Narrative: blog task

 Narrative: blog task

Complete the following questions using the Media Factsheet resource available on the Media Shared drive. 

You'll find them in our Media Factsheet archive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets. You can also access them online here if you use your Greenford Google login.

Read Media Factsheet 14 - Telling Stories: The Media's Use of Narrative and answer the following questions:

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

Star Wars: The initial state of equilibrium is the peaceful galaxy under the Galactic Empire's rule. This is disrupted by the events of the film, including the Death Star attack and Princess Leia's capture, which throws the galaxy into disequilibrium. The rest of the film is dedicated to the attempt to repair this disruption, culminating in the final battle and the destruction of the Death Star, which restores the galaxy to a new, albeit changed, equilibrium. 

2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.

Opening scene of first spiderman film

https://youtu.be/OS9lmBStQ9c

Key narrative codes in the opening

• Establishing the protagonist: 

  The film quickly establishes Peter Parker's character through contrasting scenes of his life before gaining powers. 

  Relatability: He is shown in a school setting, dealing with bullies like Flash Thompson. "Everyman" status: He is portrayed as a nerd with an awkward crush on Mary Jane, which makes him an accessible protagonist for the audience.
• Foreshadowing themes: 

  The opening subtly introduces the central theme of "great power and great responsibility" through Uncle Ben's dialogue. 

  Moral dilemma: The film sets up the future conflict by showing Peter's initial poor judgement in the wrestling scene after he ignores Uncle Ben's advice.
• Origin story exposition: 

  The opening sequence delivers the origin story efficiently, using the spider bite as the catalyst for change. 

  Direct narrative: Instead of using a long backstory, the film shows Peter getting his powers in real-time, making the origin more immediate and impactful. Show, don't tell: The film visually demonstrates Peter's new abilities by showing him looking at his hands, hinting at the strength he has gained. 

3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.

- Spiderman

- Harry Potter

- Shrek

4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

Good vs Evil - can be seen in many different films and media texts additional to their narrative.

5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

Props character types involves a hero, which can be scene as a dominant role in traditional and stereotypical aspects of film as men were more powerful in some patriarchal societies.

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

Enigma and action codes offer gratifications by creating suspense and curiosity, making audiences active participants in solving mysteries (enigma) and anticipating future events (action).

7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:

• Episodic narrative (the series)

It is when there are different narratives in each episode, which put together build up a whole show.

• Overarching narrative (the serial)

An overarching narrative is the main story or plot that connects and encompasses all smaller, related story lines within a larger work.

• Mixed narrative

Mixed narrative is a storytelling technique that blends different literary genres, styles, and narrative forms, such as combining first and third-person points of view or weaving together multiple story lines.

• Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative)

A multi-strand narrative is a story structure that weaves together multiple independent story lines within a single text, rather than following a single plot line.

8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?  

Adverts use narrative structures to create story lines with a disequilibrium that may be resolved by their products to create a new equilibrium replacing the old one, which then promotes their products and advertises their product as a special item that solves issues.