The document discusses different types of narrative enigmas or hermeneutic codes that are commonly used in thriller films. It defines the hermeneutic code as questions left unanswered at the beginning of a film that are important to the plot. Some examples of hermeneutic codes given are who the murderer is in a crime thriller or why the antagonist is wearing a mask. The document also discusses using proairetic codes, which involve foreshadowing future dramatic actions, to build suspense and tension in narratives. It provides an example of including a proairetic code in the opening sequence by having the antagonist text the protagonist to meet, hinting he is the next victim of serial killings.

1. Geraint Padfield and Edward Dew
narrative CODES.

2. HERMENEUTIC CODE
The narrative code i am looking at is the ‘Hermeneutic’ code, also known
as narrative enigmas. These are questions that are left unanswered
earlier on in a film which are later answered. This method of pulling the
audience into the movie is a common convention of the Thriller genre. An
example is in a crime thriller, where the murder may take place at the
beginning by a masked antagonist. Therefore the Hermeneutic code is
who the murderer is or why is he masked?

3. Types of Hermeneutic
codes:
The snare- this is a deliberate avoidance of the truth, implying something
to the audience that will later deceive them because they have been sent
down the wrong path by the narrative.
Partial answers- This reveals a partial bit of the truth, which is used to
build tension and suspense for the audience.
Equivocation- this is a slight bit of the truth, combined with a snare,
further creating suspense as the audience don’t know what to believe.
Jamming- this suggests to the audience that the enigma may be
unsolvable.

4. There are many narrative enigmas in our movie.
Firstly, the audience will want to know why our
antagonist (Callum Quinn) is murdering these
people. Another is why has our antagonist picked
the protagonist (Geraint Padfield) as his next victim.
A few others include why our antagonist keeps a
book including news reports of his victims and
whether the victim is dead.
Hermeneutic codes in our
opening sequence:

5. Proairetic Codes
• The proairetic code is when a sequence contains actions that suggest
that further actions will take place, similar to foreshadowing. It can
also be called the action code. An example of the proairetic code is if
two characters dispute and then one character says to a separate
character that he wants to get revenge. This is suggesting to the
audience that further, dramatic action will take place. This creates
suspense and tension as the audience is waiting for this to happen
and this is entertaining.

6. In our sequence we have tried to include proairetic code as we recognize
it is a key factor for entertainment and also a generic pleasure of thrillers.
An example of the proairetic codes we will include will be the text that the
antagonist sends asking him to meet him. He has already revealed that
‘Geraint’ is the next victim of his serial killings. Therefore, they will have
suspense and tension will be created as they know this is happening and
can’t do anything to stop it. it also means that in the climax of our
sequence when the antagonist is following the victim, the excitement is
enhanced as they know he is planning something brutal.