Narrative
1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
Star Wars: The initial state of equilibrium is the peaceful galaxy under the Galactic Empire's rule. This is disrupted by the events of the film, including the Death Star attack and Princess Leia's capture, which throws the galaxy into disequilibrium. The rest of the film is dedicated to the attempt to repair this disruption, culminating in the final battle and the destruction of the Death Star, which restores the galaxy to a new, albeit changed, 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.
The use of the frame as props for each of the characters shows how the design seems very elegant and old fashioned which could suggest how the story may be in a middle class perspective. Also, it shows how setting seems very dark during the opening titles which could give an idea of enigma codes. In addition, the character seems to have a very neutral facial expression in their frame as well as the kids which kind of connote that there must be something wrong which reinforces the idea of enigmatic codes. The idea of supernatural factors in the first few part such as the lady coming out from the river and the doll house opening on its own also gives off the idea of enigma codes, which suggests that those factors could be the reason for a disequilibrium and could possibly be the antagonist.
3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.
Superman, Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter.
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
Good vs Evil or McBeth and Banquo
5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?
An example in the factsheet could be that when the policeman captures the criminal in a crime drama the ideology of the value of law and order is emphasised.
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
Creating and resolving tension, which transforms the audience from passive consumers into active participants in the narrative
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
- Episodic narrative (the series)- These are fictions which have many parts but where the narrative arc is usually resolved at the end of each episode.
- Overarching narrative (the serial)- The serial uses the conventional narrative arc over a number of episodes.
- Mixed narrative- can be watched without context of understanding previous episodes
- Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative)- These have a continuous narrative and they tell a number of different stories at the same time.
In advertising the idea of the problem and resolution is crucial. Often adverts set up a problem (bad breath) and then immediately offer the solution (buy gum) to create a swift resolution(fresh breath)
