Learning Objectives
• To understand what is meant by the term
‘narrative’.
• To become familiar with key narrative
theories.
Narrative: what’s the story?
What must all good narratives
contain?
Narrative Theory
• E:\Saltash\Media Studies\AS
Media\AS\MS1\Narrative Theories.doc
• E:\Saltash\Media Studies\AS
Media\AS\MS1\Narrative theories stick
man.docx
Vladimir Propp
Propp researched the roles of characters in narratives.
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The villain — struggles against the hero.
The dispatcher —character who makes the lack known and sends the
hero off.
The (magical) helper — helps the hero in the quest.
The princess or prize — the hero deserves her throughout the story but is
unable to marry her because of an unfair evil, usually because of the
villain. the hero's journey is often ended when he marries the princess,
thereby beating the villain.
Her father — gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, marries
the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that
functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished.
The donor —prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.
The hero or victim/seeker hero — reacts to the donor, weds the princess.
False hero — takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the
princess.
It’s the narrative challenge!
There are six narrative challenges. In 2s or 3s you
will need to complete your given challenge and
present it to the class. Whoop! Whoop!
Narrative challenge: 1
• Construct a storyboard of your day so far (on
paper or using imovie).
• Which aspects have you selected and why?
• What have you omitted, and why?
• Is your story linear?
• What camera shots have you chosen? Why?
Narrative challenge: 2
• Choose a film or TV programme that follows Todorov’s
frame for linear narrative
(equilibrium>disequilibrium>new equilibrium).
• Break down the narrative into the sections suggested
(describe what happens in each section. Add screen
shots – shift + command + 3).
• Why do you think audiences like linear narratives?
• Storyboard (either on paper or digitally) a linear plot
outline for a new TV programme/film using these
stages.
Narrative challenge: 3
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Multi-stranded narratives
On Youtube, watch the opening of ‘Waking the
Dead’, ‘Casualty’ or ‘Hollyoaks’.
What narrative strands (storylines) are
introduced in the opening of the episode?
(Provide screen shots please: shift + command +
3 ).
Are they driven by plot, setting or relationships?
How do they appeal to regular and new
audiences?
Narrative challenge: 4
• Watch the trailer for the film Crash (2004).
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00YDv5JqRY
• How does this trailer challenge Todorov’s
suggestion that narratives are linear?
• What different narrative strands (storylines)
are introduced?
• Provide screen shots to illustrate your answer
(shift + command + 3).
Narrative challenge: 5
• Compare the narrative – watch the trailers for
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3tedlWs1XY
(Reveal trailer)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQv90T800k
w&feature=relmfu (Villain trailer)
• Compare them in terms of structure, characters,
technical and audio codes.
• How are they constructed to appeal to
audiences?
Narrative challenge: 6
• Storyboard (on paper or digitally) the opening
sequence for a TV drama or film employing
the following plot outlines and using a range
of narrative devices:
– A murder
– Establishing a setting
– Establishing the feelings of a character
– Creating an atmosphere
– Creating suspense