Tick Tock textual analysis- Narrative

Sound- The short film has a closed narrative, as theorised by Barthes, as the meaning is clear and resolved at the end. Barthes also theorised that an enigma code is crucial in engaging an audience in a narrative which was created through the use of sound. In the short film the sound creates an enigma as the non diegetic soundtrack creates a sound which could be associated with an intense heartbeat. The connotations of a heartbeat link to the narrative as the protagonist is clearly scared about the prospect of dying and therefore means the audience understand his fear better. Furthermore, the synchronous sound which is used in the short film furthers that the audience can sense the far as the non diegetic soundtrack heightens when the man begins running due to his fear of death. Without the use of this synchronous sound the narrative would be hard to depict as the narrative would lack depth ; thus it would appear that the man is running for no apparent reason.

Editing- Todorov's theory of equilibrium was not evident in the short film Tick Tock as it didn't follow a conventional, linear story arc. Instead, a reverse chronological narrative was established through the use of editing. The editing technique of the long take emblematizes the narrative as it portrays that the protagonist has very little time to think. Due to there being a lack of/no cuts the audience identify that the man's Adrenalin has kicked in and therefore the drama is intensified. Due to the narrative all running in reverse as well we get to see every decision the protagonist makes during this time of panic as the long take means that nothing it omitted. Furthermore, the technique of the fast paced editing betokens the protagonist in the short film Tick Tock as he is seen rushing and determined to carry out the tasks he needs to do before he 'dies'. Due to the non-stop action,which is constant due to the fast pace, the audience depict the man has little if any time left and therefore is driving the narrative forward through symbolising the panic in the protagonists life in which he wants to get things done.

Mise-en-scene-

Bordwell and Thompson state that a narrative is the product of a cause and effect relationship, and this can be seen through the use of key props used in the mise en scene.This emerges when the character takes the pill which ultimately has a knock on effect for the rest of the narrative, due to it making him believe he is about to die. This prop is a quintessential part if the short film as it drives the narrative. The prop box is also used in a similar way as it also helps to further the narrative and also links to Todorov's theory of creation of new equilibrium as the man comes to a realisation that he needs to give this box to his girlfriend in order to fulfil what he wants to do in his life before his 'death'.  

The mise-en-scene is further used to drive the narrative of the short film as the clock which is used symbolises the whole reason for the narrative. The clock is used as an indexical sign for the lack of time the boy has due to taking the pills, but is also used in a very clever way in order to symbolise that the boy has a chance to restart his life and make a fresh start as throughout the film the clock is going backwards right up until the last shot when the clock begins to go forward again. This therefore may show that the due to the boy coming so close to thinking his death was occurring he has decided to make a change due to thinking about what he has done wrong in his life.

Camera movement and angles:

Levi Strauss’ Binary Oppositions states you need to have opposites to build a story. Eg. good vs evil, right vs wrong, known vs unknown, however this is not depicted in the narrative through camerawork and movement because the camerawork means that everything is done in reverse order and therefore everything is known to the audience from the start and there is nothing unknown. The only reason the audience can ultimately determine that there is something wrong in the narrative is due to the handheld camera which makes the scene unsteady and thus creates a disequilibrium and also contributes to the continuity of the scene so that there aren't as many cuts.

Furthermore, a low angle shot is used to help the audience identify the main element of the narrative due to the shot looking up at the box which the boy is trying to deliver to his girlfriend when faced with his potential death. Due to the low angle shot being used it makes the box look powerful and is therefore symbolising that the relationship between the boyfriend and girlfriend means a great deal to the boyfriend and this is why he can be seen running to her.