Barthes narrative codes

Roland Bathes believed each film/story had similar structures to their narratives to help the audience keep track of the characters and their roles. Therefore, he narrowed down the action in a text into 5 codes which can be put into any film narrative:

• The Cultural/Referential code- This focuses on the audiences historical and cultural knowledge and also their beliefs and ideas for how they interpret the text.
  e.g in the film 28 days later the audience would expect slow stupid zombies from their general knowledge about zombies but instead the film challenges these conventions and surprises the audience by using fast and strong zombies.

• The Semantic code- The way in which props, settings and characters creating a meaning (iconography of the text)

• The Hermeneutic/ enigma codes-  This is where the narrative gives the audience clues about what may happen but doesn't reveal all facts in the film as this creates mystery. Sometimes this can frustrate the audience because there are unanswered enigmas. makes the audience read the text

• The action/ Proairetic code- These are signs in the film which tell us something is about to happen and it is how the tension in the film is built up to create suspense for the audience. 

• The Symbolic code- This is about symbolism in a text to create tension and show character development. It is often created though the use of antithesis to show contrast and create wider meanings of the text

Levi-Strauss

The Symbolic code links to Levi Strauss's theory of binary oppositions. Binary oppositions are meanings, themes, characters, settings and ideas which are opposite to each other for example good vs evil or male and female.

Roland Barthes theory of Enigma codes can be applied to most horror trailers for example in the film trailer for The Woman in Black:



The cultural/referential code- audiences think of the historic events in which The Woman in Black is based around because throughout the trailer it shows an old house and also at the beginning a living room which suggests it could have a sinister past.
The semantic code- old dolls, low key lighting, blood and rocking chairs are used to clearly show the genre as these are all key conventions of horror films and are used to scare the audience.
The hermeneutic/ enigma codes- There is fire featured in the trailer which foreshadows death therefore gives us clues about what may happen.
The action/ proairetic code- the trailer uses fast paced short shots with a non- diegetic chime sound to build up tension and make the audience think something is going to happen.
The symbolic code-  The trailer highlights that good vs evil will be shown throughout the film with different shots showing the antagonist in the background behind the protagonist. Also, the antagonist is wearing black which connotes death in the film.

What have I learnt and how will I use this research?
In my trailer, I will try to achieve all of these 5 codes as each one makes up a successful narrative. For example, I will try to use the cultural code as this can make the trailer seem more realistic for our audience. Also, I have learnt that the action/proairetic code and the enigma/hermenuetic code will need to be used as the psychological horror genre is all about tense scenes. I could include these codes by using fast paced shots and sound like 'The Woman in Black' and 'The Strangers' (from previous research) did as this will get the audiences hearts racing. I want to create tension within the sequence and leave the audience on the edge of their seats as again, this is what the psychological horror genre is all about. Also, after having brief thoughts about my trailer and ancillary tasks after researching general horror and psychological horror genre conventions, I want to consider including character point of view shots and fast paced shots as I think this will make the audience feel nervous for the characters as they will be looking at the antagonist from their perspective to show how much danger they'll be in. This will link to all the enigma codes as the audience will be asking questions as to what is going to happen so therefore will want to watch the whole film to find out.