Theories

Theories

Strauss’s Theory: Strauss suggests that in Films and TV Dramas something is shown like ‘something else’ to create a character or an idea in the audiences minds – Binary Opposition. For example in films and TV Drama’s characters that is in dark areas and in alleys are as shown as risky and dangerous. Black is a connotation of danger and death and this is used in films to show the audience who and what a character is.

Propps Theory: This theory says that in Films and TV Drama’s there are types of characters. For example there is always a villain and a hero and a helper. In Harry Potter there is the main character which like the hero and a villain he has to fight with, the helpers in this Film can be Harry Potter’s friends.


Barthes Theory: This theory says that the audience can get different ideas from a scene or a part of the film. An example for this can be a school picture. The photo can convey different things, for example it can show friendships exams and education.

Todorov: Suggests that there is always a beginning middle and end in a film or a TV Programme. Also there is a dilemma that has to be solved at the end. Crime Dramas start with a narrative and sets the scene, then it moves on to the middle were the dilemma is shown. At the end the dilemma is solved by the police and the programme ends with a good ending.

Structuralism: It’s when you analyse the narrative looking at the structure. This is based on linguistic sign system which was by Ferdinand de Saussure. An example of two films that used structuralism is that West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet had the same structures. This was that they both have two groups not liking each other and a boy and a girl.

Auteur Theory: a theory that the director is the chief creator of a film and gives it an individual style that is evident in all aspects of the finished product. Its origins are he 1960-65.

Juxtaposition: This is when a god thing is placed by a bad thing. This can things like be good and bad, an example can be shown by The Bill. There is the police and the criminals.