Research:Narrative Theory.

NARRATIVE:

Narrative is a description of what happens in a story, so that the audience can follow what is happening.
 There are different types of narrative that are used by film makers to apply to the audience.The audience are able to construct meaning in texts this throught different ways. Connotation is one of them, this occurs when the audience is allowed to read between the lines. Denotation happens when a film contains factual evidence, foretelling the action. The characters with their personality. Genre with the category the films falls into, and most importantly the structure, Equilibrium(start), disequilibrium(middle) and the end knowing what is going to happen.

THEORIES BEHIND NARRATIVE:

Propp Theory

Vladamir Propp was a soviet scholar that produced his theory on narrative. Propp theory is centred around folk tales, for he belived that folk tales represented the same struggles. This was because of his type of characters: Female victim, lover, protagonist, anatagonist etc. The narrative determined the characters., for the characters have a narrative function, they provide a structutre for the text.

Here is the structure of what the characters will go through in the propp theory:

Complication: Disaster strikes, to the audience the issue is explained. The audience are introduced to the characters. The action are planned by the hero against the villain.

Transference: The hero will react to the aid of the donor, who usually is the person that helps the hero in his quest or mission.

Struggle: The strong solution is made that the villain has to be overcome and defeated, no matter what it takes.  This is where the climax action starts to take place. This can create tension among the audience.

Return: The battle is over, but the hero is not recognised as being the hero for his actions. So the false hero takes all the credit.

Recognition: The hero in the end gets recognition and gets respected, for the villain has been defeated and the false hero unmasked.

This film theory would be targeted towards children in folktale movies such as shrek or the incredibles, where propp's type of characters and structure are conveyed.

Film that portray the Propp Theory:

Thriller movies don't usually portray the propp theory, for the theory is mostly based around fairytales and myths.


Todorov:
Todorov Theory: This is the narrative structure theory of Izetan Todorov

Start is the Equlibrium when the character appears stable at the beginning.

Middle is the Disequilibrium when a disrupting event occurs and there needs to be a resolution, when there is recognition of the disturbing event. The attempt is being made to have the situation repaired and restored.

The End is the new equilibrium when the usually the disruption has been sorted out, meaning the narrative is closed, therefore ending the story.

Thriller movie that is influenced by the Todorov theory:
The movie se7en is influenced by the todorov theory in a classic way. In se7en the equilibrium, is a rookie police detective that has arrived in a new city. The disequilibrum is that murders are occuring and they all relate to each other and the resolution is that it must be stopped. The new equilibrium is that the cop kills the serial killer especially after the killler murders his wife. 


The Aristotle theory focuses on the plot whicah always has a beginning, middle and end.
The theory states that events in each scene had to relate to each other, making it necessary or probable.

It is essential (according to this theory) to gain emotion from the audience, especially with tragedy. The difference is that this theory requires a climax when the action reaches it's peak and that there is a scene of recognition.

Movies that are Influenced by the Aristotle Theory:

 The bourne identity partly portrays the aristotle theory when Bourne goes into DeJa Vu as he is about to shoot someone. 

Roland Barthes: A late semiologist.

Barthes Theory:

The film begins with the action, the understanding and resolution is understood due to the action that has taken place.Then enigma takes place when the audience is teased by a riddle orpuzzle that needs to be solved. Afterwards, connotation occurs when something is symbolised. The next phase is denotation where there is factual evidence of something happening. Most Importantly, there is cultural understanding, where events that take place can have recognition for being part of a culture.

Barthes theory portrayed :
 For example, in the Godfather it is known that people will be killed due to the structure and culture of the mafia which to murder to be at the top and in power.I have selected 2 scenes from the movie.

This post has taught me that narrative is essential, in order to gain the focus on the viewing audience.