Barthes' Narrative Codes

Roland Barthes' Narrative Codes

Action Code
The audience will recognise an action code, as it indicates what is the next logical step. For example, the packing of a suitcase symbolises that the person is about to leave. In my Preliminary task, I used action code by somebody walking in a door, symbolising that you will see that person leave the room.

Mystery Code
This code is used to explain that you think you will find an answer if keep watching. It grabs the audience's interest and attention as it draws them in to keep watching. For example, somebody is holding a bloody knife, and there is a body on the floor; it draws you in as you want to find out who did it, and why. In our preliminary piece we used mystery code through showing the wrong document being given, this draws you in to find out why the document is needed.

Semic Code
Symbols are used to show meanings and a narrative through signs, for example in this picture the 'A' in the circle symbolises anarchy, and foreshadows what is to come.

The Cultural Code

This makes the narrative to make sense, and show the cultural and social atmosphere that should be created during the film. In my preliminary task we showed the scene to be in an office, showing the mood of the film (formal).

Code of Opposite

This code refers to a narrative that shows binary opposites, for example black vs white, male vs female. In my preliminary we used male vs female, and in this case the woman (playing the antagonist) outwits the man (playing the protagonist). 



These also link into our  main task. We would use things such as semic codes in our thriller as they are a key convention of a thriller, and entices the viewer in as it foreshadows what may be coming. In our thriller we could also use mystery code, because the 2 minute opening will make them want to keep watching, as they feel they will find an answer if they do so.