Connect…Connect

Can you create a 3 panel story similar to GARFIELD?

Think Carefully – Time Is Against You!

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CW A Field In England & NARRATIVE [17/04/2023]

A Level Media/MS4 Case Study

Learning Objective/ Outcome Level

All: will make observations and suggest links with key concept 1

Most: will apply key terminology from previous learning to your area of study

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Some: be able to apply a media theory from previous learning to your area of study

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Text

Genre• Signifiers

• Conventions

• Iconography

Narrative• Structure

• Conventions

• Key codes

Representation

• People

• Places

• Events/Issues

IndustryIssues

Production

Background/Context

Marketing/Promotion

Regulation

Global Implications

Distribution/Exhibition

Audience/Users

Targeting Positioning Debates Responses

Today!

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A Field In England

• A FIELD IN ENGLAND is a 2013 British film.

• It is written by Amy Jump and directed by Ben Wheatley

• It stars British actors Julian Barratt, Reece Shearsmith and Michael Smiley

• It was filmed over 12 days near Guildford

Discover

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Narrative• Narrative: A story (plot) or a description of a series of events.

• The sequence of events in narrative cinema revolves around the concept of 'cause and affect' otherwise known as;

Causality: Cause and Affect

• 'A narrative is a sequence of events taking place in time and space, in a casual relationship. A sequence of random events does not make a narrative' Bordwell and Thompson, Film Art; An introduction.

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Story

PlotPlot describes a set of

events as they relate to each other. The term is concerned with how to sequence and select the

events of a story as a structure for its telling and

how that telling can find maximum effect.

NarrativeHow the events are told. Narrative is the ordering

of events into a consumable format.

Narratives may involve a reordering of the events

of a story. The story’s events can be set out of chronological order; be

combined with elements from outside of the story

to better tell the consumer what is going on; or to build dramatic

effect.

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Quick Fire

Todorov Propp

Levi-Strauss Barthes

What do you remember about the following…

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Todorov• Todorov studied fairy tales and concluded that all stories followed

the same steps to make their stories

Equilibrium •A state of normality

Disruption•Something happens to disrupt the normality

Recognition •Hero realises the disruption

Complications•Hero meets issues trying to restore the equilibrium

New Equilibrium

•Hero restores a new normality

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Linear Vs. Non Linear

Linear Narrative• Linear narratives follow a straight line

— starting at the beginning, moving to the middle and proceeding to the end of the story. Often Chronological.

Non-Linear Narrative• non-linear narrative often starts at

the middle of a story or the height of a conflict and then double-backs to the beginning.

• Another, albeit more challenging, non-linear narrative form employs flashbacks and “flashforwards” to keep the audience on their toes as the film tells the full story.

Circular Narrative• A story that ends in the same place it

began is commonly called a circular or cyclical narrative.

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Narrative Structures

Single Strand• a story that has one central character

or hero acting in a single plot while surrounded by a group of minor

• Even though there is an antagonist who probes and tries to get in the way of the protagonist, a single strand narrative will always keep the focus on the protagonist and highlight his story and adventures above anything else going on.

Multiple Strand• Many works are made up of multiple

narrative strands. Instead of a single hero and a group of supporting characters, a narrative with multiple strands can have two or more isolated groups of characters existing at once.

• By juxtaposing strands -- groups with their own central characters -- the audience will not only be concerned about the action and outcome of each strand, but of how the strands relate to one another.

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Propp• Vladimir Propp studied fairy tales and recognised the same stock characters

in every storyHeroCharacter• Character who seeks something. The Protagonist.

VillainCharacter• Opposes the heroes quest. The Antagonist.

PrincessCharacter• The heroes reward – not necessarily a person!

DonorCharacter

• Gives the hero something to help with his quest

DispatcherCharacter• Sends the hero on his quest

HelperCharacter• Helps the hero – often a sidekick

False HeroCharacter• Looks heroic but disrupts the hero in their quest

Princess’ FatherCharacter• Rewards the hero by giving him the princess 12

Character Arcs

• A character begins the narrative with certain viewpoints that change through events in the narrative, in part because they must adapt to changes throughout the storyline.

• In many narratives, the main characters or protagonists seem unable to resolve their problems because they lack the skills to overcome the forces of antagonism that confront them. This flaw is a driving element of the plot.

• A character arc affects the protagonist in a narrative, although other characters can go through similar changes.

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Levi Strauss

• Claimed stories could only exist with BINARY OPPOSITES, elements that are against each other

Binary Opposite Examples

WomanBeauty

StrengthDecisive

LoudOldRich

Exciting

MenUgliness

WeaknessIndecisive

QuietYoungPoor

Boring

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Barthes• Roland Barthes explored how an audience decodes a text and

the different codes used to construct meaning from a text

Enigma CodeAnything that sets up a

mystery or question

Action CodeActions and behaviours that are universally understood

Symbolic CodeUse of psychological

symbols or binary opposition (can go

against expectations)

Cultural CodeCodes that are

understood across the world as culture

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Other Narrative Devices

Device Definition

OpenOften has no definite ending and multiple characters.

ClosedOffers an ending and often compresses time.

RestrictedGives the audience a partial glimpse of the story and leaves out details. Creates Enigma and engages the audience to “solve” the story.

UnrestrictedGives the audience the full storyline so they feel fully engaged – feeling of respect.

Dramatic IronyGives audience information the people in the film don’t know – feeling of empowerment for the audience

Cliff-hangerThe story has a dramatic moment which lacks resolution – feeling of tension and mystery.

Chekov’s Gun

Chekhov's gun is a dramatic principle that every element in a narrative be irreplaceable and that anything else be removed.

If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.—Anton Chekhov

In media resIn medias res is Latin for "into the middle of things." It usually describes a narrative that begins, not at the beginning of a story, but somewhere in the middle — usually at some crucial point in the action.

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Applying to A Field In England

Answer the following questions in full sentences:

1. How would you describe the structure of AFIE?2. What narrative techniques and devices are present within the

film?3. Do any of the characters have a specific role or function?4. Can you think of any technical/audio codes which help move

the narrative along or influence an audience reaction?5. Choose two of the features you have mentioned above and

explain their impact on an audience. How might an audience respond?

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Applying Narrative to A Field In England

• Past Question:How important are characters to the narrative of your three main texts?

[Jan 2012]• Try to:

– Discuss narrative conventions expected in this genre– Discuss benefits of Characters and developments to audience

appeal– Use examples (key scenes) from the film– Link to Conventional Genre narratives and characters– Use media terminology– Use theory where relevant

Specific points to consider for A Field In England:

• Its narrative conventions• Use of Narrative Devices• Balance between repetition and

difference (link Neale & GENRE)• Consider the different Audience

theories and their relationship to narrative

• Any issues surrounding the genre and appeal of the film in it’s story

Key Terms and Theories• Todorov• Propp• Barthes• Levi-Strauss• Character Arcs• Structure and Devices• Themes and Ideology

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Homework

• Write an essay answer to the question

• DUE: ??/6/2015

Develop

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Plenary

• Can you tell todays lesson as a story?

• How might you include any of the 4 Narrative Theories?

• Can you use any Narrative Devices?

Celebrate

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