Media Factsheet; NARRATIVE

PART A 

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

• Sherlock [Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffatt]

PART B

1. How could you show that the scene was taking place early
in the morning? (temporal marker)

• You could show the scene takes place during the morning by including a shot of the sunrise, or perhaps an alarm clock showing the time.

2. How would you show your film was set in London?
(geographical marker)

• By including a shot of famous London landmarks such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

3. What methods could you use to make it clear the text is set
in the 1960s? (historical marker)

• Perhaps by including the shot of a calendar or an important historical event being spoken about on the radio. 

4. How could you make it clear one of the characters is a
married policeman? (character marker)

• You could include a shot of the policeman in uniform, kissing his partner or a shot of his wedding ring as he gets dressed for the day.

5. What could you do to show the audience they are watching
a thriller? (generic marker)

• By including conventional thriller characteristics such as tense music or a muted colour palette

This clip is from Bottle Rocket (1996) Dir. Wes Anderson

The most notable markers are the bland, hospital-like room as well as the hospital bracelet which help establish both setting (geographical)  and character (character). The setting being a hospital, perhaps a mental hospital or sanctuary due to lack of medical equipment at first and then gradually moving to a part of America due to the accents and scenery perhaps Dallas. and the characters placement as a patient or by the end of the scene ex patient. Another notable marker is the era this film is set in, the use of dialogue suggests it goes against the original generic markers of the music and 'bright' colours to follow the conventions of a crime film implied the dialogue between the characters and shots of Dignans 'Plan'.

PART C

Three examples from film or tv that fit Propp's Hero Role.

Belle (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)

Belle is the 'hero' character of beauty and the beast since despite being in many predicaments where she takes the conventional 'princess' role of Propp's theory, overall she saves Adam and the utensils from their curse.

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars Franchise) 

Luke is the 'hero' of Star wars due to his quests and trials and tribulations faced that lead the innumerable heroic conventions he experiences throughout the series making him the hero.

John McClane (Die Hard, 1988)

John, like Luke Skywalker fits the image of a conventional hero. In the first Die Hard movie, he is put in a high risk situation and 'saves' everyone which is completely parallel to the ideals of what a hero does.

Give an example of Binary Opposition.

• Hero/Villain

What example is given in the factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

• The 'winner' often represents dominant ideals and values of our society so when a criminal is caught in a movie it further emphasises the ideologies of our societies law and order.

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

• Problems and their complexities provide enigmas for the audience as their curiosity is sparked and they want to see the actions and solutions that take place which will lead to a conclusion.

Write a one sentence summary of the four different types of tv narrative;

• Episodic

Narratives that have many parts but the narrative arc is resolved by the end of each episode.

• Overarching

Narratives don't reach the resolution at the end of an episode but rather at the end of a series.

• Mixed Narrative

Narratives can be resolved within episodes but some narrative arcs last over a longer period of time therefore making it a mix between episodic and overarching.

• Multi-strand overlapping narrative

A continuous narrative with a number of different narratives concerning different characters that play out simultaneously.

How does the factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?

Adverts use narratives to sell their product by presenting a problem, the specific product can resolve such as showing someone with bad breath and then immediately promoting their toothpaste as the solution.