Theory Research

Levi-Strauss' Symbolic Code
Claude Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist. His theory focuses on the use of binary oppositions, that films can focus on opposites. This is appropriate in our film which is of the rom-com genre, which usually involves the idea that opposites attract.  In particular, he focused on Science Fiction film and their use oif a series of binary opposites through their narrative such as:

• Earth - Space
• Good - Evil
• Humans - Aliens
• Past - Present
• Normal - Strange
• Known - Unknown

Our film features some opposites such as:

• Man - Female
• Man - Technology
• Female - Technology

These opposites should be recognised by the audience as they could experience them in real life. 

Syd Field's 3 Act Plot Structure
Syd is the author of "Screenplay" and "The Screen Writer's Workbook". His theory focuses on the structure of narratives, and that it takes the form of 3 acts. Each act is diverse and alternates in different films. This is his structure:

• Act One - Set Up. This is where we are introduced to the lead character and places them within a time/place. Usually takes up the first 1/4 of the film in 2 hour features.
• Act Two - Confrontation. This is where the character encounters obstacles that prevent him reaching his goals. Usually the character reaches a low point. This is called the midpoint. It usually takes up the middle 2/4 of a 2 hour feature.
• Act Three - Resolution. This is where the film reaches a climax, usually in a confrontation or twist. There should be a brief period of calm in the plot creating a state of equilibrium. 

I found this diagram which shows the theory on this website. 

Our film features this structure:

• Act One - Set Up. Jack is introduced to audience, and we met Emma briefly.
• Act Two - Confrontation. Jack makes mistakes and uses remote, but audience questions will it all work out in the end if he keeps repeating himself and correcting his mistakes.
• Act Three - Resolution. Everything appears to be ending "happily ever after". But this a twist disturbs the equilibrium, Emma also has a remote.  

I recreated the diagram with our project in mind.