Applying Theory to 'Fixation'

LEVI-STRAUSS - BINARY OPPOSITES
Levi-Strauss believed that all themes and elements in a story are paired in opposites. In the opening sequence of 'Fixation,' some of these can be identified:

• Normality vs Abnormality (Katie Jones appears to be quite normal, whereas the murderer is obviously disturbed)
• Good vs Evil (You cannot tell whether or not Katie Jones is a 'good' character or not, as not much is revealed about her, but she is wearing a pink dressing gown and talks in a quiet voice which suggests she is quite innocent. The murderer on the other hand is clearly evil as he has planned to murder her and has murdered others)
• Warm vs Cold (The murderer seems very cold and emotionless, as he is wearing plain colours like black and white, whereas Katie Jones is wearing a warm, pink dressing gown)

PROPP - CHARACTER TYPES

In the opening sequence only two characters are identified

1. Villain - Murderer (You can tell that he is the villain as he has killed people and it is obvious that he is goign to carry on killing)
2. Victim - Katie Jones (She doesn't really fall into any of Propps character categories as she is just one poerson in a line of victims)

BARTHES - ACTION AND ENIGMA CODES

An action code is an action that leads onto another action in order to create suspense. An enigma code is where a question is raised by either an event or a camera shot.

Action codes in opening sequence of 'Fixation'

• Murderer knocking on front door
• Murderer hitting Katie Jones' head against a wall
• Murderer putting his tie on

Enigma codes in openign sequence of 'Fixation'

• Why does the man have a photo of a woman?
• What does the burning of the photo symbolise?
• What position is he marking on the map?
• Who is going to open the door that he is knocking on?
• Is Katie Jones still alive when she hits her head?
• What is he going to do with her?

TODOROV - NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

I cannot apply Todorov's Narrative structure theory to my sequence because it is only the first two minutes of the film, and his theory applies to the whole film. His theory is that a film starts with an equilibrium, which is then disrupted by an event, there will then be failed atempts at a resolution before it is achieved. The film then ends with a new equilibrium.