Narrative Structure

Narrative structure

What is a narrative?
A story is all the events surrounding a group of characters in a place at a certain time.
A narrative is the selected way of telling that story.

• Does it follow so kind of structure?
• Does it have conventions(rules).
• Does it have a beginning, middle and end?
• What characters are there? protagonist? antagonist? props theory?

Types of TV drama-

• Single drama/film - Only 1 series and 1 episode.
• Soaps- ongoing drama with no end, each episode usually ends with a cliffhanger. Often have massive casts.
• Serial- A tv show that runs in seasons- they have a different story each episode, for example cuffs because they deal with new, different crimes each episode.
• Anthology series- A completely different set of characters for every episode. 
• Long-form series drama- It comes in different seasons but theres storylines that run all the way through an entire season or multiple seasons.
• Long-from series drama with some narrative experimentation- It plays around with time and the way tv dramas are usually structured, for example doing an hour per episode, running the series in real time.

Linear narrative- A sequential narrative with a beginning middle and a end- in that order. Linear narratives provide a straightforward, sequential representation of events leading to a single resolution. As such, easily accessible to audiences and are the dominant form in mainstream media representations. Such as Mama Mia. 

Todorov theory

Applying todorovs theory to Little red riding hood

 A state of equilibrium is when she goes to collect food for her grandma.

When she meets the wolf, it disrupts the state of equilibrium, he disrupts the balanced, happy nature to the story.

Little red riding hood recognises that the disorder had occurred when the wolf is in the grandmas bed, instead of her grandma.

Little red riding hood attempts to repair the damage due to an altercation between her and the wolf, she attempts to get her grandma back and defeat the wolf.

The return to a new equilibrium is when she finds the grandma and hey live happily ever after.

Cuffs is known as a character led narrative with multiple storylines. It is a serial drama.

The Avengers is known as a long form serial drama.

Todorov's theory to Cuffs-

Equilibrium- There is no act of crime on the street at the time.

Disruption to equilibrium- A truck drives into a shop.

Recognition that the disorder had occurred- The police contact other please officers and try to act on the crime.

Attempt to repair the damage- The police go on a car chase.

The return to a new equilibrium- criminals have not been caught just yet. 

Todorov's theory to avengers- 

Equilibrium-The spies enter a so called 'regular' town. 

Disruption to equilibrium- The man the spies were on the train with is found murdered.

Recognition that the disorder had occurred- The spies start to investigate the town, Little Bazeley.

Attempt to repair the damage- The attack the Russians main base.

The return to a new equilibrium- The spies return home knowing the Russians have been defeated.

Strauss 

What is his theory?

Binary oppositions=a conflict between two opposites.

• Good vs Evil
• Rich vs Poor
• Black vs White