1. The document discusses Todorov's theory of narrative structure, which states that narratives follow a pattern of equilibrium disrupted by an event, followed by a quest to restore the equilibrium. 2. The opening of the film challenges Todorov's theory by starting in medias res, with the protagonist already running from someone to portray a disrupted equilibrium. However, it adheres to some aspects of the theory by including a character whose actions further disrupt the equilibrium. 3. The opening also shows the protagonist beginning a quest to understand what happened by making a phone call, indicating the quest to restore equilibrium will ensue as the narrative continues.

1. 1.In what ways does your
media product use,
develop, or challenge
forms and conventions of
real media products?

2. Todorov’sTheory
Todorov stated that “narratives are led by events in a cause
and effect format”. He stated that the narrative “starts with
an equilibrium, an action/character disrupts the equilibrium,
a quest to restore the equilibrium ensues, the narrative
moves to a confrontation/climax, resolution/equilibrium is
restored.

3. How Our Film Opening Compares

4. “Starts with an equilibrium”
Our film opening immediately challengesTodorov’s theory,
as it starts with our main character straight away running
away from someone.This instantly portrays to the viewer
that the equilibrium is disrupted and that something has
gone wrong, so the opening starts off with the viewer
seeing action straight away without any backstory.

6. “An action/character disrupts the
equilibrium”
Our film adheres to the next step with “an action/character
disrupts the equilibrium”.The film starts off with a character
disrupting the equilibrium, so it follows this rule but also
challenges it, as there was no equilibrium to begin with.
We also include a vision of a person which our protagonist
sees, so in a way this character follows this rule as it disrupts
the equilibrium that the audience has already seen, by
adding another aspect to the plot through the mystery.

8. “Quest to restore the equilibrium
ensues”
We addressed this issue briefly during our opening, as after
our protagonist sees the vision, he picks up his phone and
dials an unknown number to tell him what happened.This
shows that our character is in the process of finding out
what has happened to him, and going to try to stop it.This
is evidence that the equilibrium is eventually going to be
restored.

10. “The narrative moves to a
confrontation/climax,
resolution/equilibrium is restored”
We were unable to address these areas as our film was only
an opening. I do feel that if we were to create a full film,
then these would have been addressed, and would have
most likely followedTodorov’s process.