Lesson 12

Narrative and Characters

ZigZag Education, 2013

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Aims
O To recognise narrative structures and

techniques that are commonly used in

action/adventure films.

O To confidently recognise and analyse

conventional characters in
action/adventure films.

O To work successfully in a group and to be

an independent enquirer (SEAL/PLTS).

Match the Words and

Definitions
O You have a range of different narrative

techniques.
O You must match the definitions to the

correct word.

Narrative Techniques:
Answers
Closed narrative

Where the narrative has a definitive ending and all problems are solved.

Open narrative

Where the narrative is open to be added on to; this could be in the form of a sequel. There isnt a
definitive ending.

Cliffhanger

Where the narrative is left open with the audience not knowing what will happen next. This is
used to keep the audience interested, in the hope that they will watch on.

Red herring

A technique where the audience or the characters are led to believe something different; they are
tricked or led up the garden path.

Suspense

Where a text builds up a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty about the outcome among the
audience. This could be through music, editing or the characters actions.

Multi-strand

Where there are a number of different stories within one media text.

Circular narrative

Where the narrative goes full circle and the ending/resolution is the same as
beginning/equilibrium.

Montage

A type of editing whereby a mixture of different shots/images, usually over time, are edited
together to give the effect that time has passed.

Binary oppositions

A theory thought up by Levi-Strauss whereby opposites are used to create conflict and drive the
narrative forward.

Ellipsis

A technique used to miss out big chunks of time.

Narrative structures
O Narrative structure is the way the

story or plot unfolds.

O Structure 1
O Is the narrative a closed ending

or an open ending?

Closed vs Open
O How would you define a closed and

an open ended film?

O Examples

Closed vs Open
O A closed structure means the story ends

satisfactorily as in most films this is known

as closure, with the girl getting the boy or
the hero saving the planet.
O An open ending means there is no final

conclusion to the story a television soap

has no final ending, it just has minor endings
( a character gets killed). The audience may
be asked to decide how an open story ends.

Structure 3
O Multistrand

O A multi-strand structure means

there are several narratives running

at the same time. This is very
common in television and radio
soaps and ongoing drama series,
such as Holby City, and The Bill.

The Exam
1. Explain two ways the characters and/or events in the
extract fit the action/adventure genre.
marks]

[10

2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effect:

soundtrack
camerawork
editing
mise-en-scne
[20
marks]
3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the
extract.
[20
marks]
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Recapping Narrative
Theories
Tzvetan Todorov
O Equilibrium A sense of normality, the calm

before the storm.

O Disruption The point where the story changes;

a death, an event, a situation.

O Restoration Where normality is restored; they

all live happily every after.

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Recapping Narrative
Theories
Vladimir Propps character types
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The
The
The
The
The
The
The

villain
donor (or provider)
helper
princess and her father
dispatcher
hero
false hero

Levi-Strauss binary oppositions

Good vs Evil Men vs Women
White vs Black
East vs West

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The Exam
1. Explain two ways the characters and/or events in
the extract fit the action/adventure genre.
[10 marks]
On the first viewing of the text (you are not allowed to write),
concentrate on two possible examples.
What is the question asking you to do?
Pick something that will not overlap with Questions 2 and 3 too
much.
10 marks = 10 minutes writing time
Focus on character and narrative (events), as you will probably
not repeat yourself in the rest of the exam.
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Watch the Following

Clip
O Pick two ways the characters and/or

events in the extract fit the

action/adventure genre.
O After two viewings of the clip and note-

taking on the worksheet, write up an

answer that explains how they fit the
genre.
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Structure to Q1

Identify the subgenre

2. State whether this is stereotypical or anti-stereotypical of
the sub-genre
3. Give 2 characters examples from the extract
I.
Discuss are they typical or do they subvert the typical
character archetypes
II. How are the characters typical/anti-stereotypical of the
Action-Adventure Subgenre give specific examples from
extract.
III. Do they adhere or subvert Propps character archetypes?
4. Give 2 event examples of the Narrative
I.
How is the event typical to the Action-Adventure
subgenre?
II. Give specific example of how the narrative event is
typical? Link to Levis Binary oppositions.
III. Does it adhere or subvert Todorovs narrative theory and
how?
1.

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Reviewing the Aims

O To recognise narrative structures and

techniques that are commonly used in

action/adventure films.

O To confidently recognise and analyse

conventional characters in
action/adventure films.

O To work successfully in a group and to

be an independent enquirer (SEAL/PLTS).

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