Different types of media theories
In order to evaluate my thriller opening, I need to compare it to different media theories. This will allow me to see how effective the opening is.
Todorov's narrative theory
Torodov stated that narratives are led by events in a cause and effect format:
1. The narrative starts with an equilibrium (a nice settled picture)
2. An action of character disrupts the equilibrium.
3. A quest to restore the equilibrium
4. The narrative moves on to a confrontation/climax
5. A resolution where films are back to normal
Todorov's theory is a simple structure, and some texts defy this idea as they seek to challenge audiences. Some text's offer open-ended narratives that require the audience to interpret what they understand by the ending. Other resolutions are far from a return to equilibrium, which allows the audience to relaise that the only resolution is tragic e.g. everyone dies at the end.
Vladimir Propp (Russian theorist)
Propp looked at characters in over 100 fairy tales as he thought that characters helped drive the narrative. The different types of characters:
The Hero-is on a quest
The Villain-works against the hero
The Princess-what/who the quest is for
The Dispatcher-sends the hero on a quest
The Donor-gives the hero something to help them on their quest
The Helper-assists the hero on the quest
The Father-rewards the hero
The False Hero-appears to be helping the hero but is unmasked as a fraud
Chandler - What is a genre?
A genre is a classification of any media text into a category or type.
Genres tend to have identifiable codes and conventions which have developed particular expectations, which may either be fulfilled or denied/subverted by the producer.
All genres have sub genres. This means that they are divided up into more specific categories.
Daniel Chandler is a former media student who made a table showing what similar qualities are found in different genres:
Narrative - similar plots and structures, predictable situations, sequences, episodes, obstacles and resolutions
Characters - similar types of characters (sometimes stereotypes), roles, personal qualities, motivations, goals, behaviour
Themes - topics, subject matter, (social, cultural, moral, sexual), ideologies and values
Setting - geographical and historical
Iconography - echoes the narrative, characters, themes, settings, connotations. INclues decor, costumes, objects, dialogue, music, sounds
Strauss - Binary Oppositions
Strauss said that rather than the order of events. the narrative and themes are more important
Man vs Woman
Weak vs Strong
Old vs Young
Roland Barthes - Narrative codes
Action code - Showing a meaning through the use of action
Mystery code - A code which the audience has to work out
The semic code - Signs which are created for the audience to show information (generally an item)
The cultural code - Different hings have different meanings to different people
Code of oppositions -
