a break-up is not made apparent like in the other
two. It is clear that she is going through a break up and is
therefore experiencing extreme pain emotionally.
15. + Technical Codes: This video contains a lot of extreme close
up shots on the artist face. This is effective has it shows the
extreme emotion behind the artist. In an interview, Miley said
that filming was so emotional, that there was a real tear
trembling down her face. The lighting in this extreme close up
shot is high-key with a white background, suggesting
innocence. There is a shot where the camera is attached to the
chain the shot of the wrecking ball crashing through the wall,
seeing it from this perspective creates a dramatic statement.
The song is quite slow paced, and therefore the editing
matches this pace. It does jump cut back and forth to her
swinging on a wrecking ball, to the close up shots – this is to
build up tension and emotion within the audience.
