Structuralism

In class we have been studying structuralism. Our lecturer gave us a set of questions to answer regarding this topic, and applying them to our own product.

What identifiable phases does your text move through?

Click below to view a Prezi I made regarding this:

http://prezi.com/htycftenwhbj/present/?auth_key=vn5zofw&follow=zdxaol4ao4cj

Does your text deliberately deny resolution, setting up enigma codes?

Roland Barthes Enigma code theory. In terms of enigma codes, the enigma code that applys to my product extremely well is the Hermenutic code.

"The Hermenutic code is where the story avoids telling the truth or revealing all of the facts in order to drop clues throughout to help create a sense of mystery"

Below is a video I have made detailing the Hermenutic code and how it applys to my product:
 

 
Does your text use recognizable character types to help audiences understand the kind of experience they are going to get?

Vladmir Propps theory or character types:

To an extent, I do agree with Propp as my product includes some of the character types however, I don't believe my product fits into the exact representation of Propps idea as not many do appear in my text.

My text does not however include a hero which could be, perhaps, regarded as strange due to the nature of a horror film. However, with my product only being a trailer, I did not feel that it was necessary to include a hero as the trailer focuses on the problems throuhgout and does not real if/when the characters are saved. This enhances the elements of mystery throughout my trailer keeping the audience on edge.

The victim character type appears in my product very often as one by one, the girls are all taken victim by the book. It is essential to my text to include the victim character role as it builds up sympathy from the audience toward the characters and enables them to become more emotionally involved. It is very clear that they become victim as their characteristics and physical appearance changes when they have had some form of contact with the book, and are possesed regardless of their efforts to stop it.

Chloe becoming possesed and falling victim.

Kate becoming possessed and falling victim. 

Sarah becoming possessed and falling victim.

Lauren becoming possessed and falling victim.

Lauren and Sarah adopt the temporary parental figure role when Kate and Chloe go missing and, without any communication with any other potential other parental roles or authoritative figures, they have to go and find their friends. This is demonstrated in the trailer when they are sitting outside and attempting to come to a solution explaining the devastating situation at hand. Lauren then states "we are going to find them Sarah" showing a 'parental figure' role and decision.

This is a still of Lauren and Sarah having a 'parental' discussion.

This is a still of Lauren making the parental decision of: "We're going to find them Sarah"