narrative structure

1. Narrative
structure

2. What is narrative structure?
Narrative is the media term for story telling, it’s the way different elements of
mise-en-scene are constructed to compose a film. A narrative can be open or
closed- open meaning there isn’t a conclusive ending, closed meaning there's
closure to the story. A narrative is informed by the characters , action and the
setting.

3. Todorov’s narrative structure
Todorovidentifiesconventionalnarratives:
1.Equillibrium-A stateof stability/peaceat thestartof a film.
2. Disruption-A problemoccurs thatdisruptsthestateof peace.
3.Recgnitionof the disruption-Charactersin thefilm beginto realisethere’sa problem.
4.An attempt to repairthe damage-Charactersattemptto resolvethedamage
5. New equilibrium-Theproblem issolvedandthestateof stabilityis aleto resumeagain.
ThistypeofstructureisconventionalwithinmainstreamfilmssuchasSpiderman.
Titanic,Lordofthering.

4. Levi-Strauss narrative theory
Levi Strauss examined how stories express
similar values and myths of cultures which he
suggests are portrayed through binary
positions- a conflict between two qualities.
For example Hero vs villain. Examples of
movies that use binary opposition are star
wars and man vs machine.

5. Vladimir Propp
Propp suggested that there are certain character types
within narrative structures specifically there are
conventional character types used within every
narrative.
1.The hero- fights off the villain
2.The villain- struggles against the hero. They’re
typically deemed to be intimidating and frightening.
3.The doner- Helps the hero to defeat the villain
4.Princesss- the character who is captured be the villain
and needs to be rescued by the hero.
Examples of these character types in mainstream films.