Narrative Theory

Learning objective:

To investigate and discuss different narrative theory’s

To apply narrative theory to TV Drama

Storytelling/ narrative structureStorytelling/ narrative structure

• Way in which the narrative of a film is constructed.

• Narrative is defined as “a chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in

time” (Bordwell & Thompson, Film Art, 1980).

List the characters in Cinderella

In your group...

•Read through your Narrative theory together and make notes.•Can you find any examples from film/TV/fairy tales to support this narrative theory?

•Nominate a spokesperson from each group to explain the theory.

Vladimir Propp

- Russian critic and literary theorist.- Analysed over 100 Russian fairytales in the

1920s.

- He proposed that it was possible to classify the characters and their actions into clearly defined roles and functions.

- Films such as Star Wars fit Propp’s model precisely, but a a significant number of more recent films such as Pulp Fiction do not.

Propp’s Character Roles The hero (seeks something) The villain (opposes the hero) The donor (helps the hero by providing a

magic object) The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way) The false hero (falsely assuming the role of

hero) The helper (gives support to the hero) The princess (the reward for the hero, but

also needs protection from the villain) Her father

Tzvetan Todorov

Bulgarian literary theorist Suggests most narratives start with a

state of equilibrium in which life is ‘normal’ and the protagonist is happy.

This state of normality is disrupted by an outside force, which has to be fought against in order to return to a state of equilibrium.

This model can easily be applied to a wide range of films.

Equilibrium > Disruption > Recognition of disruption> Attempt to repair disruption > New Equilibrium.

Write a short synopsis for a film using Todorovs Equilibrium theory.

You can use the example of ‘Toy Story’ or create your own

Claude Levi-Strauss

Social Anthropologist. Studied myths of tribal cultures. Examined how stories unconsciously

reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture.

These are usually expressed in the form of binary oppositions.

His research has been adapted by media theorists to reveal underlying themes and symbolic oppositions in media texts.

Examples of opposition... Black.... Good... Male... Young... Poor... Old...

Can you think of any other examples?

What binary opposition was evident in

‘Teachers’?

Binary Oppositions

A conflict between two qualities or terms. For example 1970’s Western films:

Homesteaders Native Americanschristian pagandomestic savageweak stronggarden wildernessinside society outside society

Roland Barthes

French semiologist. Suggested that narrative works with

five different codes which activate the reader to make sense of it.

(also used the terms denotation and connotation to analyse images)

Barthes’ Codes

Action – a narrative device by which a resolution is produced through action, e.g. a shoot-out.

Enigma – a narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved. Works to delay the story’s ending pleasurably.

Symbolic – (connotation) Semic – (denotation) Cultural – a narrative device which the audience can

recognise as being part of a culture e.g. a “made man” in a gangster film is part of the mafia culture.

Can you think of any films or TV drama that use an enigma code?

This trailer uses enigma codes to make the audience intrigued about the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXO0he1WjYw

What techniques are employed to create an enigma code?

Look at:•Editing•Performance•Mise en scene•Sound•Lighting

Which drama sub-genre

commonly use enigma codes?

Other narratives...

Flashback

Flash forward

Linear (in sequential order e.g a drama might start at breakfast and continue to develop in order of time)

Non-linear (out of sequence eg a drama might start at night, then show an event that happened hours before)

This helps to create an enigma code

HW: due Monday 7th November on your blog

Watch the first episode of Lost (series 1, episode1) and write a detailed answer for each question (500 words)

•What narrative structure/s are evident in the first episode of Lost? What effect does this have on the audience?

•Discuss the sound techniques used in the first episode of Lost. What effect do they have on the audience?

•How is realism constructed in this episode of Lost?

•How does Lost fit the conventions of a TV drama?

• Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoGebTIYjPg

• Part 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds9q-S6eCfs&feature=related

• Part 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqhSvZhPlEE&feature=related

• Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkWLSgt0bqU&feature=related