Narrative

Vladimir Propp

In todays lesson we were taught about some famous names in the historic film industry. Not your modern day icons, the lesson centred around Vladimir Propp, Todorov, Levi-Strauss and Roland Barthes.

Roland Barthes

We were made familiar with their studies, primarily Bathes' statements about movie. These include Symbolic references: for example a holy cross being used to connotate a belief in God or other religious  subjects. We studied action; what the character does in the film in order for the audience to become familiar with them. Finally we studied Enigma. This is the study of how the media manipulates the mind in order to make the viewer ask questions.

Todorov

Levi-Strauss

Other studys included:

•  Propp's idea on basic characters which always feature in media. These are the 'Hero', the 'Hero Helper', the 'Villain' and finally the 'Princess or Damsel'.
• Todorovs study of how stories always start at equilibrium. As they continue they develop problems which must be overcome to return to equilibrium.
• Levi-Strauss' "Binary Opposition" - The study of oppositions featuring heavily in movies, for example 'Good v Evil' or 'Black v White'