1. FM2 – Section C
Comparative Analysis of TWO US
films from the same genre

2. Starter Task
Note down a definition of
the following terms:
ANTAGONIST
PROTAGONIST
The main character of a
film for whom the
audience are intended
to identify with.
Aka. Heroes / Main
Characters
A character / group /
organistion that
represent opposition
against which the
PROTAGONIST must
battle. Aka The Villain /
Enemy etc
Identify the key PROTAGONISTS & ANTAGONISTS from both
War of the Worlds & Invasion of the Body Snatchers

3. Learning
Objectives
Identify Key terms:
Narrative
&
Story
Apply narrative theories
to our focus films
Evaluate the use of
narrative devices in IOTBS

4. In your exam you must be able to distinguish the
difference between ‘Narrative’ & ‘Story’
Key Terms
STORY - is used to describe the whole
set of events in, or suggested by the
film
Story involves not only the event we
see on screen but also other events
mentioned, or events we do not see
They buried them, Ray,
years ago, right under are
feet, right under our feet...
They've been planning this
for a million years, and
these are just the first,
they'll keep coming, Ray!
Write a short synopsis of the story of War of
the Worlds

5. Narrative
Narrative – is a way or organising information so it makes
sense
Narrative refers to the structure of the story itself
You may have noticed that most films appear to
follow a very similar pattern in terms of structure
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle identified a
trend that most narratives followed
He claims narrative can be split in to 5 distinct
stages

6. Narrative
Exposition
Introduces the setting and the characters to the film
audience
Development
Storyline is developed and audience introduced to
more characters
Complication
A complicating event is introduced that will adversely
effect the lives of the characters
Climax
Dramatic tensions are at their height and everything
comes to a head – usually depicted in a battle between
the ‘Protagonists’ and ‘Antagonists’ characters

7. Narrative
Resolution
The end of the film where stability is re-established
and a sense of calm has been restored
Using your handouts apply the FIVE STAGES of Aristotle’s
narrative theory to the short film you are about to watch
Extension – pick 5 moments or actions that best
demonstrated the stages in each film

8. Each event in a story tends to lead to another – it is very
rare that a scene in a film will not move the narrative
forward or have a connection to scenes either side of it
This is called ‘Cause & Effect’
E.g. Fellowship of the Ring
Escape and
meet Strider
Bilbo gives
the ring to
Frodo and
leaves
Frodo begins
a journey to
Rivendell
Frodo meets
the other
Hobbits
Attacked by
Ring Wraiths
Frodo meets
the other
Hobbits
Cause and Effect

9. Cause and Effect
Tzvetan Todorov devised a theory that explained how films
use the ‘cause and effect’ model to propel their narratives
He states that the function of a narrative is to
solve a problem – and each event takes the
film closer to its end when all events / issues
will be resolved
He states that most narratives can be split in
to five distinct sections:

10. Equilibrium
A condition in which everything is in a state of order
Disruption
Equilibrium is disrupted either by a force of some kind or
through the actions of the characters
Recognition
The characters of the film acknowledge the disruption taking
place
Attempt to Repair
The characters will attempt to repair the disruption and take
actions that lead towards the end of the narrative
Return to Equilibrium
Equilibrium (condition in which everything is in a state of order)
is re-established and a sense of order is restored
1
2
3
4
5

11. Using your handouts apply the FIVE STAGES of Todorov’s
narrative theory to both focus films
Extension – pick 5 scenes or actions that best
demonstrated the stages in each film

12. Match the keywords with their
definitions
A section of the film or the story is
referred back to.
A section of the film from the future is
shown before it would normally have
happened
Where part of the film (often the end) is
unpredictable or even shocking
Where the lives of characters move
alongside each other for some of the film
without them meeting.
A form of editing that can show a lot of
time or events passing in a short
collection of shots
MONTAGE
FLASHBACK
FLASHFORWARD
PARALLEL
NARRATIVES
TWIST
FLASHFORWARD
FLASHBACK
TWIST
MONTAGE
PARALLEL
NARRATIVES

13. Narrative Devices
What is the purpose of this flashback – what devices
are used to remind the audience this is a flashback?
The
Usual
Suspects
(1995)
dir.
Bryan
Singer

14. Narration: Voice Over
Watch this use of voice over- what function does it
serve?
Sin
City
(2005)
dir.
Frank
Miller
&
Robert
Rodriguez

15. Montage
There is no better way to understand montage than to see
one!

16. IOTBS & Narrative
Working in pairs create a list of reasons why the
director Don Siegel chose to use both flashbacks
and narration (voice Over) in Invasion of the
BodySnatchers
Consider:
The effect on the audience
How these techniques provide certain
information to the audience
How the use of flashbacks and narration impact
on how we see / relate to Dr. Miles

17. Summary
Narrative is a method of storytelling
It refers to the structure of the film and begins at the first
second, ending at the last
Todorov states most narratives can be split in to five
distinct section
Equilibrium
Disruption
Recognition
Attempt to Repair
Return to Equilibrium
Not all films follow this structure – you must consider the
reasons why IOTBS does not have a clear resolution

18. A/S Film Studies
FM2 – SECTION C
AMERICAN FILM

19. Levi Strauss argued that meaning making systems, such
as narrative rely on sets of ‘Binary Oppositions’
Claude Levi-
Strauss
Binary Oppositions are conflicts
between two elements, which are
expressed as opposites
e.g. ‘Good’ Versus ‘Evil’
Binary Oppositions help make a
narrative easier to understand as they
provide the characters with a clear
conflict that must be resolved before the
narrative can end
Vs.

20. Binary oppositions reduce any situation down to two
possible states, with two possible outcomes
Binary
Oppositions
The oppositions in a narrative create
tension and conflict and the audience pick
sides
We usually root for the protagonists and
hope that they over come the evil they face
The main function of binary oppositions are to reduce
complex ideas down to two opposing states
In doing so a conflict / disruption is created that must
be repaired before the narrative’s resolution
GOOD EVIL

21. Levi Struass argued that binary oppositions in films
reinforce the values of the societies that make them
Binary
Oppositions
Good Vs. Evil
Right Vs. Wrong
Justice Vs. Crime
Hero Vs. Villain
As we have become familiar with narratives that reinforce our
values (justice must over come crime / good must overcome evil
etc) we have come to expect our films to contain & reinforce these
values
When films / character do not embody these values audiences
may reject the film as it is in conflict with their own values

22. Using the space on your handouts, create a list of the
binary oppositions that are typical of the Science Fiction
Genre
Binary
Oppositions
Now make a list of all the Binary Oppositions that are contained
within both of our focus films

23. Binary oppositions reduce any situation down to two
possible states, with two possible outcomes
Propp’s Character
types
Vladimir Propp developed a theory about characters
and their actions or roles within a narrative.
Characters, according to Propp, have a narrative
‘function’; they provide a structure for the text.
He also identified the role that character interaction
plays in setting a narrative in motion, pushing it
along, and finally bringing it to a ‘satisfying’
conclusion. (Cause and Effect)
Propp studied over 100 Russian folk tales and created a
list of conventions that appeared consistently
His study is called ‘Morphology of the Folktale’

24. One of the features Propp identified as being consistent
throughout the work he studied was the types of
characters that appeared
Morphology of the
Folktale
He claimed that the number of characters
in a narrative was limited to 31
Each of the 31 characters has a specific
function or role that ultimately contributes
to the resolution of the narrative
The seven main character types are as
follows:

25. Morphology of the
Folktale
The Hero
seeking something, to fullfill a ‘lack’ of some kind
The Donor
Aids the hero by giving them an item – usually
magical – that will help them on their quest
The Villain
opposes the hero – their goal is to make the hero
fail
The Dispatcher
send the hero on a quest of some kind
(Dispatcher may begin the journey with the hero,
but rarely completes the entire journey)

26. Morphology of the
Folktale
The Helper
assists the Hero in some way
The False Hero
Disrupts the hero’s success by making
false claims (often speaking and acting like a
hero) before being exposed as a non-hero
The Princess (not always a female character)
doubles as a reward for the hero and / or
the object of the villains plot
Pick ONE of the following three trailers and
identify the character types from the film
TASK:

27. 27
‘Villain’ ‘Princess’
‘Helper
’
‘Helper
’
‘Donor’
‘Despatcher’
‘Helper
’
‘Helper
’
‘Hero’

28. Cause & Effect
Characters
The characters in a narrative are the main agents
of ‘cause & effect’
Each character will act out of a ‘personal motive’ –
when they are introduced we learn about their
motives i.e. what are their aims?
These motives are the cause of the events that
unfold in the narrative around the character
As a result, the motives will drive the character
and become the cause of action within the text
What are the motivation of both Miles and
Ray?

29. Cause & Effect
Characters
Analysis character motivation is essential if we are
to understand the messages contained with a film
The main motivations of characters will come in to
conflict with those of other characters who are
attempting to achieve other goals
This is the cause of tension in the narrative and
the effect can lead to confrontations / actions
What conflicts do Ray and Miles face?
How do these conflicts impact on how we
respond to the film?

30. Cause & Effect
Characters
Conflicts are essential to narrative as the force it to
progress
As with any conflict we are invited to take sides
Why are we more likely to take the side of the
protagonist?
We take their side because we are seeing the world
through their eyes
If they see something as dangerous, we have no choice
but to share their opinions
Why is it important we take the side of Miles
in IOTBS?

31. Cause & Effect
Characters
Miles see’s the Pod People as a threat to American
society
As a result we adopt that view point and see them as
antagonistic
By doing so, the director has manipulated our
response to the film and in-directly, encouraged us to
feel the same way as Miles
How does this allow filmmakers to challenge
opinions of their audiences?

32. Cause & Effect
Characters
Using the information in your handouts and notes
made in lessons, create a mind map containing all
possible areas of discussion for the following exam
question:
How does this allow filmmakers to challenge
opinions of their audiences?

33. Criticism of Propp’s Theory
• AS Level examiners have grown to HATE Propp- because
everyone learns the lists & tries to apply it to any
narrative they are discussing.
• Propp’s theory applies quite easily to fairy stories, and to
other similar narratives based around 'quests' - IT DOES
NOT APPLY TO ALL NARRATIVES.
• Repeating the same formula will put people off seeing a
film where they can predict exactly how the plot will
develop.
• BUT…Of course, there are others who will gain
satisfaction from this same experience.