Applying Barthes & Todorov

Roland Barthes

An example that can apply to Roland Barthes theory is 'The Phoenix' by Fall Out Boy:

• The Hermeneutic/Enigma Code (HER) - (the voice of the truth)

In the music video, Fall Out Boy are represented with a briefcase with unknown contents. Throughout this music video it is the prime subject of the music video, allowing the audience to become interested in the storyline of the music video and wanting to know what's in the briefcase. This code that Roland Barthes created is the way in which the story avoids the revealing of all the facts, therefore making the audience more interested in the storyline. This creates mystery but also drops clues as to what is inside the briefcase. 

• The Proairetic/Action Code (ACT) - (empirical voice)

In the music video, there are multiple medium shots in the beginning of lead singer Patrick looking behind him. Usually this represents paranoia and worry that someone unwanted is following him. Because the proairetic code is about the build up of tension and keeping the audience interested. This leaves the audience wanting to know what happens next - who the people are that are after Patrick or the suitcase, what's in the suitcase and whether the people who are after it will manage to get it. Another example of this is when the woman in the black mask is creeping up behind him:

• The Semantic Code (SYM)-(the voice of the person)

Sometimes this doesn't need to apply to all music videos. The Phoenix is pretty self-explanatory; a pair of mysterious women are after each band member and the suitcase that they have and this hasn't been revealed yet. However, this music video acts as a prequel to the previous music video of 'My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark' where the women have already captured the band members. The Semantic Code is usually the code in which there are multiple or different meanings to the actual denotations of the music video. There aren't really any connotations to suggest that there is an alternative meaning to the music video.

• The Cultural Code (SEM) -(the voice of science)

Again, this doesn't really apply to this music video because there is no wider knowledge of culture, ideology or morality. However, a music video about culture and morality would be Thirty Seconds to Mars' 'This Is War':

This music video is based on the concept of the wars that are currently ongoing. This makes the audience aware of the type of world that we live in. It shows the band dressed up as American soldiers patrolling the desert in an armored Humvee while showing scenes of war and leaders all while some unknown entity observes them and their action. Near the end of the video, various military vehicles (Humvees, tanks, fighter airplanes, helicopters, battleships) are flying seemingly uncontrollably above the men, towards a pile. The group's own Humvee gets sucked into the pile. The objects smashing into the pile get temporarily crushed but assume their normal un-crushed form after a second. As the camera shows the forming pile from afar, it is revealed that it forms into a huge pyramid, hovering over the desert.

Tzvetan Todorov

An example of Todorov's theory is in Michael Jackson's infamous 'Thriller' music video:

Equilibrium - all is well when Michael and his girlfriend are coming out of the cinema after the movie finished. There is a calm ambience in the music video and happiness is shown at the beginning with Michael singing around the girl and her laughing.

Recognition - this is where Michael turns into a werewolf and the zombie rise up from the ground and from the graveyard, following Michael into the alleyway where they start to dance.

Attempt to repair damage - this is where the girlfriend of Michael runs away from the zombie and newly changed werewolf Michael and runs into a deserted house in the middle of the woods. This is an attempt to repair the damage that has been done by leaving it.

New equilibrium - this is the new equilibrium of the music video where everything is back to normal again. Michael has changed back to normal again and the zombies have left and Michael has found his girlfriend again and they are happy again.