Chatman and Barthes

Chatman

Kernels: key moments in the plot / narrative structure

Satellites: embellishments, developments, aesthetics

non-sequitars: one 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

Elements that are essential to the story/plot/ development are called kernels and moments that can be removed and the story would still make sense are called satellites.

Satellites are useful to develop character, emotion, location, time.

Roland Barthes-

  • 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.

moving image products are either based around ‘doing’ / ‘action’ which is proairetic code or ‘talking’ / ‘reflection’ which is hermenuetic code.

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