'Dark Summer' Final Opening Sequence

Preliminary Task

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Applying the theory of Levi-Strauss to the openings of "Pale Rider" and "Die Hard 1"


Levi-Strauss created a structuring device for elements in stories which go together in pairs. He organised each story into binary opposites which reveal the structure of media texts. Levi-Strauss looked deeply into the arrangement of themes for example innocence and guilt as they are contrasting themes to have within a sequence. This theory seems to work with almost every action/adventure film.

"Pale Rider" (directed by Clint Eastwood)

Good vs Bad
Cowboys vs Villagers
Innocent vs Evil
Quiet vs Loud
Action vs Tension
Slow vs Fast
Brown Horse vs White Horse
Darkness vs Light
Calmness vs Violence
Peace vs Destruction
Death vs Survival
Normality vs Mourning
Town vs Country

"Die Hard 1" (Directed by John McTrernan)

Good vs Evil
Hero (cop) vs Villain
Future vs Past
Chatty atmosphere vs Reservation and silence of victims
Home vs Away
Marriage vs Career
Upbeat Music (Party) vs Tension music (with villains)
Smartly Dressed (businessmen/women) vs Undressed (main character-personal)
Closeness vs Distance
Single life vs Married life
Work vs Family
Happy vs Sad
Maiden Name vs Husbands Surname
Loud vs Quiet

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