Narrative analysis.

 Analysis of media fact-sheet 14- narrative.

1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. 

An example of a film which follows Todorov's narrative structure is Iron man as in the beginning he can be seen receiving awards and living a peaceful life which is known as the equilibrium however this is shifted as he is then kidnapped which leads to a disequilibrium which is a problem which requires solving which the main character does this by creating a metal suit which helps him escape the cave he was taken to. Then at the end he stops the villain/bad guy resolving conflict and creating a new equilibrium. 

2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Fact sheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.

The clip above is from Chicago med and it is the opening scene, there are a lot of elements of contrast in the first few seconds as at first the Doctor on the train suggests that he is heading to work to save lives and on the flip side at the hospital there is a new emergency bay being opened and revealed however during the middle the train derails causing a lot of harm and injuries. Tension is created greatly as the music becomes tense and the camera shifts and zooms in onto peoples faces and their injuries and moreover this tension is further built as in the hospital all the Doctors receive notifications on their phones which alerts them to the fact that there has been a significant incident. Moreover, the main characters clothing make him appear quite professional indicating that he might have a serious job and in this case he is a surgeon. This idea can further be built upon when the train derails and he quickly attends to people by providing care and help which is character development and it establishes who he is as a person.

3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.

One character is Iron man as he resolves conflict and brings a resolution to war, another character is spider-man and another character is captain america from the marvel cinematic universe. Spider-man helps people in need and he also stops villains from causing harm to people and Captain America does the same as well. These characters are also the main protagonists in each of their movie and they restore equilibrium.

4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

An example of binary opposition would be good versus bad or old vs young and it is when two things are opposite of each other or in complete contrast. It also means two contrasting elements.

5) What example is provided in the Fact sheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

One example is when a policeman captures a criminal within a crime drama series which leads to the dominant ideology of the value of law and order becoming emphasised.

6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?

Enigma codes offer gratification for audiences because it allows them to solve a given mystery and action codes ensure that the audience keeps watching as there will always be an element of surprise or action.

7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:

• Episodic narrative (the series)

A genre of a narrative which is normally divided into a fixed number of episodes each with overall messages that link the an overall theme.

• Overarching narrative (the serial)

Serials use a conventional narrative arc which can span over a number of episodes and normally each individual episode tend to not have a resolution but instead this resolutions happens at the end of the serial.

• Mixed narrative

A text which uses both episodic and overarching narratives.

• Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative)

Where the structure in texts or films don't always follow a strict story line.

8) How does the Fact sheet suggest adverts use narrative?

The fact sheet suggests that adverts use narrative in ways in order to get the audience thinking about messages for example in the peril advertisement the exposition and resolution can be seen which link to a "clean" world whereas the rugby in the advert makes the audience link rugby to dirt and messiness. Peril is represented to be the hero in this situation as it reveals that peril can help to clean any stains or dirt stains.