3. CW A Field In England & NARRATIVE
[03/07/2015]
A Level Media/MS4 Case Study
Learning Objective/ Outcome Level
All: will make observations and suggest links with key concept 1
Most: will apply key terminology from previous learning to your
area of study
2
Some: be able to apply a media theory from previous learning to
your area of study
3
3
5. A Field In England
• A FIELD IN ENGLAND is a 2013 British
film.
• It is written by Amy Jump and
directed by Ben Wheatley
• It stars British actors Julian Barratt,
Reece Shearsmith and Michael
Smiley
• It was filmed over 12 days near
Guildford
Discover
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6. Narrative
• Narrative: A story (plot) or a description of a series of events.
• The sequence of events in narrative cinema revolves around the concept
of 'cause and affect' otherwise known as;
Causality: Cause and Affect
• 'A narrative is a sequence of events taking place in time and space, in a
casual relationship. A sequence of random events does not make a
narrative' Bordwell and Thompson, Film Art; An introduction.
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7. Story
Plot
Plot describes a set of events as they relate to
each other. The term is concerned with how
to sequence and select the events of a story
as a structure for its telling and how that
telling can find maximum effect.
Narrative
How the events are told. Narrative is the
ordering of events into a consumable format.
Narratives may involve a reordering of the
events of a story. The story’s events can be
set out of chronological order; be combined
with elements from outside of the story to
better tell the consumer what is going on; or
to build dramatic effect.
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9. Todorov
• Todorov studied fairy tales and concluded that all stories followed
the same steps to make their stories
Equilibrium •A state of
normality
Disruption
•Something
happens to
disrupt the
normality
Recognition •Hero realises
the disruption
Complications
•Hero meets
issues trying
to restore the
equilibrium
New
Equilibrium
•Hero restores
a new
normality
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10. Linear Vs. Non Linear
Linear Narrative
• Linear narratives follow a straight line
— starting at the beginning, moving
to the middle and proceeding to the
end of the story. Often
Chronological.
Non-Linear Narrative
• non-linear narrative often starts at
the middle of a story or the height of
a conflict and then double-backs to
the beginning.
• Another, albeit more challenging,
non-linear narrative form employs
flashbacks and “flashforwards” to
keep the audience on their toes as
the film tells the full story.
Circular Narrative
• A story that ends in the same place it
began is commonly called a circular
or cyclical narrative.
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11. Narrative Structures
Single Strand
• a story that has one central character
or hero acting in a single plot while
surrounded by a group of minor
• Even though there is an antagonist who
probes and tries to get in the way of
the protagonist, a single strand
narrative will always keep the focus on
the protagonist and highlight his story
and adventures above anything else
going on.
Multiple Strand
• Many works are made up of multiple
narrative strands. Instead of a single
hero and a group of supporting
characters, a narrative with multiple
strands can have two or more isolated
groups of characters existing at once.
• By juxtaposing strands -- groups with
their own central characters -- the
audience will not only be concerned
about the action and outcome of each
strand, but of how the strands relate to
one another.
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12. Propp
• Vladimir Propp studied fairy tales and recognised the same stock characters
in every story
HeroCharacter
•Character who seeks something. The Protagonist.
VillainCharacter
•Opposes the heroes quest. The Antagonist.
PrincessCharacter
•The heroes reward – not necessarily a person!
Donor
Character
•Gives the hero something to help with his quest
DispatcherCharacter
•Sends the hero on his quest
HelperCharacter
•Helps the hero – often a sidekick
False HeroCharacter
•Looks heroic but disrupts the hero in their quest
Princess’ FatherCharacter
•Rewards the hero by giving him the princess 12
13. Character Arcs
• A character begins the narrative with certain viewpoints that
change through events in the narrative, in part because they
must adapt to changes throughout the storyline.
• In many narratives, the main characters or protagonists seem
unable to resolve their problems because they lack the skills
to overcome the forces of antagonism that confront them.
This flaw is a driving element of the plot.
• A character arc affects the protagonist in a narrative,
although other characters can go through similar changes.
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14. Levi Strauss
• Claimed stories could only exist with BINARY OPPOSITES,
elements that are against each other
Binary Opposite Examples
Woman
Beauty
Strength
Decisive
Loud
Old
Rich
Exciting
Men
Ugliness
Weakness
Indecisive
Quiet
Young
Poor
Boring
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15. Barthes
• Roland Barthes explored how an audience decodes a text and
the different codes used to construct meaning from a text
Enigma Code
Anything that sets up a
mystery or question
Action Code
Actions and behaviours that
are universally understood
Symbolic Code
Use of psychological
symbols or binary
opposition (can go
against expectations)
Cultural Code
Codes that are
understood across
the world as culture 15
16. Other Narrative
DevicesDevice Definition
Open
Often has no definite ending and multiple characters.
Closed
Offers an ending and often compresses time.
Restricted
Gives the audience a partial glimpse of the story and leaves out details. Creates Enigma and engages the audience to
“solve” the story.
Unrestricted
Gives the audience the full storyline so they feel fully engaged – feeling of respect.
Dramatic Irony
Gives audience information the people in the film don’t know – feeling of empowerment for the audience
Cliff-hanger
The story has a dramatic moment which lacks resolution – feeling of tension and mystery.
Chekov’s Gun
Chekhov's gun is a dramatic principle that every element in a narrative be irreplaceable and that anything else be
removed.
If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go
off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.
—Anton Chekhov
In media res
In medias res is Latin for "into the middle of things." It usually describes a narrative that begins, not at the beginning of a
story, but somewhere in the middle — usually at some crucial point in the action.
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17. Applying to A Field In
England
Answer the following questions in full sentences:
1. How would you describe the structure of AFIE?
2. What narrative techniques and devices are present within the
film?
3. Do any of the characters have a specific role or function?
4. Can you think of any technical/audio codes which help move
the narrative along or influence an audience reaction?
5. Choose two of the features you have mentioned above and
explain their impact on an audience. How might an audience
respond?
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18. Applying Narrative to
A Field In England
• Past Question:
How important are characters to the
narrative of your three main texts?
[Jan 2012]
• Try to:
– Discuss narrative conventions expected in this genre
– Discuss benefits of Characters and developments to audience
appeal
– Use examples (key scenes) from the film
– Link to Conventional Genre narratives and characters
– Use media terminology
– Use theory where relevant
Specific points to consider for A Field
In England:
•Its narrative conventions
•Use of Narrative Devices
•Balance between repetition and
difference (link Neale & GENRE)
•Consider the different Audience
theories and their relationship to
narrative
•Any issues surrounding the genre
and appeal of the film in it’s story
Key Terms and Theories
• Todorov
• Propp
• Barthes
• Levi-Strauss
• Character Arcs
• Structure and Devices
• Themes and Ideology
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19. Homework
• Write an essay answer to the question
• DUE: ??/6/2015
Develop
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20. Plenary
• Can you tell todays lesson as a story?
• How might you include any of the 4 Narrative
Theories?
• Can you use any Narrative Devices?
Celebrate
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