Barthes Codes

Look at narrative link. Select a film opening of your choice and apply Barthes' 5 narrative codes.

Blade Runner

1.  Identify the key actions within the opening - what kinds of actions are included and how is the narrative moved forward?

To start with there is simply writing for the audience to read, then they key actions were of the city in the night time where buildings are alight. Some sort of space ship is seen flying out of it and more explosions are happening. An eye suddenly appears and then spotlights from out of the city. The camera then switches from a massive buildings to a man standing in a dark, misty room.

2.  Identify the enigma codes within the opening - what kinds of questions are posed and how is the audience meant to read these codes?

Questions such as; what is this about? What is this information im reading? What has it got to do with anything? Why are the buildings on fire? Could they possibly be being blown up? Why is there a spaceship? What is it doing? Where is it going? What has it done? Is there a war? What’s the eye doing? Whose eye is this? Are they in control of what’s happening? Why are they simply just watching? What are the two beaming lights? What building is this? Is it significant? Who’s inside? Who’s this man? Where is he? Is he trapped in the building?

3.  Identify key characters and think about what they represent in the opening

There is only one character shown and it is towards the end of the clip. He is simply standing in a dark room leaning on a chair with a moving fan. The room is misty and all of the objects are simply silhouettes. It represents nothing except form enigma and leaving the audience asking nothing but who is he and what is his purpose.

4. Interpret the cultural codes in the opening.  What kind of knowledge is being drawn on? Social/historical/political/art and culture etc.  Highlight the 3 most important references in the opening that help with audience understanding.

The cultural codes mainly being shown is the future. Firstly it says it is based in 2019 which firstly is ‘a big hint’ also the fact space ships are shown in it is another major hint for the film being set in the future.

Analysing AS Opening Sequence

Level 4: 48 – 60 marks

There is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

• Material appropriate for the target audience conventions
• Using titles appropriately according to institutional conventions
• Using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set
• Shooting material appropriate to the task set, including controlled use of the camera, attention to framing, variety of shot distance and close attention to mise-en-scene
• Using editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer and making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions and other effects.

Level 3: 36 - 47 marks

Proficient

Level 2: 24 – 35 marks

Basic

Level 1: 0 – 23 marks

Minimal

The Edge

• Fitted into target audience – sustained throughout (male age 16 -25)
• Titles were really good and professional – clearly good software
• Music fitted genre and also what was going on
• Transitions (excellence) and shots were really thought through and clear
• Pace was to a T – builds up and matches the action on screen
• However… some of the titles went far too quickly – not enough time for the audience to read
• Editing, titles and music all appealing to target audience
• Not enough use of diagetic sound

Level 4 ( 54 marks)

Preliminary Task Feedback

Prelim Feedback on Prezi