Media Theories

By James Powell

Todorov says that films usually follow 3 conventional acts within their narrative. Tzvetan Todorov Equilibrium
1) 2)

Disequilibrium

New Equilibrium

Equilibrium refers to a state of normal life, everything is as it has been for a while. Disequilibrium is when normal life is disrupted and the protagonist is faced with a challenge.

3)

New Equilibrium refers to closure of storylines and the challenge that the protagonist is faced with during the film.

The Godfather, Lock Stock and Get Carter all follow this structure.
Equilibrium Todorov extends this structure to a five step plan: Disequilibrium Acknowledgement of Disequilibrium to Repair Disequilibrium New Equilibrium Attempt

Although the issue with Todorovs theory is that it only applies when a film follows a linear pattern and so this theory would not apply to films such as 44-Inch Chest and Pulp Fiction.

Vladimir Propp
Vladimir Propp says that in all narratives the characters will conform to several arc types these are listed below with examples.
Character
Protagonist

Role Within Film

Drives the narrative, is usually looking for something (a quest) or trying to solve something (a mystery) Gets in the protagonists way and challenges him in his quest

Antagonist

Heroine

Prize or reward for the hero at the end, usually female but can be male in some cases

Father (Figure)

An authority figure who offers a reward for the hero after completing their quest

Helper

Sidekick- helps the hero

Donor

Gives the hero a clue, a talisman, a special power- which helps them complete their quest Teaches and guides the hero along the storyline

Mentor

Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes theory says that there are 5 codes within a narrative and that from these 5 codes there are also 5 ways to make meaning from the narrative. Action Code Enigma Code

Applies to any action that implies a further narrative of action. And tells the audience that the action sequence will soon play out.
For Example: In Get Carter a scene begins with a close up of a gun it then pans out showing Michael Caine holding it and walking towards the camera.

Refers to any element in a story that is not explained and, therefore, exists as an enigma for the audience, raising that demand question.
For Example:
In the opening of Pulp Fiction we are left with a enigma as we see two characters rob a cafe the film then moves on and doesn't return to this scene until the end. Leaving the audience with questions regarding who these two people were and what they were doing.

Claude Levi- Strauss

Levi-Strauss suggested that all narratives had to be driven forward by conflict that was caused by a series of opposing forces. Age Good Light Silence

VS
Youth Evil Dark Noise

He called this theory Binary Opposition, and it is used t describe how each main force in a narrative has its equal and opposite. This idea of binary opposition also extends to initiating the narrative and what moves it forward. E.g. the rivalry between two people