• Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure
• Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics

This theory allows students to break down a narrative into 2 distinct elements. Those elements which are absolutely essential to the story / plot / narrative development, which are known as KERNELS and those moments that could be removed and the overall logic would not be disturbed, known as SATELLITES. Think about the way satellites orbit something bigger like a planet. Satellites can therefore be thought as useful to develop character, emotion, location, time and so on, but NOT ESSENTIAL. In this way they are really useful creative elements but not essential to the story. As such, some elements may emerge and play out but actually turn out to be of little value, meaning or consequence to the overall / main parts of the narrative – these can be called non-sequitars. Nevertheless, the use of light & shade is very important in terms of constructing an effective and enjoyable narrative.

kernals- important parts of the plot that if they were taken out the plot wouldn’t make sense.

satellites- parts of the story there for aesthetic purposes, if they were taken out the plot still would make sense.

Roland Barthes: Proairetic and Hermenuetic Codes

• Proairetic code: action, movement, causation
• Hermenuetic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development
• Enigma code: the way in which intrigue and ideas are raised – which encourage an audience to want more information.

Although the words proairetic and hermenuetic may seem very complex, it is easy for students to grasp in that moving image products are either based around ‘doing’ / ‘action’ or ‘talking’ / ‘reflection’. Look at this sequence from Buster Scruggs (Dir J Coen E Coen 2018), which is basically divided into ‘some talking’ (hermenuetic codes) which leads into ‘some doing’! (proairetic codes)

Seymore Chapman:

kernels – things that the story needs to maintain a story and wouldn’t make sense if taken away

satellites – things that are part of a story but wouldn’t change much if taken away

Seymour Chatman: Satellites & Kernels

• Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure
• Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics NOT ESSENTIAL

Elements which are absolutely essential to the story / plot / narrative development, are known as KERNELS and moments that could be removed and the overall logic would not be disturbed, known as SATELLITES. As such, some elements may emerge and play out but actually turn out to be of little value, meaning or consequence to the overall / main parts of the narrative – these can be called non-sequitars. Nevertheless, the use of light & shade is very important in terms of constructing an effective and enjoyable narrative.

Roland Barthes: Proairetic and Hermenuetic Codes

• Proairetic code: action, movement, causation
• Hermenuetic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development
• Enigma code: the way in which intrigue and ideas are raised – which encourage an audience to want more information.

Seymour Chatman (Sattelites and Kernels) The idea that a story has two parts which are the important parts and the embellishments.

Kernels (something that grows): Important part(s). The key parts of the film that make up the plot/narrative structure. If taken out the story or narrative would not work.

Satellites (orbit the earth, not planets or the earth they just go around): Embellishments. A satellite can add aesthetic to the story but are not needed. ‘Fluff’

1. Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure
2. Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics

This theory allows students to break down a narrative into 2 distinct elements. Those elements which are absolutely essential to the story / plot / narrative development, which are known as KERNELS and those moments that could be removed and the overall logic would not be disturbed, known as SATELLITES.

Roland Barthes: Proairetic and Hermenuetic Codes

1. Proairetic code: action, movement, causation
2. Hermenuetic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development
3. Enigma code: the way in which intrigue and ideas are raised – which encourage an audience to want more information.

Seymour Chatman (Sattelites and Kernels)

A story has two parts: the important parts and the embellishments.

Kernels (something that grows): Important part(s). The key parts of the film that make up the plot/narrative structure. If taken out the story or narrative would not work.

Satellites (orbit the earth, not planets or the earth they just go around): Embellishments. ‘A bit of fluff’. Add aesthetic to the story but are not needed, however is a way to bulk out the movie and as moving images are time based manipulation of time is needed but manipulation of time is needed for any kind of production e.g. time of podcast so are in fact important. To add detail to setting or character

Roland Barthes: Proairetic and Hermenuetic Codes

Proairetic code: Doing/action, movement, causation

Hermeneutic code: Talking (dialogue), thinking, reflection. character development

Enigma code: Makes film/moving image exciting, intrigues audiences. Leaves clues out for the audience, encourage audience to want more info