Media Theories - Narrative

All narratives follow a common structure (applied to A2 short film)

• State of equilibrium (equilibrium is implied rather than shown: peaceful before phone call)
• Disruption of equilibrium by event (threatening phone call)
• Realisation of disruption (Protagonist realises they are not alone in the house)
• Attempt to repair damage of disruption (conflict between protagonist and antagonist)
• New equilibrium (no conclusive ending)

The meaning of a text is created through narrative codes (applied to A2 short film)

• Action Code: Adds suspence (conflict between protagonist and antagonist)
• Referential Code: Audiences external knowledge to know meaning (threatening voice on phone / dark setting / man in mask / protagonist has a bat)
• Symbolic Codes: Symbolism within the text to add additonal meaning (no symbolism in text)
• Enigma Code: Mystery within the text (the ending is inconclusive - not sure as to whether the antagonist is dead or not / will the protagonist be arrested / was this a set up)
• Semantic Code: Refers to parts in the text which add additional meaning (protagonist wears grey to symbolise how he is inbetween good and evil)

Propp said that there were typically 7 different types of character (applied to A2 short film)

• The Hero: the main protagonist 
• The Villan: the antagonist (voice on the phone / assassin) 
• The Donor: Provides something to help protagonist (no donor)
• The Dispatcher: Sends protagonist on journey (voice on the phone)
• The False Hero: Makes false claims, disrupting hero's success (no false hero)
• The Helper: Helps hero on journey (no helper)
• The Princess: The one that is to be saved (no princess)

The idea that a narrative develops from two contrasting elements

• Innocent / Guilty
• Good / Bad
• Protagonist / Antagonist
• Democract / Dictatorship
• Civilised / Savage
• Strong / Weak