Tzvetan Todorov

Todorov narrative theory is a linear ideal but instead of 3 steps his theory is 5 steps.

He firstly thinks that all films start with it being peaceful and the characters being happy

with each other

He then thinks that there is a imbalance between the characters which cause something

to happen which will cause a misunderstanding between them.

In the normal linear 3 step method it would be beginning, middle and end. However with

Todorov theory he follows the first 2 steps of linear but adds in an extra 2 after the middle

sequence. These two acknowledge of disruption which is recognized by the characters and

then the attempt to fix the problem by the characters. After the two new sequences the

end would be the resolve of the problem and the characters being how they were in the

beginning.

He calls these steps the following:

Equilibrium

Disequilibrium

Equilibrium

Pulp fiction doesn’t follow the theory of Todorov as they start by robbing a bank which is

not following the Theory.

Many films do follow his method. Films such as lock stock follows his method the

characters are fine at first. Something happens. They discover what happens, they

attempt to fix it, they resolve it which is the end.

Films follow the similar sequence as the audience are used to following this order.

I could use this theory in my film as things start of all okay. They got into some trouble

which the audience do know but don’t know what happened. Things start to go wrong in

which the characters discover what happened. They attempt to resolve it. When the film

is beginning to end it will all be resolved. This is following the method of Todorov.

Vladimir Propp

Propp theory is that there are eight characters

These characters could be. The protagonist (hero), antagonist (villain). The helper and the

donor. False hero the princess. The dispatcher, princess’s father.

Propp theory is not telling us how the narrative should be it is telling us how it is told

through characters.

For example, the film Cinderella has most of the above characters.

Cinderella would be the protagonist as she is the women that fit the shoe

The prince is the princess

Cinderella dad is at the start of the play. He does die which has a huge impact on the story

line.

Cinderella stepmom is the villain of the film

Family godparents would be the dispatcher which means the help out the protagonist.

Mouse would be the helper.

Cat would also be the villain

Ugly Stepsisters would also be the villain

This film is sort of following Vladimir Propp ideal but has more villains than he suggests.

Other Disney films such as Frozen follow this character method.

I might use this method in my film as every character has a different background and in

gangster films everyone has different backgrounds. So this method would be suitable for

my gangster film.

Claude Levi-Strauss

Claude says that all narratives are binary oppositions this means themes that are based on

oppositions.

This could be in a gangster films such as power v weak, good v evil. All of these are

opposite.

1. In critical theory, a binary opposition (also yudipota) is a pair of related terms or

concepts that are opposite in meaning. Binary opposition is the system by which,

in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off

against one another.

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_opposition

I could possibly show this in my opening film scenes to show a different sort of how

people live there life. This would be involved around the gangster genre. By this I mean I

could show the rich side of gangsters and the not wealthy side of the gangster.