Narrative theory
Narrative is a vital concept for A Level Media.
We look for narratives - stories - to make sense of media texts. Everything from film and television to news and adverts relies on narrative to help audiences understand the message.
There are narrative patterns and three key narrative theories we need to learn as part of our introduction to A Level Media. The notes as a reminder:
1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.
3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?
1) An example from film or television that uses todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium is; Iron Man. In the film, tony stark is living his life and being happy until he gets captured by villains and he finds out how destructive the weapon he makes are, and in the end, he kills the final villain.
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1pW0EQw85A
In the trailer of Luke Cage, you can see that he is very strong which helps the audience understand the backstory, you can also see that he is very strong. You can also see that the tv series is set in harlem in new york city. You can also see that there is a man in a suit which makes the audience understand that he is very important and could be the villain and you can also see that he tries to hide his ability from other people.
3) examples that fits Propp's character roles is: James bond, Iron man, Captain America.
4) examples that fits binary oppositions is: Good vs Evil, Love vs Hate, Smart vs Dumb.
5) The example was: when the girl wins the heart of the guy in a romantic comedy the values of heterosexual relationships and monogamy are reinforced. In conventional texts crime doesn’t usually pay and the guy most often gets the girl.
6) Enigma and action codes offer gratification for audiences because it makes them feel good that they can get what they anticipated for. It lets them have what they want.
7) Episodic narrative: usually does not follow todorov's narrative or barthes; continues and continues.
Mixed narrative: has a mix and can create complications if not clarified.
Multi-strand overlapping narrative: voice over explains the story to the audience and gives them context.
Overarching narrative: makes the audience craving for more and makes them want the end.
8) The factsheet suggests that adverts make the audience relate what the problem is to their product and encourages them to buy it. E.g. if there is a car advert, there will be a person riding the bus and being bored and being envious of other people driving cars.
We look for narratives - stories - to make sense of media texts. Everything from film and television to news and adverts relies on narrative to help audiences understand the message.
There are narrative patterns and three key narrative theories we need to learn as part of our introduction to A Level Media. The notes as a reminder:
Narrative patterns
Linear Pattern: progresses forward towards a resolution - Beginning, Middle and End.
Multi-strand Narrative: popular in broadcast TV (e.g. soaps) and film. Involves more than one narrative running parallel involving different characters and locations.
Documentary narrative: this may revolve round a central theme (e.g. troublesome neighbours) or group of people.
Long-running TV series such as Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad have one major overarchingnarrative and lots of mini-narratives. The overarching narrative runs over the series, the mini narrative may be resolved within an episode.
Narrative theories
When studying narrative in Media, we need to be able to identify what the story is and how it is being told. There are three key theories we need to learn and apply:
Enigma and Action Codes - Roland Barthes
Barthes suggested that stories have certain codes that audiences understand and respond to.
ENIGMA codes: control how much we know and help hold our interest. It creates mystery during the narrative.
ACTION codes: events or actions in the story that are important in developing the narrative, e.g. a gun being cocked signifies that a violent scene will follow.
Todorov: equilibrium
Tzvetan Todorov proposed a theory of equilibrium:
Equilibrium: An existing state of harmony
Disequilibrium: Equilibrium is disrupted by an unfortunate event or evil character which leads to a chain of events involving conflict
New Equilibrium: The evil forces are defeated, the conflict is resolved and harmony exists once more
Character theory: Propp
Vladimir Propp came up with a list of stock characters in narratives by examining Russian fairytales. He called them the seven spheres of action:
The Villain: Creates a complication in the narrative
The Donor: Gives the hero something that will help in the resolution
The Helper: Helps the hero in restoring the resolution
The Princess: Has to be saved by the hero
The Dispatcher: Sends the hero on a task
The Hero: Central protagonist, saves the day and restores equilibrium
The False Hero: Rare character that appears to be good but is revealed to have been bad all along.
1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.
3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
- Episodic narrative (the series)
- Overarching narrative (the serial)
- Mixed narrative
- Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative)
8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?
1) An example from film or television that uses todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium is; Iron Man. In the film, tony stark is living his life and being happy until he gets captured by villains and he finds out how destructive the weapon he makes are, and in the end, he kills the final villain.
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1pW0EQw85A
In the trailer of Luke Cage, you can see that he is very strong which helps the audience understand the backstory, you can also see that he is very strong. You can also see that the tv series is set in harlem in new york city. You can also see that there is a man in a suit which makes the audience understand that he is very important and could be the villain and you can also see that he tries to hide his ability from other people.
3) examples that fits Propp's character roles is: James bond, Iron man, Captain America.
4) examples that fits binary oppositions is: Good vs Evil, Love vs Hate, Smart vs Dumb.
5) The example was: when the girl wins the heart of the guy in a romantic comedy the values of heterosexual relationships and monogamy are reinforced. In conventional texts crime doesn’t usually pay and the guy most often gets the girl.
6) Enigma and action codes offer gratification for audiences because it makes them feel good that they can get what they anticipated for. It lets them have what they want.
7) Episodic narrative: usually does not follow todorov's narrative or barthes; continues and continues.
Mixed narrative: has a mix and can create complications if not clarified.
Multi-strand overlapping narrative: voice over explains the story to the audience and gives them context.
Overarching narrative: makes the audience craving for more and makes them want the end.
8) The factsheet suggests that adverts make the audience relate what the problem is to their product and encourages them to buy it. E.g. if there is a car advert, there will be a person riding the bus and being bored and being envious of other people driving cars.
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