Tzetan Todorov
Todorov’s theory fits adequately to this trailer. This is
because it displays each stage loosely as described by the Bulgarian
structuralist linguist except reinstate equilibrium, with the first staged
being the equilibrium. Although the trailer fits the theory it isn’t displayed
in the right order, as we are introduced with a dark house and a quick series
of shots which suggest a previous deceased family. This is conventional of
horrors to have a non-linear approach to editing. We are then issued with a few
shots to present the family and set the storyline, but this is a minority of
the trailer. The disruption is then presented by a mysterious box, full of
video reels found in the attic. Once again, following the majority of horror
narratives; trying the repair the disruption and reinstate equilibrium. This is
shown as the Father of the family burns the videos and suggests they move
immediately.
Vladimir Propp
Propp’s theory doesn’t fit to this trailer very well as
the character roles only apply to 5 of the 8 roles identified by Vladimir
Propp. The most obvious character role
is the hero/ protagonist, because from the trailer we establish the story seems
to rotate around him mostly. Furthermore, the villain must be as they call him
‘Bagul’, this is because he is typically been given a dark and ugly appearance,
it is also reinforced by the factor that ‘Bagul’ is teasing the Father. The
helper could potentially be the Fathers family, because like any family does,
they support each other through the paranormal experiences. Finally, the
mysterious box could be labelled as the donor, because it does provide some
sort of magical property although its negative I could still be relatable.
Claude Levi-Strauss
There are plenty examples of binary oppositions being exhibited
in this trailer. The most predominant of them all being man and monster.
Through this binary opposition, emits the notion of known and unknown. This is
because the Father’s curiosity grows because of this unusual happening. Man and
monster can also relate to good and evil, the trailer seems to show how the
evil takes over the good people’s lives. These binary oppositions can also be
associated through one character, like this trailer conveys innocence and guilt
through the young children. Overall, Strauss’s theory is easy to relate to
sinister.
Bordwell and
Thompson
From the trailer we find out that the main reason these
unusual things are happening is because of the mysterious box with the videos
in. In Bordwell and Thompson’s views, they would say that this cause a chain of
events in a cause-effect relationship. Along the same lines as Todorov, they
believe that a narrative begins with one situation, then a series of changes in
the pattern of cause and effect, which results in a new situation. From this
description, it is easy to say this trailer fits well with this theory. In
context, we are shown a normal family to which the Father finds some videos,
which spark off a sequence of unexplainable events leading to a new
situation. 