Narrative Structure

Narrative Structure

Narrative- The story/plot of a film/TV show/ radio show

Conventions- Beginning, middle and end

Characters- some good or some bad

Types of TV dramas:

·      Single drama

·      Soap (continuing)

·      Serial (more than one series)

·      Anthology series (self-contained episodes, each based on different characters)

·      Long-form series drama: The Avengers

·      Long-form series drama with some narrative experimentation

Continuity Editing: An editing style that aims to present the text in a chronological manner to emphasize the real-time movement of the narrative and to create a sense of realism for the viewer by giving the impression of continuous filming. Continuity editing creates a narrative that suggests a real experience of moving through time, even though screen time usually covers a much longer period. Audiences fell comfortable with a linear progression that reflects their everyday experience.

Linear Narrative: A sequential narrative with a beginning, middle and an end-in that order. Linear narratives provide a straightforward, sequential representation of accessible to audiences and are the dominant form in mainstream media representations.

Todorov Theory:

Equilibrium- a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

5 stages:

Applied to Cinderella:

1.    Cinderella is living with her dad.

2.    Dad dies. Step mum and ugly step sisters move in. They are horrible to Cinderella.

3.    She is treated like a slave, recognises her life is now awful.

4.    Fairy Godmother tries to help her. She meets Prince Charming, who falls in love with her. She loses her glass slipper.

5.    She falls in love with the prince. She leaves those who kept her captive. She lives happily ever after.

Cuffs:

1.    Jake gets a new job working as a police officer.

2.    He goes on his first job.

3.    Ryan expresses he isn’t very good.

4.    He saves Ryan’s life.

5.    They accept him to the team.

Strauss Theory:

·      Binary oppositions=a conflict between two opposites

·      Evil VS Good

·      Rich VS Poor

·      Black VS White

1.    A couple wake up and go downstairs to breakfast. They do not realise that they are being watched by terrorists.

2.    Suddenly there is a bang on the door and Jack and Dora see a gun reflected by the sun.

3.    All the windows smash around Jack and Dora and the terrorists burst through the door.

4.    Jack grabs a kitchen knife and kills both terrorists.

5.    Jack and Dora dispose of the bodies, sit down, and have a tasty breakfast.

Peer assessed by Aden Brazil

You have used a gun, which is a part of the codes and conventions of a crime drama.

You have applied Todorov theory.