Narrative

Read Media Factsheet 14 - Telling Stories: The Media's Use of Narrative and answer the following questions:

1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. 

The Netflix series Stranger Things is a great example of Todorov's narrative structure. The first season of the show begins in equilibrium, with the characters living in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. This is disrupted when a young girl named Eleven appears and many strange events begin to take place in the town. After a series of events and confrontations with supernatural forces, the characters are able to restore equilibrium and the Hawkins is back to its peaceful state by the end of the season.

2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.

The intro of the TV drama Outer Banks introduces the setting, characters, and plot of the show in an effective and engaging way.The setting of the show is established through a series of shots of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a coastal region known for its beaches, fishing, and seafaring culture. The shots also hint at the show's themes of class and wealth, as the characters are seen in front of luxurious beach homes and expensive yachts. The characters are introduced through a series of quick vignettes that establish the relationships between the main characters: John B, Kiara, Pope, and JJ. We quickly learn that John B is the leader of the group and is desperate to find his missing father, while Kiara is the brains of the operation. Pope and JJ are the wildcards, adding comedic relief and a bit of chaos to the group dynamic.The plot is established through a series of snippets of dialogue and glimpses of the characters' lives. We learn that the group is on the hunt for a hidden treasure, and that the search for this treasure has become increasingly dangerous. 

3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.

1. Harry Potter

2. Katniss Everdeen

3. Buffy Summers

4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

Good/Evil

5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

"Vin Diesel is probably more appropriate as a hero in an action film." - because of his bigger more muscle esc build

6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?

Enigma and action codes offer gratifications for audiences because they allow viewers to engage in an active process of interpreting and understanding a text. By attempting to uncover the codes, viewers become actively invested in the story, which increases their engagement and enjoyment. Additionally, codes can provide a sense of challenge and accomplishment when they are successfully deciphered. This can lead to a feeling of satisfaction and gratification.

7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:

• Episodic narrative (the series) - Episodic narratives consist of a series of interrelated stories or episodes focusing on the same characters and their experiences.
• Overarching narrative (the serial) - The overarching narrative of this story is that a small group of people come together to fight against a powerful enemy and ultimately succeed in saving their people.
• Mixed narrative - A mixed narrative story is one that combines both first-person and third-person perspectives, often to provide a unique insight into the characters' emotions and motivations.
• Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative) - A multi-strand overlapping narrative is a storytelling technique in which multiple stories are told simultaneously, often intersecting and influencing one another in order to create a complex, layered narrative.

8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?  

In advertising the idea of the problem and resolution is crucial.
Often adverts set up a problem (bad breath) and then immediately
offer the solution (buy their toothpaste) to create a swift resolution
(fresh breath)