The document discusses several narrative theories and how they can be applied to the film opening described. It summarizes Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium being disrupted and restored, and how this relates to the film opening. It also summarizes Propp's 8 character roles and how some apply to the film, such as the hero and villain. Finally, it discusses Levi-Strauss' concept of binary oppositions and Barthes' narrative codes of enigma, action, and symbols/signs and provides examples of each from the film opening.

1. Narrative Theory

2. Todorov Todorov suggested that stories begin in a state of equilibrium which is disturbed by an event or chain of events, the problems are resolved to restore a new equilibrium Equilibrium disruption new equilibrium This can bee seen in our film opening. The characters equilibrium is that they are cops, the disruption is the fact they lose a criminal and the chief takes their badges, their new equilibrium is now trying to take down the criminals their on way. Regular police men criminal gets away, badges are removed they have to bring down the villains their way

3. Propp Propp studied 100’s of folk tales and came up with the idea that there was 8 character roles; The hero The villain The donor- who provides an object with magic ability The helper- who aids the hero The princess- a reward for the hero The father- who rewards the hero The dispatcher-sends hero on his way The false hero Some of the roles can be applied to our movie or genre of movie. The hero-CJ and Smoke The villain- the leader of the organisation CJ and smoke are trying to ‘bust’ The donor-N/A The helper-this could be applied to both CJ and Smoke as they act as each others helpers as well as being heroes The princess-the reward would be to save the city from the crime organisation, the city is their princess The father- this would be the mayor of the town or the police chief for saving the day The dispatcher-N/A The false hero- in this genre of movie often their is a companion or ex officer who seems to help the heore and then deceives them

4. Levi-Strauss Levis-strauss looked at narrative in terms of binary oppositions; Good evil Earth space Known unknown We can see these binary oppositions in our movie opening from the lead characters; CJ smoke Rule breaker rule follower Informal formal Relaxed uptight

5. Barthes Barthes believed that there were narrative codes; Enigma codes- these are what keep us guessing and drawing us into the film Action codes-this shows us action occurring Symbols and signs- certain symbols and signs represent and have connotations of other things E.G. A big yellow M represents McDonalds Out movie opening contains some of these beliefs Enigma codes- at the end of the opening were left guessing who murdered the criminal Action codes- their is a chase scene which offers action in the opening as well as action at the end when the criminal is murdered Symbols and signs- we have used costume and setting to symbolise crime, the criminal is wearing a leather jacket and at the end scene he is seen in a dark room counting money with a bottle of whiskey which symbolises an element of seedienss.