Narrative

Todorov's Theory

Todorov’s theory recognises the usual pattern for a storyline. This can often be applied to the vast majority of films.

One film which clearly complies with Todorov’s theory is “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)

The beginning equilibrium is that the main character, Don Lockwood, is a silent movie star who can just tolerate his co-star, Lina Lamont, and they pretend, for publicity to be romantically involved. Their films are very successful, and are both very famous actors.

The disruption of the film is that “The Jazz Singer”, a film with sound, has been very successful so all film companies are now using sound in their movies.

The recognition is that there is success from sound films, so there is no option but to turn the next Lockwood and Lamont film into a “talkie”. The problem is that Lina’s voice is not seen as suitable for the sound.

The repair for the disruption is for Kathy, Don’s love interest to talk over Lina’s acting, so it sounds like Lina’s voice. However, the audience’s find out that it is Kathy’s voice not Lina’s and she is “the real star of the film”.

The new equilibrium is Don and Kathy to star in their sound film together, “Singin’ in the Rain”.

Levi Strauss' Theory

Another recognises theory is Levi Strauss’ theory, of there being binary opposition. This is clearly visible in Titanic (1997).

Some opposition are:

Rich vs. Poor: Rose’s family expect her to marry into her own class, not someone who is of a lower class.

Male vs. Female: There are clearly to main characters, and Rose is supposed to act like a typical “woman” of that era.

Good vs. Bad: Jack is a good man, and Rose’s true love, which is against Cal, who is a conman who does not want to be humiliated.

Propp's Theory

Propp’s theory relates to both characters and narrative.

He outlined the different roles in films, which is obvious in the film Bridesmaids (2011):

Hero= Annie

Villian= Helen

The Princess/Prize= Lillian, her best friend

The Donor= Rhodes

The Dispatcher= Helen

The Mentor= Annie’s mother

Bridesmaids also relates to Propp’s theory of narrative.

Preparation: Annie lives in Wisconsin, near to her best friend. She has a job and lives with two room mates.

Complication: Lillian is getting married and moving away. Helen, is Lillian’s good friend who makes Annie feel threatened. Annie meets a police officer, Rhodes, who she explains her troubles to.

Transference: Annie is given the chance to be maid of honour and on several occasions, ruins the plans for the wedding preparations.

Struggle: Lillian and Annie are now barely talking, she is forced to move in with her mother, who is helping her life get back on track, after losing her job. Annie is no longer speaking to Rhodes who had become her love interest, and on the day of the wedding Helen tells Annie that Lillian has gone missing.

Recognition: Rhodes helps Annie find Lillian. Lillian and Annie make up and Lillian gets married. Rhodes and Annie then make up and she is now happy to have her best friend back.

Personal Opinions on Opening Sequence

I believe that our opening sequence has the ability to create enigma and capture the audience in order to make them interested in watching the rest of the film.
I like the idea of the film being in the thriller genre, as there are lots of different possibilities for a story line in this genre, and our idea of a stalking/kidnapping will hopefully be able to create an interesting story line. I believe that one weakness we may have to deal with is the confusion of the male character and how he is involved in the story, we will have to make it clear of his intentions. Another area of weakness may be the CCTV scenes, which we plan to differentiate from the other "normal" scenes by using black and white, instead of having them in colour.

Continuity Editing

Continuity editing is a technique used where cutting is used to create a clear narrative to the audience. Shots such as establishing shots, two shots, and cross cutting is often used in continuity editing.

During the clip from EastEnders, Who is Kat’s lover, there is evidence of master shots, of four characters, Kat, Max, Derek and Jack. This builds suspense for the audience, because they are now aware of all four potential lovers but do not know who Kat was just talking to. During the Spooks sequence that Kiah, Laura and I constructed we placed the shot of the location first, or the establishing shot first, because this is traditionally used at the beginning of a sequence so the audience are able to recognise where the action is taking place. 

We also put an establishing shot of the office in, before a cutaway to some action, which then cross-cut to some action of the “thieves”. This was to avoid a jump cut, because we then put a re-establishing shot of the office in as it cut back to the action in the office, which was happening at the same time.

In both our sequence of Spooks and the original version parallel and intercutting occurs, which is used to show action happening at the same time, as well as to build suspense amongst the audience. In both the EastEnders sequence and the Spooks sequence, as these are professional sequences both the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree rule would not be broken. During both our Spooks sequence and the professional Spooks sequence a two shot is used to establish the primary characters in the office to the audience.

During the EastEnders sequence, the only dialogue is Kat speaking on the phone. 

Typically in continuity editing, characters is conversation is a classic example of reverse shots and dialogue, as when the characters speak the camera will focus on either characters, either for a reaction or to see what they are saying.


Our Spooks sequence has correctly used the establishing shot, two shots and re-establishing shots, as well as the use of intercutting. However, the sequence would not work as some of the shots happen before others, and the narrative had been mixed up.

Our Spooks sequence

Group Discussions 20/12/12

In this lesson today, we finished story boarding our opening sequence. This allowed us to think of different, and appropriate camera angles that could be used. 
We decided on the most appropriate location and also began to think of the dialogue that may be used.

Synopsis of Opening Sequence

Our opening sequence is in the thriller genre. The opening sequence starts with a young girl, around the age of 15-17 who is in her home. It then cuts to a man in his car, however we cannot see his face or what he is doing. We then realize he is stalking her, as there are lots of photos of her in different settings in his car. 
He has put cameras in his house to watch her, (which will be shown through the use of black and white), and is watching her whilst she relaxes in her home. We then hear someone ring the door bell, and she gets up to get the door. As she opens it, she says hello, with an over the shoulder shot, before it cuts to the title of the film.

Research into Similar Media Texts

As part of my research I looked at three opening sequences. In them, I examined various aspects of them.

The first opening sequence was Juno.

• We immediately have an indication of genre is a “coming of age” film, as we are immediately introduced to the main character, a teenage girl. This is also indicated through her costume, as she wears jeans, a jumper and trainers, she looks very casually dressed.
• During the title sequences Juno is seen walking down a street, with the rural location becoming a cartoon. This hints at the fact the main characters are young adolescents. This also indicates her state of mind whilst walking down the street as if she is daydreaming, before the setting soon becomes normal again, and she returns to reality. This also focuses the audience’s attention on Juno, that she is the main character.
• The credits and text are bold as they are coloured in red, however it indicates and reflects youth, with a hint of immaturity, like the characters.
• The music used in the title sequence is folk-style and is quite upbeat. It does not seem parallel with the mood that Juno has previously created, but fits well with the scene of her walking down the street.
• There are many different camera angles used in this opening sequence, and starts with an establishing shot, to show the audience the main setting and location. There is also the use of close ups as Juno whispers in Paulie’s ear, which is used to build tension, as there is a prolonged pause between their speech. 
• During this opening sequence, the titles comes after the establishing shot and the main introduction to the characters. It is not until Juno is walking down the street the main titles and credits occur. 
• Mise en scene in this opening sequence: all characters are very casually dressed, indicatingthis is a normal day. The scene: the location, Juno's home, gives the impression that they live a very normal lifestyle, she does is not majorly wealthy.
• The target audience for this film is indicated through the age of the main characters.
• Women: are represented through Juno. She seems slightly immature, however the stereotypical female is not indicated through her clothing. Men are seen as being quite passive, however there is a male business owner.  

Group Discussions 19/12/12

In today's lesson, Kiah and I began to storyboard our opening sequence. This allowed us to incorporate more detail into the opening sequences, as we discussed things such as camera angles, mise en scene and location.
We will carry on with our storyboard next lesson.
Photos of the completed storyboard will be put onto our group blog but here they are too.