Narrative & Narrative Theory

Narrative is very important whilst making a film. It differs from the story massively. How the story is told and the plot itself.

Todorov’s Theory – Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films and programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for the protagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative.

Barthes’ Enigma Code – The narrative will establish enigmas or mysteries as it goes along. Essentially, the narrative functions to establish and then solve these mysteries.

Propp’s Theory –Vladimir Propp’s theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies Russian fairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. He did not state these characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 different character types and only 31 things they ever do. Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) it’s easy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever). This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.

In my film project ---, I hope to use Todorov's theory of basic structures. The idea for my film will be fairly simple, and the entertainment shall come from the journey the characters take on and the resolution at the end.

Preliminary location shots - old project

These are a few of the pictures we took for location shots. These are just preliminary photographs of the school the characters go to; and an alley in which the main event will occur. These shots are likely to happen at night, and with the street lights providing good mood lighting, and creating a sense of impending doom. The shots of the school won't feature massively in the trailer, but when they do they will be as they appear in the photos taken.

The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy

The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy, is a series of films created by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, and starring Pegg and Nick Frost in leading roles, with many recurring actors within British comedy appearing in supporting roles. The first two films in the series are Shaun of the Dead, a zombie comedy with romantic comedy elements, and Hot Fuzz, a buddy cop action/comedy film. A third film, provisionally titled The World's End, is slated for the future.

Each film is connected to a Cornetto ice cream flavour - both of the films released to date feature scenes in which one of the main characters purchases a Cornetto of the appropriate flavour. Shaun of the Dead features a red strawberry Cornetto, Hot Fuzz includes a blue Classico flavour, and The World's End is due to feature a green mint chocolate chip ice-cream. The use of the three colours of Cornetto is a reference to Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours film trilogy.

The first two of this trilogy have been incredibly influential on our taste in films and has certainly given us some inspiration from creating our own film

Individual work that has been done in the group

Harry

• Research into films that have influenced our project
• Research into narrative theory (todorov etc)
• Ideas for film project (recent ideas that have since been abandoned)
• Contributed to mood board work
• Researched directors and their debut films (edgar wright etc)
• Started work for final film project

Dan

• Ideas for film concepts (recent and current)
• Research into other genres of films
• Contributed to mood board work
• Started work for final film project

We hope to conclude the planning of our film project within the next two weeks, and hopefully start filming, and conclude before Christmas.