Film studies narrative

Lesson Objectives: To be able to discuss the messages, values, and themes of ‘Super 8’ and ‘Moonrise Kingdom’.

‘Super 8’ (J.J. Abrams, USA, 2011) ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (Wes Anderson, USA, 2012)

Narrative Refers to the development of a ’story’, the roles and relationships of the characters within it, the situations and dilemmas they confront and the methods utilised for problem-solving within narratives.



NarrativeFor a film to be a ‘narrative’ it must present us with a series of events in ways that suggests connections between one event and the next. Narratives must be made up of parts that are related, usually in a ‘cause-and-effect’ way.

Narration – how the story is told.



Story and Plot

Story refers to the events of the narrative (what happens), whereas plot refers to how the story is presented in terms of order and narrative logic. ‘the story is the what in a narrative that is depicted…and the plot is the how’ (Chatman 1980). The most significant way plot shapes story is through chronology – the order in which the story is told.



Classical Hollywood cinemaA series of narrative conventions emerged out of the classical Hollywood period (1930s-1940s) which prioritise entertainment and so seek to arouse and maintain the audience’s interests. Hollywood narrative codes aim to make the story easily understood by the audience, as a result they developed a sophisticated set of conventions that guide the viewers through the story. Classical narrative codes are transparent because they want to keep the viewer’s focused on the story, so the audience maintain focus on what is happening rather that how it is being told. Classical Hollywood narrative codes aim for invisibility



Classical narrative codes are transparent because they want to keep the viewer’s focused on the story, so the audience maintain focus on what is happening rather that how it is being told. Classical Hollywood narrative codes aim for invisibility.



Maybe the single most important and most influential element of cinematic form that characterizes classical Hollywood cinema is continuity editing. The most important goal of continuity editing is to make the cut invisible. This is achieved by devices such as the shot / reverse-shot or the eyeline match, and other match cuts. The editing is subservient to the flow of the narrative and is usually constructed in a way that it does not draw attention onto itself.



Narrative Theory Propp – character functions – hero, villain, helper, etc. Todorov – equilibrium, disequilibrium, resolution.Vogler and Campbell – the Hero’s Journey.



Propp – character functions – hero, villain, helper, etc.



Todorov – equilibrium, disequilibrium, resolution.



Vogler and Campbell – the Hero’s Journey.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_SuA8zEWAs#t=252The Hero’s Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development. It describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_SuA8zEWAs#t=252

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_SuA8zEWAs#t=252



The Hero's Journey Outline1. THE ORDINARY WORLD.2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE. 3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL. 4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR. 5. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD. 6. TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES. 7. APPROACH. 8. THE ORDEAL. 9. THE REWARD. 10. THE ROAD BACK. 11. THE RESURRECTION. 12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.


‘Super 8’ (J.J. Abrams, USA, 2011) NarrativeChronological- videos used to show past events.Cause and effect, psychologically motivated characters, classical Hollywood narrative style.


‘Super 8’ (J.J. Abrams, USA, 2011) NarrativeCan we apply the different narrative theories to ‘Super 8’?

o Proppo Todorovo Vogler and

Campbell


‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (Wes Anderson, USA, 2012)Narrative

Action is chronological but significant elements of the story are told in flashback, and some foretelling is used.Cause and effect used but less obviously communicated.Often breaks Classical Hollywood narrative by subverting invisible style, e.g. narrator, self-conscious editing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I8i2rb_u4A




‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (Wes Anderson, USA, 2012)Narrative

Which narrative theories can be applied to ‘Moonrise Kingdom’?

• Propp Character types• Todorov• Vogler and Campbell

Education

Film studies narrative