Media Theory

There are many suppositions and presumptions about the many connections between media and its effects on society. This known as media theory.

Thrillers make use of many theories, such as 'binary opposites' and 'enigma code'. 'Binary Opposites' is a theory developed by Levi Strauss. His theory basically states our understanding of a word or object depends on it opposing word. He named this thesis, 'binary opposites'. For example; our understanding of the word hero depends on it's opposing word enemy. This is a common trait in the movie/television entertainment industry. Although the use of theory is clear to see as it is mainly used in traditional action films, filmmakers, in recent years now aim to create less evident/more complex binary opposites as it makes films more interesting and appealing to audiences. For example in popular movie franchise 'The Twilight Saga', the plot is created in such a way that the 'Werewolves VS. Vampires' narrative is not obviously revealed.

The 'Hermeneutic Code' is a narrative theory conceived by Roland Barthes. His theory was that in any movie there was an element that is not fully revealed to the audience and thus is a mystery. He believed the motive of this was to capture the attention of the audience until the end of the story where all is revealed and a true conclusion is made. This theory is also known as the 'Enigma Code'. A prime example of this would be in  'The Dark Knight Rises', it is hinted to the audience that Batman is dead although it is never officially confirmed until the end where it is revealed that he is infact not.

The Character theory, developed by Vladimir Propp whilst analysing 100 tales, suggests that in every modern media text or production there are 7 prevalent characters which play vital roles in them.

1. The villain (struggles against the hero)
2. The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
4. The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
5. The false hero (perceived as good character in beginning but emerges as evil)
6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
7. The hero [AKA victim/seeker/paladin/winner, reacts to the donor, weds the princess

NOTE: 'Enigma' = a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation