Research: Narrative Theory- Miss Begum

 

               Narrative Theory

 

 

What is narrative and why is it important to audiences?

 

Narrative is the way events are put together and presented to the audience telling story. It is important to the audience as they need to know what is going  on in the film and for them to have a clear understanding. A clear structured narrative draws the audience into the story and keeps them focused on the storyline.

 

 

Creating meaning in texts: What four elements allows the audience to find meaning

 

The four elements that creates meaning for the audience includes:

• Character: The representation of the characters is important as it creates meaning through factors such as physique, gender, age, costume and their relationships with other characters. These factors allow the audience to develop first impressions and understand the characters position within the film, without the characters the film would have no particular meaning as the storyline would not make sense.

• Genre: The genre of a film creates meaning as the themes that are presented through the film depend on the genre. Without a genre the film would have no meaning as factors such as characters, lighting, narrative and themes depend on genre. Without genre these elements would not work as they all rely on the genre, for example low key lighting is used in thriller and horror genres.

• Connotation and denotation: The connotation and denotation allows the audience to find meaning as the denotations such as costumes, themes and iconography all connote particular things in a film allowing the audience to respond in a particular way. The denotations and connotations create suspense and allow the audience to identify particular things. For example, a denotation of a gun connotes death and violence creating adrenaline for the audience and suggests that death is going to occur in the film.

      

• Structure: The structure of a film creates meaning as a film must follow a chronological order in order to make sense. The setting, characters and events depend on the structure as one event that occurs leads to another. Without a clear structure the audience are unable to understand the film and are able to connect with the characters or the film itself and draw a dislike to it. Therefore structure Is important as it allows film to run smoothly and the audience are filled with suspense.

Propp (characters): Who was he and what did he say? Refer to examples.

Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic and was mainly interested in narrative folk tales in films. He believed that the folk tales were about the same basic struggle, therefore has the same characters, Characters have a narrative function and they provide a structure for text. Propp's characters include:

• The Hero- A character that seeks for better things.
• The Villain-Who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest.
• The Donor-Who provides an object with magical properties.
• The Dispatcher-Who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
• The False Hero- Who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims.
• The Helper- Who aids the hero.
• The Princess-Acts as a reward for the hero and the object of the villains plot.
• Her Father- Who acts to reward the hero for his effort.

Examples:

In this clip from Se7en the characters identified include the villain who is covered in blood and finally turns himself in, the hero who is the detective and orders the villain to get on the floor, and the helpers who are the police officers who also point their guns in order for protection towards the villain.

The characters in this clip from the Bourne identity include the hero who was mistaken as the villain, the false hero who tried to arrest the hero and the helpers who was the army with guns looking to catch the hero.



Todorov (Equilibrium=Disequilibrium=New equilibrium) : Who was he and what did he say? Refer to examples


Tzvetan Todorov was a Russian theorist that suggested that films follow a narrative structure consisting of an equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium, he believed that the formula could be applied to virtually all narratives. The equilibrium was when the characters appear stable at the beginning of the film , then the disequilibrium occurs when something disrupting happens and change occurs which needs to be resolved, the new equilibrium is when the disruption is resolved and the narrative is closed.

Examples:

 

In this clip from the film 'Halloween' there is a clear structure, the equilibrium begins with the couple laughing and enjoying themselves, then the disequilibrium occurs when the antagonists enters the home and stabs the female victim, the new equilibrium is when the antagonist is identified shocking the audience and creating a chilling response.



Aritotle (themes and emotions): who was he and what did he say? Refer to examples

 Aristotle believes in the importance of a plot. He believes it is essential to have a beginning middle and end comparing to Todorov's theory, however, he claims it is important to arouse emotion from the audience and this is mainly within tragedy (fear and emotion). Overall, he said it was important to evoke emotions through themes.

Examples:

 This clip from Psycho follows a clear structure of the scene beginning with the exposition of the female victim doing regular conventional things, then rising action occurs as she is in the bath and a shadow occurs, then the climax when the antagonist stabs her to death. The falling action is identified when the antagonist leaves immediately without the audience seeing his identity. Finally the denouement, when the female victim is seen to die in a painful way. This evokes emotion from the audience as they sympathise for the victim and respond with a chilling response towards the antagonist and fear his capabilities.


Barthes(semiotics): who was he and what did he say? Refer to examples
 
Barthes said that the semiology theory within the narrative consisted of denotation and connotation and cultural understanding. connotation and denotation referred to symbolism through the use of iconography, characters and themes. For example, a antagonist has connation's of evil and power demonstrating his capabilities an bad intentions. The cultural understanding refers to events which can be recognised as being part of a culture.

Examples:

 

 In this clip from scream the denotations include the police car, blood, knife, and telephone which connote danger, death and crime which is conventional to a thriller film.


What narrative structure do thrillers tend to take and why?

Thrillers tend to follow the narrative structure of Aristotle and Todorov as there are clear events beginning with an equilibrium when the audience get to know the main characters (protagonist, antagonist, victim).Then the rising action occurs when the protagonist understands their goal and begins to work towards it, which followed by the disequilibrium reaching a climax as the disruption occurs ( the antagonist causes the victim problems and violence may occur. The falling action is the turning point of the story and finally the new equilibrium takes place which suggests that the disruption is resolved and here is when there is the greatest overall tension. Therefore, when watching thriller films these stages occur almost every time making them conventional to the film world and the thriller genre. Propps' characters are also used in all thrillers with the essential characters including the hero saving the day and defeating the villain who creates problems and causes harm to the princess. The semiology is also used through iconography and themes allowing the audience to make assumptions.
 
 
Conclusion: What narrative theory/ies will you use in your thriller and why?
 
When creating my thriller I intend on using all the narrative structures as they are all interlinked and create understanding for the audience. They also differ from one another as Propps focuses on the characters which is essential for a film to have these characters as they are conventional to thriller films. Todorov's theory is based on narrative and structure following the three way narrative which is essential to have in order for the audience to understand the development of the film and for it to create suspense. Furthermore, Aristotle's theory looks into the narrative structure in more detail with five main stages the film goes through which is also important as it draws on the rising action and the falling action as well as the exposition, climax and denouement. Finally Barthes theory draws on semiology and focuses on the denotations and connation's of a film, without these aspects the audience would be unable to have a clear understanding of the upcoming events and themes., Therefore when creating my thriller I will ensure to add all the theories as they are all equally important and conventional to the thriller genre.