Media Language Flashcards
Propp’s Character Types
The protagonist/hero (the character around whom the action revolves)
The antagonist/villain (opposes the hero)
The dispatcher/boss (send the hero on the quest)
The helper/sidekick (aids the hero)
The donor/fairy godmother (gives the hero advice or a useful object)
The princess/the girl (motivation & reward for the hero)
The false hero/the betrayer (often a helper who turns on the hero & is punished)
Todorov’s Narrative Structure
Todorov’s Narrative Structure
Barthes’ Action and Enigma Code
Action Code: building the storyline through an action
Levi Strauss
Binary Opposites
Richard Dyer’s Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s Star Theory
Non-verbal Codes
Gesture
Mannerisms
Clothing
Casting
Shots
Establishing shot
Long shot
Wide shot
Mid shot
Extreme close up
Close up
Mid close up
Eye-level
Bird’s eye view
High angle
Low angle
Dutch tilt
Diegetic and Non-diegetic Sound
Diegetic: a sound that comes from within a scene (talking)
Non-diegetic: a sound that is added on during the editing process (soundtrack)
Leitmotif
An associated melodic phrase or sound that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation (symbol)