Presentation1.Pptfilmnoir and Narrative Theory

8/14/2019 Presentation1.Pptfilmnoir and Narrative Theory

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Narrative theoryNarrative theory

And film noirAnd film noir

Narrative theory

and film noir


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Tzvetan TodorovTzvetan Todorov A Bulgarian structuralist mainly concerned with linguistics whoA Bulgarian structuralist mainly concerned with linguistics who

began to produce influential work on narrative from the 1960sbegan to produce influential work on narrative from the 1960s

onwardsonwards


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TODOROVS THEORYTODOROVS THEORY

TODOROVS THEORY TODOROVS THEORY The classical narrative:The classical narrative:

EquilibriumEquilibrium::The normal (norm) state at the beginning of the text. AnyThe normal (norm) state at the beginning of the text. Any

opposing forces are in balanceopposing forces are in balance..Dis-EquilibriumDis-Equilibrium:: An action or conflict introduced into the narrativeAn action or conflict introduced into the narrative

New- EquilibriumNew- Equilibrium: The conflict is resolved and the narrative strands: The conflict is resolved and the narrative strandsare tied together.are tied together.

Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that filmsTodorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films

and programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents ofand programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents ofdisruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. Thisdisruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. Thisis then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for theis then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for theprotagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. Theprotagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. Thesimplest form of narrative (sometimes referred to as Classic orsimplest form of narrative (sometimes referred to as Classic orHollywood narrative).Hollywood narrative).


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NarrativeNarrative


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Narrative of woman cloneNarrative of woman clone

What is the narrative structure of this image?What is the narrative structure of this image?

The narrative meaning of the CD cover is entirely grounded in culturalThe narrative meaning of the CD cover is entirely grounded in cultural

knowledge of what a cd cover is. We are socialised in our mediaknowledge of what a cd cover is. We are socialised in our media

culture to expect a relationship between texts and the ways they areculture to expect a relationship between texts and the ways they are

packaged.packaged. Female bandFemale band

Gender/ postmodern ways of being in a bandGender/ postmodern ways of being in a band

Create a range of commodifying images for the musicians and, in thisCreate a range of commodifying images for the musicians and, in this

image, for women as a whole, is a storytelling technique.image, for women as a whole, is a storytelling technique.

The creative practice of idea and pastiche, and how music and imageThe creative practice of idea and pastiche, and how music and imagecome together to make statements about music as product, art,come together to make statements about music as product, art,

community, rebellion and text. All these are questions of narrativecommunity, rebellion and text. All these are questions of narrative


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Narrative of women cloneNarrative of women clone

cont.cont. Logo of the bandLogo of the band

Selection of imagesSelection of images

Human eye reads a pageHuman eye reads a page Various signifiers to construct a narrativeVarious signifiers to construct a narrative

Narrative is fundamental to humanNarrative is fundamental to human

existence ( Lacey)existence ( Lacey)


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Extra narrative theories toExtra narrative theories to

exploreexplore NARRATIVE THEORYNARRATIVE THEORY How do stories work? How do stories work? ARISTOTLE'S UNITIES - Perhaps the first 'narrative theory' as such. A narrative should be created within a 'unity'ARISTOTLE'S UNITIES - Perhaps the first 'narrative theory' as such. A narrative should be created within a 'unity'

of time, place and action - that is, it should all take place in the same location, in real time, and with all actionof time, place and action - that is, it should all take place in the same location, in real time, and with all actionmoving towards a logical (and moral) conclusion.moving towards a logical (and moral) conclusion.

FREYTAG'S DRAMATIC STRUCTUREFREYTAG'S DRAMATIC STRUCTURE- Gustav Freytag was a 19th Century German dramatist and novelist who- Gustav Freytag was a 19th Century German dramatist and novelist whoconstructed his theory from the analysis of ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama. Freytag's dramatic arc isconstructed his theory from the analysis of ancient Greek and Shakespearean drama. Freytag's dramatic arc isdivided into five parts. (Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action & Denouement/Catastrophe/Resolution)divided into five parts. (Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action & Denouement/Catastrophe/Resolution)

TODOROVS THEORY Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films andTODOROVS THEORY Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films and

programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a periodprogrammes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a periodof unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for theof unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for theprotagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative (sometimesprotagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative (sometimesreferred to as Classic or Hollywood narrative).referred to as Classic or Hollywood narrative).

PROPPS THEORY Vladimir Propps theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies RussianPROPPS THEORY Vladimir Propps theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies Russianfairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. These are: the hero,fairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. These are: the hero,the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. He did not statethe villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. He did not statethese characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 differentthese characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 differentcharacter types and only 31 things they ever do. Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) itscharacter types and only 31 things they ever do. Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) itseasy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever) becauseeasy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever) becauseeach character has a SPHERE OF ACTION. This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.each character has a SPHERE OF ACTION. This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.

BARTHES ENIGMA CODE The narrative will establish enigmas or mysteries as it goes along. Essentially, theBARTHES ENIGMA CODE The narrative will establish enigmas or mysteries as it goes along. Essentially, the

narrative functions to establish and then solve these mysteries.narrative functions to establish and then solve these mysteries. LEVI-STRAUSS BINARY OPPOSITION Narrative tension is based on opposition or conflict. This can be as simpleLEVI-STRAUSS BINARY OPPOSITION Narrative tension is based on opposition or conflict. This can be as simple

as two characters fighting, but more often functions at an ideological level e.g., in Westerns, what do theas two characters fighting, but more often functions at an ideological level e.g., in Westerns, what do thecowboys and Indians each represent? What ideologies are embodied by the opposed sides in LOTR or Star Wars?cowboys and Indians each represent? What ideologies are embodied by the opposed sides in LOTR or Star Wars?

Remember, still images can have narratives also refer to what John Ellis called the narrative image.Remember, still images can have narratives also refer to what John Ellis called the narrative image.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structure


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Film noirFilm noir

Primary characteristics and conventions of film noir: themes and styles:Primary characteristics and conventions of film noir: themes and styles:

MoodMood : melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disilusionment: melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disilusionment

Disenchantment, pessimism, ambiquity, moral corruption,evil,guilt,Disenchantment, pessimism, ambiquity, moral corruption,evil,guilt,

desperation and paranoiadesperation and paranoia

Storylines: Often ellipitical, non linear and twistingStorylines: Often ellipitical, non linear and twisting

Narratives were frequently complex/ maze like andNarratives were frequently complex/ maze like and

convoluted/ flasbacks.convoluted/ flasbacks.

FILM NOIR


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Schrader TheorySchrader Theory

Moving to Schraders stylistic elements, he listsMoving to Schraders stylistic elements, he listsseven and I will briefly summarize them here. 1)seven and I will briefly summarize them here. 1)

The scenes are lit for night. 2) Oblique andThe scenes are lit for night. 2) Oblique and

vertical lines are preferred to horizontal. 3) Thevertical lines are preferred to horizontal. 3) Theactors and setting are often given equal lightingactors and setting are often given equal lightingemphasis. 4) Compositional tension is preferredemphasis. 4) Compositional tension is preferredto physical action. 5) There seems to be anto physical action. 5) There seems to be analmost Freudian attachment to water. 6) There isalmost Freudian attachment to water. 6) There is

a love of romantic narration. 7) A complexa love of romantic narration. 7) A complexchronological order is frequently used to reinforcechronological order is frequently used to reinforcethe feeling of hopelessness and lost time (1972).the feeling of hopelessness and lost time (1972).

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Presentation1.Pptfilmnoir and Narrative Theory