Post on 24-Jun-2015
description
Narrative StructuresNarrative structure for Moving Image
texts
Narrative Vs. Story?
Story Narrative
The sequence of events that the character(s) go
through.
The way in which the events are presented
to an audience.
Important events are deliberately
displayed or hidden from the characters
Example – Murder Mystery
a) Crime Conceivedb) Crime Plannedc) Crime Committedd) Crime Discovered
e) Detective Investigates
f) Detective Reveals a, b, and c
STORY
NARRATIVE
The story of a night out…?
1. Got ready at home2. Left home to walk to a friends house3. Hung out with some friends listening to music4. Ordered a takeout pizza on the phone5. Ate some pizza6. Walked to the bus stop and got the bus into
town7. Went to a bar8. Had a few drinks9. Waited at the bar for half an hour to get served10.Left and went home11.Felt really sick and passed out
The narrative of a night out
1. Got ready at home2. Left home to walk to a friends house3. Hung out with some friends listening to music4. Ordered a takeout pizza on the phone5. Ate some pizza6. Walked to the bus stop and got the bus into town7. Went to a bar8. Had a few drinks9. Waited at the bar for half an hour to get
served10.Left and went home11.Felt really sick and passed out
Narrative devices (time)
Device PurposeFlash
Back/ForwardTo fill in the gaps from a story
Dream Sequence Offers the audience an alternative sequence of events
RepetitionAllow the audience to watch the event again in order to spot new
information
Narrative devices (story)
Device Purpose
ForeshadowingTo give an audience a hint of something that is yet to come
(builds tension)
Exposition Explains part of the plot to the audience
Red Herring A false clue to give the audience the wrong idea
Some examples
• Exposition in Inception
• Exposition in Inception (2)
• Blatant Exposition in Wayne's World
• Exposition / Flashbacks in The Incredibles
Todorov Theory (Bulgarian Literary Theorist)
• The equilibrium within a story can exist before the narrative properly starts…
Equilibrium ResolutionDisruption
Narrative Codes
• Enigma codes – any question that is posed to the audience
• Action codes – any action that drives the narrative forwards
Examples of narrative codes
Action Codes Enigma Codes
A phone ringingA knock at the door
A police sirenA gunshot
An interruptionA news report
Unidentified peopleAn unidentified location
Lack of exposition
Any question that is posed to be answered
later
Binary Oppositions
• Claude Levi Strauss suggested that all narratives were driven forward by conflict that was caused by a series of opposing forces.
• When two characters had different intentions / desires then the conflict between them moved the story/narrative forward.
Binary Opposites
Try and think of as many binary opposites that exist within society
Binary OppositesInside / OutsideHero / VillainWest / East
Man / AnimalProtect / Threaten
Good/EvilStrong / WeakDemocracy / Dictatorship
Beautiful / UglyAllow / Prohibit
Peace / WarInnocent / Guilty
Truth / LiesRetain / Lose
First world / Third world
Wisdom / IgnoranceAction / Inaction
Domestic / ForeignLove / HateLove / Lust
An (obvious) example
Good / Light / Stability / Justice /
Business / Logic
Evil / Dark / Chaos / Insanity / Crime / Anarchy
Another examplePeace / intelligence / loneliness / thoughtfulness / books / veganism
Mischief / popularity / stupidity / spontaneity / TV / junk food
Summary
• Action and Enigma codes are used to keep the audience engaged in a text.
• Conflict through binary opposition drives narratives forwards