The document discusses several narrative theories proposed by thinkers such as Todorov, Propp, Levi-Strauss, Barthes, Field, and Kubrick. Todorov suggested narratives follow an equilibrium-disruption-resolution structure. Propp identified character roles and narrative functions. Levi-Strauss saw narratives as relying on binary oppositions. Barthes identified codes that control information for audiences. Field outlined a three-act structure. Kubrick saw films constructed from six to eight fundamental story sequences. The document concludes by stating the documentary will likely use binary oppositions to show technological differences between age groups.
2. Tzvetan Todorov
Todorov suggested that all narratives follow a three part structure.
They start with an equilibrium, where everything is okay and balanced.
Something comes to disrupt the equilibrium.
A resolution is reached, when an equilibrium is reached once again.
Example: The Hunger Games
Everything is calm and how it usually is.
Prim is picked and Katniss volunteers to take her place.
Katniss wins and goes back to District12
3. Vladimir Propp
Propp’s narrative structure is determined by roles in the story.
Character roles help us understand the constructed nature of the narrative.
There are 8 character roles and 31 functions to the characters.
This helps us understands that each character role has progress within the narrative
and audience identification.
The villain
The hero
The dispatcher
The false hero
The donor
The helper
The princess
The father
4. Levi-Strauss
He suggests that the production of meaning depends on the concept of binary oppositions.
This suggests that the majority of narratives in media have opposing main characters. This thickens the
plot and furthers the narratives and introduces contrast.
A problem with this theory may perpetuate negative stereotypes.
Binary opposites aren’t always clear cut and may have multiple binary opposites between two characters.
I believe this would be good to use in our documentary as it would be interesting for the viewer and also
easy to make a point and argument. It would also be interesting to explore a clear and balanced
argument about two different groups.
5. Roland Barthes
Roland Barthes argues that narrative is told through a series of codes that are used to control the way in
which information is given to the audience.
The enigma code – a mystery to be solved
The action code – used for escapism to entertain and immerse the audience.
The semantic code – connote extra meaning aside from the literal meaning.
The symbolic code – symbols that can be found in media texts, they convey meaning through symbolism.
The referential code – deals with references within a media text to an external context.
This may be used in our documentary to influence the opinion of our viewers and how they react to
certain things. Symbols will definitely be used as props and just in background footage that we choose to
keep in our documentary.
6. Syd Field
According to Field, narratives follow a three-act structure. The set up, confrontation and the resolution.
Act 1 – Exposition, introduction to the main character and plot point 1 is introduced.
Act 2 – Obstacles, first culmination and the midpoint.
Act 3 – The climax and denouement.
Parts of this will be used in our documentary as a question will be asked at the start which will be the inciting
incident which will follow the first plot point into the exploration of the question that is being asked.
7. Stanley Kubrick
Insisted that a film can be constructed from six to eight ‘non-submersible units’. A non
submersible unit is a fundamental story sequence where everything else is stripped
away.
He uses these in his film 2001: A Space Oddesey.
The monolith visits humankind in its infancy.
An early man discovers technology.
The monolith is excavated on the moon by astronauts and sends a message to Jupiter.
Humankind send a manned mission to Jupiter to investigate.
Advanced technology (Hal) endangers the mission crew.
Technology is defeated and the surviving crew member rendezvous with the aliens.
The Starchild is born.
8. What we are going to use
As our documentary is about the age gap between young people and older
people we will most likely use binary opposites to show the difference in how
people of difference ages use technology.
