Answer one question from this section.
You must refer to the three main texts you have studied in each answer.
Either,
A1. ‘Media representations of people are often simplistic.’ How true is this of the representations of people in your three main texts? [30]
Or,
A2. ‘Narratives generally follow a linear structure.’ Discuss with reference to your three main texts. [30]
We chose...
‘Narratives generally follow a linear structure.’ Discuss with reference to your three main texts.
Introduction (DAC)
Definition - Narrative refers to the way in which a story is told, and is the most vital aspect of film making. Through narrative structure, the same simple story can be told in wildly different ways. Linear narratives are straightforward and follow a chronological narrative structure. Argument - The texts I have studied all technical follow a linear narrative. However, within each film, there are many subversive narrative elements. This allows the producer to present a compelling and unique narrative to their target audiences. Additionally, narrative is a vital tool in encoding ideologies and manipulating the target audience. In order to explore this argument, I will be making reference to...
Plan
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
Archetypes
Circular narrative
Verisimilitude
Binary oppositions
Narrative codes - action and enigma, referential, symbolic
Propp's character types
Metanarratives - a story about a story
Diegesis
Closed/open
Postmodernism
Spectre Car Chase
Mad Max - meets the wives after the storm
Ending scene of selfish giant open
Character arc
Spectre - the car chase
- Bond theme played as Bond parachutes on to the moonlit and exotic streets of Rome. Lietmotif that has been used since the first Bond film, Dr No.
- Character archetypes - the foreign antagonist, (a referential code to the character Jaws from the film Moonraker), Bond, the British protagonist, who is represented through the mise en scene of his British Aston Martin car, his well tailored suit, and his calm and collected personality. Moneypenny, again a recurring character plays the role of helper
- Spectre relies on the metanarrative of the previous James Bond films to tell it's story. The genre convention of Bond's extremely expensive and gadget filled car throws the audience back to previous experiences of Bond Films like The Spy Who Loved Me. Offers audiences the gratification of social interaction, discussing with friends their knowledge
- Binary opposition is formed between the British Bond and the foreign Hinx. Hinx drives aggressively and dangerously. Lack of lexis suggests lack of intelligence. Dark skin suggests his status as foreigner, all black costume, reinforced through the low key lighting, action code suggesting he will commit violent acts against Bond. His muscular physique emphasised through his ill fitted suit.
The Selfish Giant - The final scene
- Heavy use of enigma codes. Slow paced editing combined with gentle handheld camera and a series of close ups presents an abrupt and frustrating ending, symbolic of the central ideology of the issues that the working class face.
- Arbor represented as an unconventional protagonist, lacking power. Complete lack of dialogue.
- Open narrative: no clear or explicit reference to what happens next, instead a shock cut to black.
- Binary opposition between the quietness of the final scene to the loudness and the vulgar language of the rest of the film.
- Postmodern elements. Disregards Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium by offering no resolution. No new equilibrium is given.
- Symbolic code through the CU of the horse's eye suggests that the clam, large and thoughtful Swifty has now somehow taken the role of the horse. Breaks the verisimilitude of the film.
- Reference to the non-diegetic appearance of Swifty after his death.