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Objective: To understand what is meant by media

narrative

Outcomes:

To be able to identify narrative techniques

applied in text To understand the unique way in which

digital platforms allow us to createdifferent narratives

KEY WORDS

NARRATIVE

PROTAGONIST

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All text have anarrative

We imagine what has

happened in a frozenmoment of time

Media text can

position us in a wayso that we identifywith the protagonist

Protagonist- the main

character at the centreof a story. For exampleUma Thurman in KillBill.

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The narrative begins: A dramatic story like that of achilds kidnapping is covered in print, broadcast and e-platforms as soon as the story breaks.

Over the course of the story: New material becomesavailable affecting the way the story is told and earlyideas may be rejected.

Background research will add to the narrative

When the story concludes perhaps with a trial andconviction, the material will be reorganised tosummarise the major stages captured by the media.

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Relate to the way audiences respond to flow ofinformation

ENIGMA codes- control how much we know and

holds our interest. It creates mystery during thenarrative.

ACTION codes- events in the story we know to

be important in developing the narrative, suchas a gun being coked signifies that a violentscene will follow where it will be used. The storyprogresses after a series of action codes.

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Linear Pattern= progresses forward towards aresolution- Beginning, Middle and End

Multi-strand Narrative= popular in broadcast(e.g. soaps) and film. Involves more than onenarrative running parallel involving differentcharacters and locations.

Documentary narrative may revolve round acentral theme e.g. troublesome neighbours

Long-running series such as Losthave onemajor narrative and lots of mini-narratives thatmaybe resolved in one episode, the finalresolution of escape is at the end of the series.

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Although producer do not use them astemplate. There are two theories whichattempt to identify narrative patterns.

1) Tzvetan Todorov

Equilibrium Disequilibrium NewEquilibrium

An existing state of harmony Equilibrium is disrupted by

an unfortunate event or evilcharacter which leads to a

chain of events involving

conflict

The evil forces are defeated,

the conflict is resolved andharmony exists once more

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1. Identify the protagonist and antagonist?

2. Which action codes indicate impendingdevelopments of the narrative?

3. What is the equilibrium, disequilibriumand new equilibrium in the narrative?

Apply this to the opening sequences ofChildren of Men, Battle for Haditha, TheDark Knight

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Came up with histheory by looking

at the roles ofcharacters inRussian fairytales

The Seven Spheres

of ActionThe role of the character in the

narrative

The Villain Creates a complication in the

narrative

The Donor Gives the hero something that will

help in the resolution

The Helper Helps the hero in restoring the

resolution

The Princess Has to be saved by the hero

The Dispatcher Sends the hero on a task

The Hero Central protagonist, saves the day

and restores equilibrium

The False Hero Rare character that appears to be

good but is revealed to have been

bad all along

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Homework-complete written analysis of anopening sequence of all three clips. Focussingon narrative. Enigma and action codes,

Todorovs and Propps theories, linear, multistrand or non-linear narratives.

Ensure that you are using media terminologywhich you have learnt. Focus on Mise en scene,camera, editing, sound

Planning: apply notes made to your ownsequence and evidence through writingsynopsis for opening sequence. And noteswhich show how you are applying codes.