presentation to guide you through what is Iconography and Narrative Structures.

1. Starter activity:
I want you all to research
what the term
‘ICONOGRAPHY’ means in Film
& TV analysis

2. U25A3: Textual analysis of
TV programmes and videos
Part A

3. Aims of todays session:
 Identify genre conventions:
 Iconography
 Common elements
 Identify narrative characteristics:
 Open/closed
 Single-strand/multi-strand
 Linear/non-linear
 Series/serial/continuous serial

4. Genre conventions:
 Iconography:
 “A set of visual representations in a media test that, taken together, indicate it’s
genre” (Media & Film Studies, Clark, V et al, 2011)
Just by looking at this picture, what sort
of TV programme is it and why?

5. Narrative Characteristics:
 Open narrative:
 This means that the narrative is not completed within the timeframe of episode,
programme or film.
 Can you think of any examples?

6. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Closed narrative:
 This means that the narrative is completed within the timeframe of episode,
programme or film.
 Can you think of any examples?

7. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Single-Strand narrative:
 Has only one narrative and follows solely that narrative, introducing it, exploring it
and resolving/concluding a presented conflict.
 Although there may be secondary strands going on, they just help to support the
main storyline.
 Can you think of any examples?

8. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Linear narrative:
 When the narrative is portrayed in a simple chronological order.
 The narrative has a clear beginning, middle and end.
 Can you think of any examples?

9. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Non-linear narrative:
 When the narrative is not portrayed in a chronological order.
 Structural filmic devices like ‘flashbacks’ and ‘flash-forwards’ are used.
 Can you think of any examples?

10. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 ‘Narratology’:
 “Tzetan Todorov suggests that all narratives begin in a state of equilibrium, or
balance, which is then upset by some event, and the story continues until a new
and different equilibrium is established.” (Media & Film Studies, Clark, V et al,
2011)

11. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Narrative format:
 Series – “A sequence of self-contained episodes on TV, radio or film. The episodes
of fictional series are usually connected by characters and/or location or a theme
or genre.” (Media & Film Studies, Clark, V et al, 2011)
 Can you think of any examples?

12. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Narrative format (cont.):
 Serial – “A narrative fiction that develops its story towards a denouement (a
climactic ending where everything is made clear to the audience) over a number of
episodes” (Media & Film Studies, Clark, V et al, 2011)
 Can you think of any examples?

13. Narrative Characteristics (cont.):
 Narrative format (cont.):
 Continuous Serial – “A continuous programme that has several overlapping
narratives in any episode, offering a variety of audience experiences.” (Media &
Film Studies, Clark, V et al, 2011)
 Can you think of any examples?