Narrative blog task

Complete the following questions using the Media Factsheet resource available on the Media Shared drive. 

You'll find them in our Media Factsheet archive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets

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. 

An example from film that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium is 'Cradle 2 the Grave(2003)'. This film follows Todorov's narrative theory. It begins in a somewhat existing state of harmony as a group of bank robbers plot a bank robbery to steal jewellery from rich drug dealers. As the film develops the equilibrium is disrupted by a group of villains that hold the hero's daughter at ransom until his givers them the black stones. In the end the conflict is resolved by them saving his daughter and killing the villains which restores harmony. 

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.

This is the opening of the drama series 'Empire' season 4. The use of the families costume (which relates back to mise - en - scene) makes the family appear more sophisticated. This makes the audience perceive the family as being of a higher class. Two different aspects of their lifestyles are portrayed in the opening sequence of season 4 - loving family vs personal issues. Their loving family bond is shown through the use of the characters sticking together through their trials and tribulations. Their personal issues are shown through the explosion of the car. 

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

4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

Binary Opposition is something that opposes one another within a text where only one idea comes out victorious. E.g. Black vs White, good vs evil, or even hot vs cold. An example of binary opposition in film/TV is Jekyll & Hyde - His evil personality vs his respectable image towards society. 

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

Binary oppositions can be very useful to help identify the ideology of the text. The winner often represents the dominant ideas and values of our culture. An example of this is when the policeman captures the criminal in a crime drama- the ideology of the value of law and order is emphasised.

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

Enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences because viewers are more drawn to the text as they want to know what actions will be undertaken and how issues revolving around them will be solved. Particular emotions are generated by the narrative for the audience, however this depends on the genre. Examples are:

• Fear- horror movie
• Excitement- action movie
• Empathy/ Sympathy- soap/drama narrative
• Suspense/ tension- thriller

These emotional responses help draw the audience into the movie.

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

• Episodic narrative (the series): Each series has its own narrative arc, so within the episode the problem is always solved. Each episode has it's own problem that gets solved.
• Overarching narrative (the serial): The series uses the conventional narrative arc over a number of episodes. The resolution normally takes place at the end of the season within the series. Often, the beginning of each episode begins with a summary of what happened in the previous episode. 
• Mixed narrative: Some TV shows use both types of narratives. This is where smaller conflicts are resolved in each episode with a main narrative featured in most episodes.
• Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative): These have continuous narratives and tell different stories at the same time - also known as an open narrative.

8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?

In adverts the narrative idea of problem and resolution is often used as it is seen to be crucial to promote products. Adverts tend to set up problems and then immediately after offer a solution to create a swift revolution.