Narratives play an important role in film making. They are about things happening in a specific order, allowing the audience to clearly understand the content of the film and comprehend the meanings intended by the director. For a film to be successful in this way, it needs to be structured correctly.
Most commonly, narratives develop in a linear way, chronologically, where a set of events links into one another throughout the movie, developing a simple plot line. However, some movies, such as Pulp Fiction, follow a non-linear path. These types of films often use flashbacks in order to purposely interrupt the chronology.
There are many different theories behind narratives.
The Three Tvetzan Todorov Stages:
- Equilibrium (introductions)
- Disruption (introduces a problem)
- Resolution (all issues are resolved)
PROPP:
Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic in the 1920's. As more and more films were being produced, he became increasing interested in the narrative of folk tales. Via research, he identified a theory about different characters and actions as narrative functions within film.
The Seven Archetypes -
- Overcoming the monster
- Rags to riches
- The Quest
- Voyage and Return
- Comedy
- Tragedy
- Rebirth
Character theories -
- The Hero - a character that seeks something
- The Villain - who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest
- The Donor - who provides an object with magical properties
- The Dispatcher - who sends the hero on their quest
- The False Hero - who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims
- The Helper - who aids the hero
- The Princess - acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plots
- Her Father - who acts to reward the hero for their effort
There can also be a parallel narrative which includes two stories going on within film.
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