Todorov's Theory

Todorov suggested that within a text there should be a state of equilibrium and disequilibrium.
He suggested there are 5 stages with in a text where this takes place
1. Begin with a state of equilibrium (everything is as it should be and everything is equal)
2. A disruption to the equilibrium. (disequilibrium)
3.Recognition that the disorder has taken place
4 .An attempt to mend the disruption.
5. Equilibrium is restored. (new equilibrium)

Todorov argues that narrative involves a transformation and this can be in a character or a situation in a text and it is caused by disequilibrium.

We need to think about this when creating our trailer as a trailer is like a summary of the whole film and the whole film should, according to Todorov, contain these elements.

Barthe's Enigma Code

He created the idea that a text is like a tangled ball of thread. Each thread represents a viewpoint of the text. You can either pull one and create one meaning or pull a different one and create a different meaning.


With trailers, particularly teaser trailers, the meaning is not supposed to be clear. Barthe mentioned that a text can be open (unraveled in different ways). This, to me, also sounds like a trailer in that the meaning behind it can be interpreted in many different ways.


In order to fit in with the codes and conventions of a teaser trailer we need to keep this in mind.