research and critical theory: understanding narrative theory (unfinished)

Media narrative codes from Elaine Humpleby

Linear & Non-Linear

Linear  
An example of a linear film would be "21 jump street" as it follows the story of one main character, the timeline also follows a real timeline true to realtime. Linear story lines follow a chronological order for the narrative, the timeline is in a "straight line", which means that the story flows seamlessly throughout the film. Linear storyline's are usually used in action, comedy etc. films because they're easy for the audience too follow.

Non-Linear
An example of a Non-Linear film would be "Pulp Fiction" because the storyline has several main characters as well as moving around timelines, with the help of flashbacks, link-ins of narratives and       coinciding events that bring the characters together. Non-Linear storyline's are usually used in Sci-Fi films, to often refer back to the equilibrium point at the start of the film, usually used through flashbacks.

 Propp

Propp categorised characters, by explaining their role to the main narrative of a film, he used research that suggested that narratives are character driven and the plot revolves around these characters actions. The hero - will typically have a mission that is in the name of good or so on, and will usually be a character that conforms to social values. The villain - normally there to stop the hero specifically, or have an evil agenda eg. rob a bank. The doner - aids the hero throughout the story. The dispatcher - sends the hero on his quest eg. Gandalf or commissioner Gordon. The false hero - seems to be good but then ay trick the hero or give him bad advice. The princess - the typical helpless lass that is in a spot of bother and cannot help herself. Her father - normally rewards the hero for saving his daughter, to which she is normally the prize.

Levi-Strauss

He states that in a typical film there will often be contrasts to make the difference between places or personalities different, he calls these contrasts "binary oppositions". Examples are such things as hero-villain, light-dark and so on. he argues that some narratives rely on these character developments, as they're typical of the genre.

Todrov - Equilibrium & disequilibrium

     He argues that the narrative relies on the hero solving a problem, and that this will include the hero passing through a series of tests and stages to get to his objective, these will be in a linear order so that the audience understands the narrative, this also includes a chronological timeline. He agree's with Propp in that the characters actions effect the outcome of the narrative, this is cause and effect.

         

Noire still images

both of these images i have attemted to edit according too controversies of the Noire genre, by taking out all colour and "antiquing" the photo's while still trying to keep modern qualities, this is especially shown in the top picture as i have added grain while sharpening the overall picture. both of the above pictures were edited on Pixlr which had a variety of suitable tool's to fit with the genre.                                                                                                                                                           Film Noir is

 “a new cinematic technique that made use of dark or dim lighting effects, dreary settings, filtered lights and generally dark themes and characterizations. Noir scenes are made from interesting camera angles and with dramatic close-ups and shadowed lighting. Frequently the stories use of smoke-filled rooms, views of light filtered through venetian blinds, seedy downtown areas with neon lights, dark wet streets to heighten the noir effect. “ 

Our characters were created to fit the conventions of a typical noire film with use of the anti-hero, a villain, and two fem fatales who are both different, one is a main character(anti-hero's partner) the other is an acquaintance of the other fem fatale.

Research textual highlights

Double Indemnity

Director:

Billy Wilder 

Writers:

Billy Wilder (screenplay), Raymond Chandler (screenplay)

Stars:

Fred MacMurray,  Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson

Budget:

$927,262

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Runtime:

107 min

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Taglines:

You Can't Kiss Away A Murder!

Double Indemnity from Shadows on Vimeo.
DOUBLE INDEMNITY from TODAY IS BORING on Vimeo.

Ted Swede film

Ted swede from Sam SheepDawg-OEight on Vimeo.

conventions & stereotypes

i feel that we met the conventions of a sweded film, with the use of a hand-held camera and spontaneous camera angles. The script itself was planned to an extent, we studied the Ted trailer to use key points from the story to create our own trailer. I think that the key scenes that we used were relevant to recognition for the audience to gain the narrative of the storyline. Although the script was not film specific we tried to conform to the audience guidelines for the movie.

improvement & targets

We could of scripted the film better by using an accurate example. the same can be said for the camera angles, the film we made is hard for the audience to pick up a storyline from, i think that because we had all seen the film prior to the sweded film, we picked the wrong scenes to describe the story.

Conventions of a thriller opening from zubairkhan93


This slideshow identifies the basic conventions of a thriller opening well with detailed descriptions were needed. I think that the target audience would be GCSE Media class as the slideshow only shows a limited amount of knowledge applied and does not give enough information for higher students to analyse key points. The purpose of the slideshow is to inform students about thriller openings very loosely because there are no specialist words used in media, it uses very basic vocabulary to describe key events and points. the format is successful because it provides a simple clear background, with simple font and colour.

An Analysis Of The Opening Sequence Of Vertigo from Media Studies

Codes and conventions of opening sequences from kcasmedia

slideshow

Conventions of an opening sequence from emiliefreddie

sweded film conventions

sweded films

Be kind,rewind is what, really started sweded films. it takes the narrative and conventions of film genre's and uses hand-made props as well as diegetic sounds and no special effects. They are essentially a very low budget film made by a small number of people, however it'd be wrong to say they're amateur as they can be very creative and works of genius. Coined by it's own film, the charm of sweded film is the fact that anyone can do them.

Sweded video requirements

1. Must be based on an already produced film
2. Range 2-8 minutes in length
3. Must not contain computer generated graphics
4. Based on films less than 35 years old
5. Special effects must be limited to camera tricks
   and arts 'n crafts
6. Sound effects created by human means
7. Hilarious.

i acquired these video's from Georgia's blog (http://asmediageorgiasmith.blogspot.co.uk/)

The cast away swede film, included copyright music which is not typical of a sweded film. Although all other elements are conventional such as the hand made props and amateur acting.   The inception swede however has all the essential elements that meets the conventions of a swede film; homemade props and music etc.