Narrative Theory Part 2

Bordwell and Tompson

There are three types of narrative in terms of time:

1. Story time: The earliest event referred to in a film to the latest event

2. Plot time: The earliest event that the audience see in the film to the latest event

3: Screen time: The actual playing in the film

Propp's theory (1928)

Recognised that Folk tales were similar

They were concerned with the same basic situations/struggles

Populated by the same type of character

Characters roles helped to provide a structure for the story.


Morphology of the Folk Tale:

Identified 32 characters of action which he called "functions"

Identified a set of basic "spheres of action" or character roles

The character roles help to provide structure for the media text

The character roles performa a certain function.

Propps 8 character roles:

Hero - character who seeks something
Villan - opposes or blocks the heros quest
Donor - provides an object which has magical property
Dispatcher - sends the hero's hope of reward by pressing false claims
Helper - character who aids the hero
Princess - character who acts as a reward for the hero and as ab object of the villains scheming
Father - character who acts to reward the hero for his efforts

Lion King character roles:

Timone - Helper
Pumba - Helper
Simba - Hero
Nala - Princess
Mufasa - Father
Rafiki - Donor
Scar - Villan

Character Identification of the film: Guardians of the Galaxy:

The characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy can be identified through the Full Trailer, Extended Taler and the Star Lord Dance end scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B16Bo47KS2g - Full Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2bj8e9_zjo - Extended Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ohTJp3PAA - Star Lord Dance

Hero: Star Lord (Quill)



Star Lord or Quill is easily identifiable as the hero during the extended trailer since the narrative of the characters voice of the trailer says that in or to save the galaxy, the group have to work together as partners. This wanting to save the galaxy from Quill means that he is the hero according to Propp since he takes the heroic role of seeking to save the galaxy.

Doners: Groot



Groot is identified as the donor since during this section of the extended trailer, Groot is involved in saving Quill from the space prison by using 'magical' traits to elevate rocket.

Princess: Gamora



Gamora is identified as the princess of this film since she is portrayed as the reward to Quill after defeating the villain. However, she is not the stereotypical princess since she takes an extensive role with the action in this film.

Villan: Thanos



Thanos is identified as the villain in this film since the ending sequences of this film before Quill dances, he states that he will stop the Guardians of the Galaxy. This is a direct block of Quill seeking to save the galaxy which therefore matches Propp's definition of the villain.

Helpers: Drax

Drax is identified as a helped since is this section of the extended trailer since he says that he will fight along side Quill. This matches to Propp's definition as a helper since he aids the hero in his mission

Rocket:



Rocket also agrees to help Quill in his mission since he agrees to help Quill save the galaxy. This means that Rocket matches to Propp's definition as the helper.


Strauss' Theory

He argued that all meaning-making, not just narratives, depend on binary oppositions - a conflict between two sides/qualities which are opposites

eg. Good and Evil

Strauss is implied in the following films:

Representation of Age

Levi Strauss

The contrast between two mutually exclusive concepts or things that creates conflict and drives a narrative e.g. good/evil, day/night, male/female, presence/absence, old/young 

POINT:  Age (Area of representation) is represented through (micro element).

EVIDENCE:  What you DENOTE and What it could CONNOTE

EXPLAIN:  An explanation of how

this subverts/conforms or reinforces stereotypes

Stereotypes of old age:

1) Grumpy

2) Stubborn

3) Resistant to change

Catherine Tate is the stereotypical nan in terms of miss en scene however the dialogue she exchanges dosent match to the normal older person.

Older people are also portrayed as enjoying a second childhood – as reliving their  

adolescence and engaging in activities that they have always longed to do before they die.

Older people are also represented as pitied, dependent or an economic burden – helpless 

and dependent on other younger members of society or family - economic burden In groups, 

use the case study template to deconstruct this text.    

Waterloo Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeDTh8IWthY

In this extract of Waterloo road, I will analyse the mise en scene, editing, cinematography and sound and apply them to show how age is represented. I will also include links back to theorists such as Ann Gould. I will finally include a short paragraph on my own thoughts and opinions on how age was represented in this extract and judge weather it was fairly presented.

The mise en scene used in this extract can be related to age. For example, the youth at 0:30 are wearing uniforms apart from the one student in the middle. This could imply that some students are rebellious in terms of what to wear. This relates back to Ann Gould’s theory on the stereotypes of the youth. In this case, the stereotype would be rebellious since this one student rebelled against the schools uniform conduct.

Another example of mise en scene used in this extract related to age would be the clothing the teachers are wearing at 3:00. This implies that the older people of this extract have the freedom of wearing what they would like. Therefore this represents the older age as dominant since they have this freedom. This is related back to Gramsci’s theory of the developed concept of cultural hegemony in which the middle class were considered as ‘normal’ and are obliged to follow. Therefore the representations of the older characters of this extract are demonstrated as the dominant middle class over the lower and underclass.

Cinematography was also used to represent age in this extract. For example, there were low angle camera shots used at 2:33 to represent the older people of this extract. This would imply that the older characters have authority over the younger characters of the extract. This is related to Acland’s theory of 1995 in which the youths enhance hegemony in which the state controls them. In this case it would be the teachers controlling them. Therefore the low angle camera shots of the teachers indicate authority over the students.

Cinematography is also used to represent the youth through high angle camera shots at 3:43. This indicates that the youth are lower in authority in comparison to the older characters of the extract. This is also related to Acland’s theory since the children are to be controlled and monitored consistently. Therefore the high angle camera shots show the youth with little power over the older characters of the extract.

The youth of this film is represented through the sounds included. For example, the diagetic dialogue in this film from the youths use a poorly spoken English including a lower class London slang. This represents the youth as uneducated and alternative to the 'normal' trend of youths. This is liked back to Gramsci’s where the middle class of society were considered as normal and others were expected to follow their class. If lower class youths were not living up to the standard of these middle class people, they were looked down upon in society. In this case, the youths in this film do not live up to their standards since their dialect are much different in comparison to the middle class.

The youth is portrayed through the non-diagetic sound which associated the youth with tense action soundtrack, meaning that they are associated with the reckless yet confident youth. This is associated with Hebdige’s theory from 1979 which is that the representation of youth is very limited. The youths are shows as either trouble or fun and with no in between from this theory. In this case they were represented as fun since the soundtrack indicates that there will be a tense moment of action from the male character saving the female character from being trapped in a room by a fire.

Finally age has been represented through the editing used in this extract. There was a faster phase of camera shots when the younger characters were in action such as the scene where the group of characters were trapped in the canteen. This means that that youth of this extract are generally more active, representing the youth as energetic however much less composed in such a situation. This is also associated with Hebdige’s theory since the youth are displayed in a situation of trouble so it would appeal to the audience.

Overall I believe that this was a fair portrayal of age since it both did show the stereotypes of younger and older people, but not to the extent of exaduration.

Narrative Theory Part 1

A Narrative is a spoken or written account of connected events; a story.

The primary function of most films is to tell a story..  The mise en scene, cinematography, editing and sound are entirely subservient to the narrative, creating a seamless flow that centres the viewer within the story.

There are narrative conventions that include the role of the protagonist, the problems faced by the protagonist and the resolution of these problems.

Most films are centred on one or two main protagonists. Their lives are disrupted by an outside event, or presence of an unfulfilled desire. The plot is then about removing that disruption or fulfilling that desire. The rest of the events are in the plot are usually initiated by the protagonist and have a clear cause and effect relationship to other events.

A protagonist is the leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.

Captain Phillips trailers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wc1l1DW6IE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4FDRlBJNjg 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMDdT24_98

Captain Phillips protagonist characteristics:

1. Selfless
2. Leader
3. Decisive
4. Composed
5. Brave
6. Loving
7. Strong Minded
8. Courage
9. Brave
10. Intelligent

An antagonist a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

The antagonist is the character (s) or situation that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must be contended. In other words, the antagonist is an obstacle that the protagonist must overcome.

Captain America & Iron Man vs. Loki - Fight Scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcdqMhhzNN4

Antagonist characteristics:

1. Dictator

2. Reckless

3. Power Hungry

4. Egotistical

5. Ruthless

An anti-hero is a major character, usually the protagonist, who lacks conventional nobility of mind, and who struggles for values not deemed universally admirable.

Breaking Bad Trailer 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhesaQXLuRY

Anti Hero characteristics:

1. Flawed

2. Corrupt

3. Fearless

4. Intelligent

5. Loving

6. Desperate

7. Relatable

A foil is any character (usually the antagonist or any supporting character) whose personal qualities contrast with another character. By providing this contrast, we get to know more about the character.

Sherlock Holmes and Watson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uIY2SdU49c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDn2P-qVJxY

Sherlock characteristics:

1. Composed

2. Controlling

3. Humorous

4. Well Spoken

5. Decisive

6. Happy-go-lucky

7. Standoffish

Watson (Foil):

1. Argumentative

2. Intelligent

3. Decisive

4. Composed

5. Loyal

Todorov's theory (1969):

Believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern through stages:

1. The equilibrium

2. Disequilibrium

3. Acknowledgement

4. Solving

5. Again equilibrium

The equilibrium is a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

The disequilibrium is the lack of equilibrium in which the opposing forces are in favour.

Maleficent and equilibrium status:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzYLGiIV5fk

This video demonstrates an equal state if equilibrium since it is a peaceful place. (0:20)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-XO4XiRop0

This trailer of the film presents the disequilibrium of the film being the curse from Maleficent. This disequilibrium is from the perspective of the  (0:27)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZJS99fPN7M

This section of the film represents the great disequilibrium from the perspective from Maleficent. (3:01)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNy7T0uJxLE

Representation of the Youth

These following theories represent the youth today:

·      Giroux 1997

·      Acland 1995

·      Hebdige 1975

·      Cohen  1972

·      Gerbner Cultivation theory

·      Ann Gould

Giroux

Giroux's theory and views of 1997 show that youths are mistreated in the media, describing them as an empty category. It explains how adults do not understand what is it like to be a youth in this generation. 

The effect of this representation includes that adults do not want their generation does not look bad, therefore they use the youth as a scapegoat to place the blame on today's issues within society.

Through this theory, it is easily identifiable that the adults in society mold and create the youths representation which would cause moral panics from the youth. This has generally been created through hegemony.

Acland

Acland's theory of 1995 include that deli quant youths enhance hegemony. This therefore means that this representation of youth allows the state to control them, such as an ASBO. This is the ideology of protection which means that the youth is constantly watched.

The effects of these representations include that adults see youths as being reckless and that have to keep enforcing that these actions are bad. This is to enforce the hegemony of how they should not behave when it comes to adulthood. Thus there will be many negative stories in the media.

By looking at this theory we are able to see that adults believe that it is necessary to show youths in such a disastrous way. This is so they can tell youths how to act an how not to act so they can enforce middle class hegemony.

Hebdige

Hebdige's theory of 1979 focuses on the youths cultures and subcultures. This subculture means that youths express themselves and to challenge hegemony mostly through style.

The representation of youth in this theory argues that the representation of youth is very limited. They are either shown as trouble of fun with no in-between. Therefore the representation of youth is in no reality. 

The effect of this representation is that due to the youth being shown in only 2 different ways, the public never sees the hard working teens of society who just fade into the background since they are viewed as boring.

By analysing this theory, we are able to identify that the media in society tends to ignore the good and hard working and focuses on the fun and trouble. This therefore makes adults believe that all youths behave in this manner.

Cohen

Cohen's theory from 1972 is a response to the mods and rockers riots in the 60s. They emerged as 'Folk devils' which causes moral panic.

The effect of the moral panic is to reinforce hegemony by the media making it clear what values society do not accept. This shows that when youths try to express themselves in a way that adults have not seen before they try stop it by showing it as a negative aspect.

Therefore this would effect the representation of youths as it shows that they are not allowed to express themselves within a different way that society does not see as acceptable.  Therefore this places a more negative effect on the youths as everything they do out of the norms of society is seen as bad.

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the media places the blame onto the youths seeing them as an easy target. This causes the moral panic cycle to happen in order to stamp down hard onto anything that youths try to do that is out of the norms.

Mods and Rockers from the 60s.

Gramsci

Gramsci's theory is a developed concept of cultural hegemony. The middle class dominated society since they were considered as 'normal', therefore they were setting the usual trend which everyone would be obliged to follow.

Therefore other social groups/classed ACCEPT these values and class these as a normal way of life. This meaning that lower social classes will always be shown as negative as they are unable to have the same lifestyle as middle class people.

This would effect representations as all representations of youth will always be contrasted with middle class youths. Thus meaning that if the lower class youths are not living up to the standard of the middle class youths then they will always be looked down upon within society.

By looking at this theory we are able to see that the media always still with the hegemony of the higher classes as these are seen as more acceptable. Also that they do not take into consideration how other people live within society.

Greg Philo

The Greg Philo theory argues that the Contemporary ‘Hoodie cinema’ reflects middle class anxiety about the threat of the working class.

This shows that anyone under middle class is inserted into this ‘Hoodie cinema’ which is basically summing up that in all films that if you are not middle class then you are a thug in a hoodie.

Therefore this would effects working class youths as by everyone else they would be seen as thugs and upper class people would be more threatened of them. Also it would be harder for them to make something of their life if they believe that they will always be linked with the ‘hoodie cinema’ idea.

By looking at this theory we are able to tell that the media link social classes with strong stereotypes. With the middle class being the ideal person and anyone lower than this being a hooligan.

Gerbner - Cultivation theory

This theory is the study of the perception of crime and how often it is published within the media. I was found that watching the television regularly such as the news, dramas and films could lead to the individual overestimating crime, or otherwise known as 'mean world syndrome'. This altogether leads the worlds perception.

This shows that youth are always the victims of being involved within crime throughout many media platforms. This therefore would give people the perception that youths do all the crime thus making them being represented badly.

Therefore this would effect the representation of youths by automatically giving them a bad name no matter what they are like. This is because of all these programmes indoctrinating the public to place the blame onto teens automatically.

By looking at this theory we are able to tell that representation is closely linked to what we see on the television. These then cause peoples perceptions to change on representations depends on what has been shown on the television.

Ann Gould - Stereotypes

Ann Gould identified 6 key stereotypes of the youth. These stereotypes were rebellious, sexual, artificial tribe, self destructive, nihilistic and violent.

Youth representations are invariably portrayed in a negative manner. This therefore would give people the perception that youths do all the crime, are anti-social and act irresponsibly. Thus making them being represented badly.

Attack the Block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zlAjdMbCII

Attack the Block represented the youth of the UK through the means of sound, mise en scene, editing and camera work. I will analyse sections of this film and explain how the youth was represented through these factors while also associating how they were represented with various media theorists such as Ann Gould. I will finally include a short paragraph on my final thoughts and opinions of the film and if the youth of this film was fairly represented.

The youth of this film is represented through the sounds included. For example, the diagetic dialogue in this film from the youths use a poorly spoken English including a lower class London slang such as the opening sequences of the film (2:26). This represents the youth as very uneducated and alternative to the 'normal' trend of youths. This is liked back to Gramsci's theory where the middle class of society were considered as normal and others were expected to follow their class. If lower class youths were not living up to the standard of these middle class people, they were looked down upon in society. In this case, the youths in this film do not live up to their standards since their dialect are much different in comparison to the middle class.

The youths are further represented in this film through the exchange of diagetic dialogue between the young woman and an older character (8:57). This dialogue describes the youth of this film as "fucking monsters" meaning that they are disliked and looked down on by society. This links back to Ann Gould's theory of youths being portrayed in a negative manner. In this case, they would be associated with rebellious since that was implied through the exchange of dialogue between the two characters. Therefore the sound through dialogue represents youths in a negative light.
The youth is portrayed through the non-diagetic sound (10:23) which associated the youth with London grime music, meaning that they are associated with the negatively looked upon artists by the dominating middle class. This is associated with Hebdige's theory from 1979 which is that the representation of youth is very limited. The youths are shows as either trouble or fun and with no in between from this theory. In this case they were represented as trouble since the music,which the middle class associated with disliked grime artists, played while the youths were in the camera shot.

The youth in this film is also represented through the mise en scene used in this film. For example the youths are all wearing hoodies (10:33). This represents the youth as a cause for concern since their clothing are viewed as devious from the middle class society. This links back to Greg Philo's theory of anybody under the middle class are inserted into the 'Hoodie cinema', meaning that anybody under the middle class are placed with the stereotype  of being a thug. Since the youths were wearing clothing that may not have associated with the middle class. Therefore they would be very quickly judged and placed into the stereotype of being a thug.
Mise en scene is further used to represent the youth. For example the place they stayed in to negotiate with where they should leave the alien (18:43) was a room filled with cannabis plants. This represents the youth being involved with drug dealing from a young age and would altogether have a negative output on society. This links back to Gerbner's cultivation theory since the people in today's society watch various forms of media and watching this could lead to 'mean world syndrome', meaning that if one member of the youth is involved with crime, the whole youth is involved with crime. This essentially means that the viewers are indoctrinated by the media to believe that the youths all associate with drugs and crime.

Editing is also used to represent the youth in this film. For example the slow phase of camera shots (15:48 and on wards) means that the youth are very inactive. Thus meaning that the viewer would believe that the youth are apart of the underclass society since they are not working, not getting an education. This also relates to Gramsci's theory in which if individuals do not match to the 'normal' middle class, they would be looked down upon in society. Therefore this means that the low rate of camera shots imply that the youth are inactive and then looked down upon.
In this same scene (15:48) there are visual effects included being that the room is filled with cannabis smoke. This means that the youths in this film are doing a high amount of drugs which is seen as unacceptable from the middle class point of view. This is also related to Gebner's cultivation theory in which the viewers develop 'mean world syndrome' since the youths are smoking cannabis. This implies to the viewer that all youths smoke cannabis. Therefore the visual effects used illustrated the smoke in the room, meaning that the youths smoke a high amount of cannabis, making the viewer judge all youths to act in this manner.

Finally, camerawork is used to represent the youth. For example, the low angle camera shots (13:40) demonstrate the youth as dominant since they are portrayed as larger people compared to other people. This means that the viewers are inclined to avoid confrontation with youths in public. This also links back to Gebner's cultivation theory in which the viewers develop 'mean world syndrome' since the youths are portrayed as dominant and sinister. Therefore the viewers believe that all youths are dominant and sinister.

Overall I believe that the youths in this film were displayed in which they were involved in crime and drugs, meaning that youths today of this age could also be involved in such actions. I altogether believe that they were unfairly portrayed since it was only a small section of the youth was selected to represent in today's society where there are many more youths that do not share the same actions or intentions.