The document discusses binary oppositions and character roles in narratives. It explains that binary oppositions are conflicts between two opposing qualities or terms that help audiences understand narratives. It then lists Vladimir Propp's theory that characters fall into seven main roles with specific narrative functions: the hero, villain, donor, dispatcher, helper, princess, and false hero. Their interactions advance the narrative to a conclusion. Character motivation and conflict are also important for analysis, as different characters work towards different goals.
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An overview of approaches to emotional response in Film & Cinema Studies. Contains a range of theories, approaches and examples including Barthes, Hypodermic Needle Theory, Censorship & Reception Theory. Includes work on Kill Bill, V for Vendetta, Hitchcock's Psycho, the Lumiere Brothers and George Melies.
A2 Film A-Level Film Studies FM4 Spectatorship RevisionIan Moreno-Melgar
A PowerPoint that collates a range of key ideas for the FM4 Spectatorhship area of A2 Film Studies. There may be some formatting issues with the presentation as it was created using Keynote and there are often compatibility issues. The contents of this presentation is a mix of original work and ideas and words taken from a multitude of various sources. I haven't credited anyone directly and if you have any objection to your content appearing in this presentation, please get in touch and I'll be more than happy to accomodate your needs.
1. Narrative – Part 2
What are ‘Binary Opposites’?
French structural theorist Claude Levi-Strauss argued that meaning-making systems (such as narrative) use
sets of 'binary oppositions’
Binary
Opposites
French structural theorist Claude Levi-Strauss argued that meaning-making systems (such as narrative) use
sets of 'binary oppositions'
These are conflicts between two qualities or terms, which are expressed as opposites.
Binary oppositions help to make narratives easier to understand.
The absence of clearly defined characters and values may confuse audiences who are expecting them.
Draw up a list of Binary Oppositions that you think are typical of the Science Fiction genre film
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2. Draw up a list of binary oppositions in the focus films’ narratives. War of the Worlds or IOTBS
Film Title: EXAMPLES FROM TEXT
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Vladimir Propp
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.
He suggested that the number of characters in a narrative was limited to 31, although we
will consider the seven main ones.
His work has also been applied to films, and it is possible, for example, to use Propp's
theory to fit the character types in a range of feature films.
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3. Character
Character Purpose
Title
The Hero
The Villain
The Donor
The
Dispatcher
The Helper
The Princess
The False-
Hero
Character motivation is an important aspect to consider when we are analysing a film.
Characters come into conflict with other characters that may be acting out different
motives and are intent on achieving different goals.
Conflict is central to the functioning of narrative, not least because it is conflict that invites
us, the audience, to take sides.
All others characters motivations are governed by the Hero Character!
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