Narrative theory

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Narrative Theory Narrative theory is the way a story is told in both fictional and non-fictional media texts. I will use Vladimir Propp as an example. Vladimir is a Russian critic and literary theorist; he proposed that characters could be classified into clearly defined roles and purposes. Below are classified roles. The hero (seeks something) The villain (against the hero) The donor (provides help by providing an object) The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way) The false hero (falsely assuming the role of hero) The helper (this is the sidekick that helps the hero) The princess (the reward for the hero but is blackmailed by the villain) Princess’ father (Very strict character that is protective of his daughter) We have taken these roles into consideration when creating a narrative for our trailer as we will display the main characters and try to communicate their role in the narrative. For example if I were to try and communicate a villain in my trailer the colour red will be dominantly used. I have already included Propp’s classified characters in most of my textual analyses. Another element included is influenced from Tzvetan Todorov. He suggests most narratives begin with a normal state. This is when their life is normal and the protagonists are happy (equilibrium). Then the audience notice the change of state in which the characters fight to return to a state of equilibrium. We intend to integrate equilibrium/disequilibrium into our filmed element of our production as moving image work often relies on a narrative structure. To correctly create a drama this must be applied as this shows a story the characters have been in and how they act in certain situations. Below is the structure we will include into our opening sequence, which is heavily influenced by Tzvetan Todorov. Equilibrium → Disequilibrium → New Equilibrium (New equilibrium is when the issue has been resolved but the main character has learnt to much and changed along the way)

Transcript of Narrative theory

Narrative Theory

Narrative theory is the way a story is told in both fictional and non-fictional media texts. I will use Vladimir Propp as an example. Vladimir is a Russian critic and literary theorist; he proposed that characters could be classified into clearly defined roles and purposes.

Below are classified roles.

The hero (seeks something) The villain (against the hero) The donor (provides help by providing an object) The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way) The false hero (falsely assuming the role of hero) The helper (this is the sidekick that helps the hero) The princess (the reward for the hero but is blackmailed by the villain) Princess’ father (Very strict character that is protective of his daughter)

We have taken these roles into consideration when creating a narrative for our trailer as we will display the main characters and try to communicate their role in the narrative. For example if I were to try and communicate a villain in my trailer the colour red will be dominantly used. I have already included Propp’s classified characters in most of my textual analyses. Another element included is influenced from Tzvetan Todorov. He suggests most narratives begin with a normal state. This is when their life is normal and the protagonists are happy (equilibrium). Then the audience notice the change of state in which the characters fight to return to a state of equilibrium. We intend to integrate equilibrium/disequilibrium into our filmed element of our production as moving image work often relies on a narrative structure. To correctly create a drama this must be applied as this shows a story the characters have been in and how they act in certain situations. Below is the structure we will include into our opening sequence, which is heavily influenced by Tzvetan Todorov.

Equilibrium → Disequilibrium → New Equilibrium (New equilibrium is when the issue has been resolved but the main character has learnt to much and changed along the way)

In an opening sequence that would last for thirty minutes, the audience would witness the narrative pattern above, but because our opening sequence is around three minutes, we’re focusing on showing the equilibrium and presenting an initial occurrence of disequilibrium. To show this I will briefly evaluate moments from the opening sequence of ‘Grange Hill’ and the pattern shown.

This is a state of disequilibrium as this animation flashes onto the screen in red to communicate he is the villain.

In this opening sequence a disequilibrium state is

introduced instantly as the red bully (on the left image)

suddenly appears on the screen communicating to the audience a fight may start. We then see

the school in an equilibrium state as they begin class.

The scenario then ends in a equilibrium state as the characters are seen sat in class and about to begin their lesson.