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Film Theory 3 - Narrative
ross.semple
Created on June 30, 2022
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Transcript
FILM THEORY
NARRATIVEIN FILM
STORY VS. NARRATIVE
Story
Narrative
What happens — the events that occur in a film.
The order or prominence given to events or characters for maximum impact.
NARRATIVE TERMS
- Single Strand
- Multi Strand
- Linear
- Non-Linear
- Investigative
- Realist
- Anti-realist
- Non or Anti-narrative
NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
Aristotle
- Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end
- Well-made stories will have a sense of closure, as readers require this for satisfaction.
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
Claude Levi-Strauss
Levi-Strauss’ theory is called ‘Binary Oppositions’ and argues that narrative tension is caused by opposing characters of forces. This is what propels the narrative and engages the audience.
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
Tzvetan Todorov
A narrative has multiple stages:
- Equilibrium
- Disruption
- Recognition of disruption
- Attempt to repair disruption
- Restoration/ resolution
TASK
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
Vladimir Propp
Propp based his media analysis on Russian fairytales but it is often applied to other media texts.
- 8 character types with structural functions
- 31 narrative functions (events or stages within a narrative)
TASK
NARRATIVE THEORISTS
The Heroes Journey
Screenwriter and theorist Chris Volger developed a theory for The Heroes Journey in cinema.
REMEMBER
These are ways of understanding or interpreting the narrative structure of fiction … they are not rules!
ENIGMA
What is it?
General definition: Mystery -something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained.Media analysis definition:Questions within a narrative. A story usually revolves around raising enigmas then resolving them.
TYPES OF ENIGMA
Central enigmas (or hermeneutic codes): How will the story be resolved?
Short-term enigmas (or proairetic code): How will this particular section of the narrative be resolved?
ENIGMA TASK
- Come up with a list of five films you know well
- Write down what the central enigma (or hermeneutic code) is for each film.
- Write down any short-term enigmas (or proairetic code) you can remember in each film.
TASK
Watch the two short films on Canvas. Prepare notes on the use of genre and narrative in each film.