Narrative Theory

Before we began plotting a narrative for our film, we looked into narrative theory, and below I have shown what each person theorised about the narrative of a media production.

These will help to influence our narrative, and can also act as a guide for its construction.

Narrative - Coherence/organisation given to a series of facts. Connecting events, constructing meaning.

SYD FIELD

"In any good film, the audience will be grabbed by the first 10 minutes."


Believed: Film makers need to interest the audience whilst alerting them to what the film is about, and give them a sense of what film they have let themselves in for.


Key Narrative Requirements:

• Characters
• Plot
• Genre - Codes, conventions and signifiers

The 3 Act Plot Structure: A typical Hollywood film can be separated into 3 dramatic "acts":

• Set Up
• Confrontation
• Resolution

ARISTOTLE

The Theory of Unities: A narrative should be created within a 'unity' of time, place and action. AKA it should all take place within the same time, place in real time, with all action moving towards a logical conclusion.

FREYTAG

The 5-Part Dramatic Structure Theory:

• Exposition - Setting
• Risking Action - Can be more than one
• Climax - A pinnacle moment
• Falling Action - Repair of issue
• Denouement/Catastrophe/Resolution - End

LEVI-STRAUSS

Binary Opposition Theory: Narrative tension is based on opposition or conflict.


Eg. 2 characters fighting, or on a more ideological level; Cowboys and Indians, Middle Earth and Mordor, Jedi and Sith, Good and Evil, etc


Essentially, one cannot exist without the other.

BARTHES

The Enigma Code: Narrative establishes enigmas or mysteries as it progresses, then the narrative functions to establish and solve these.

VLADIMIR PROPP

Characters take on the role of "Spheres of Action" or catalysts.


List Of Narrative Spheres of Action:

• The Hero - Usually male, restores equilibrium.

                              Victim Hero - Villain's Focus
                              Seeker Hero - Aids Villain's Victims

• The Villain - Creates the narrative disruption.
• The Donor - Gives the Hero something (eg. An object, information or advice, etc), which helps to resolve the narrative.
• The Helper - Aids the hero in resolving the narrative.
• The Princess - The victim, most threatened by the villain, who needs to be saved.
• The Dispatcher - Sends the Hero on his/her task.
• The False Hero - Appears to be good, but revealed at the narrative end to be bad.