Narrative Research TaskMean Creek

Holly Fairbairn

Film Summery

Sam is bullied by George so to get revenge Sam’s older brother and his two friends lead George into the woods for a “boat ride”. Their initial plan was to just embarrass the bully but things go wrong when George starts to bring up the past about the others present. George ends up getting pushed out of the boat and drowns. The friends then bury the body. Eventually the guilt gets too much for them so they come clean to George’s parents and the police and go out to get the body. George’s video camera is discovered and reveals the whole situation.

What is Narrative?

A narrative is a story or plot line. A story is a basic succession of events arranged in a

chronological order. A plot is a sequence in which the events are shown to

the spectator. Often different to a story.

A story must include a goal orientated protagonist that the audience will love and follow. There must also be a set reason for the characters action (character motivation). The whole story must have a continuous theme or idea which is shown throughout the whole tale and put at an end. There must be a resolution at the end to make the story seem finished as the situation is resolved. Everything must have a causality and reason for it happening.

Toderov’s Theory

Toderov’s theory states that there are stages of a films narrative. Initial equilibrium – normal life Disequilibrium – where normal life is

disrupted Taking Action – restoring the balance Different equilibrium – a new normal

life

Which of Toderov’s stages apply?

All of Toderov’s stages of narrative are evident in the film Mean Creek. Initial equilibrium is shown when the setting is a

normal school with the idea of a weaker kid (Sam) being bullied by a stronger one (George).

Disequilibrium is shown through the “revenge” arranged by Sam’s older brother where it goes wrong and George ends up drowning.

Taking Action is shown where those involved decide to come clean to George’s parents and the police, taking them to the site where they left George’s body.

Different equilibrium isn’t so much as shown but suggested as those involved in the incident have to live with the guilt of what they have done.

Propp’s Theory

Propp’s theory states that there are several common characters that have to present for a narrative and there are specific stages the characters have to go through. These characters are: The Hero- Overcome barriers to reach resolution at the

end of the story. The Princess – The reward for the hero at the resolution. The Villain – Tries to prevent the hero from restoring

equilibrium. The Donor – Give the hero information or an object to

help him on his quest. The Sidekick – The hero’s ally and companion. The False Hero - perceived as good character in beginning

but emerges as evil. The dispatcher - character who makes the quest known

and sends the hero off

Which of Propp’s characters are present?

There are only a few of Propp’s characters in the film and these are still only vague showings: The Hero – Even though he is the one to plan the “revenge”

Sam’s older brother is the one to dive in after George to try and save him and is also the one who decides to come clean. These are vague hero qualities as he is overcoming barriers to reach a new way of life..

The Villain – Even though George could be classed as a villain the character of Marty is the main villain, even after the others wanted to call of the plan he still wanted to go along, he was also the only one that didn’t come clean as he ran away, this is a villains quality because he tries to convince the others to keep the secret – preventing the reach of new equilibrium.

Other characters would not come under any of the titles designed by Propp.

Levi-Strauss’s Theory

Levi-Strauss’s theory stated that the way we understand certain words and ideas doesn’t depend on any meaning they directly contain, but by our understanding of the difference between the word and its 'opposite' or, as he called it 'binary opposite‘ He believed that binary oppositions are vital to the development of the story as the battle between the opposites is what drives the story forward.

What Binary Oppositions are present?

The Binary Opposite present throughout the film is Right vs Wrong. This is shown in different situations such as: The bullying situation between George and

Sam. The hiding of George’s body. Coming out about the situation to the

police.This is quite a conventional binary opposite in Thrillers as this is the main argument in most situations.

Discussion – How useful are these theories?

The theories of Toderov, Propp and Levi-Strauss are quite useful as they give you the basic ideas of what is successful for the narratives of films: the situations, characters and themes. These are the most important aspects of the film as they make the story. However they give you the idea that each stage and character MUST be present during every story otherwise it wouldn’t flow as it should do, which isn’t the case as some successful films don’t contain all the characters that “should” be present.

Discussion – Which theory is most useful?

I think that Levi-Strauss’s theory of Binary Oppositions is the most useful because most if not all films of any genre (especially Thrillers) have an argument between two factors whether it be Right vs Wrong or Sanity vs Insanity. There are many Binary Opposites that can be present in a film and I believe without them the story wouldn’t be interesting and wouldn’t have a complete narrative.

Discussion – Which theory is least useful?

I think that Propp’s theory is the least useful because not every film has an obvious Hero and Villain and some barely include the other characters that “should” be included. Also it gives false ideas about the situations that each character must go through as the main target for the hero could just be to survive instead of restoring the equilibrium. I think the theory is misleading and wouldn’t be much use in this type of genre.

Ideas for my production

The theories have given me certain ideas that I could possibly use for my Thriller opening sequence such as: The Binary Opposition of Right vs Wrong The idea of foreshadow of a disequilibrium A hero and VillainI will however be challenging some of the some of the characters stated by Propp because I don’t want the female to seem like a prize but to be her own person.

References

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377091/?ref_=nv_sr_1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_theory_(media)

https://www.google.co.uk/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=MW42VPrED8-zhAegoYGgBA&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg