Narrative 3+4
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NARRATIVE AND CAUSALITY (Lesson’s 3+4 of 7 on Narrative) In a moving image text sequences are joined together in a pattern/ chain which is called causality – one thing leads to another, which leads to another . For example, as you watch any film you should be able to plot the pattern of causality throughout it, watching a structure develop of events providing the seeds for other events throughout the narrative. We naturally try to connect the events to make sense of what is happening, to see a line of cause and effect. Certain shots in a certain order can create different moods and atmospheres, to help build a picture in our minds. NARRATIVE AND IDEOLOGY As we have discussed with regards to Genre... Ideology is the thoughts, ideas and beliefs of a text – in short, what the text is trying to say: Jaws – nature is dangerous Trainspotting – anti-heroin Fatal Attraction – anti-single women The Kuleshov Experiment For the 1920’s Russian film-maker Lev Kuleshov, the essence of narrative cinema was editing, the juxtapositio n of one shot with another. To illustrate this principle, he created what has come to be known as the Kuleshov Experiment. In this now-famous editing exercise, shots of an actor were inter-cut with various meaningful images (a casket with a dead woman inside, a bowl of soup, a child, and so on) in order to show how editing changes viewers' interpretations of images. The audience interpreted the actor’s expressions as being sad, hungry, affectionate, even though the actor’s expression never changed. This is because our brains try to make continuative sense of what we see. The placing together of images is called montage.
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Transcript of Narrative 3+4
8/3/2019 Narrative 3+4
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NARRATIVE AND CAUSALITY (Lesson’s 3+4 of 7 onNarrative)
In a moving image text sequences are joined together in a pattern/ chain which is called causality –one thing leads to another, which leads to another.
For example, as you watch any film you should be able to plot the pattern of causality throughoutit, watching a structure develop of events providing the seeds for other events throughout thenarrative.
We naturally try to connect the events to make sense of what is happening, to see a line of causeand effect.
Certain shots in a certain order can create different moods and atmospheres, to help build a picturein our minds.
NARRATIVE AND IDEOLOGY
As we have discussed with regards to Genre...
Ideology is the thoughts, ideas and beliefs of a text – in short, what the text is trying to say:
Jaws – nature is dangerousTrainspotting – anti-heroinFatal Attraction – anti-single women
The Kuleshov Experiment
For the 1920’s Russian film-maker Lev Kuleshov, theessence of narrative cinema was editing, the juxtaposition of one shot with another. To illustratethis principle, he created what has come to beknown as the Kuleshov Experiment.
In this now-famous editing exercise, shots of anactor were inter-cut with various meaningful images(a casket with a dead woman inside, a bowl of soup,
a child, and so on) in order to show how editingchanges viewers' interpretations of images. Theaudience interpreted the actor’s expressions asbeing sad, hungry, affectionate, even though theactor’s expression never changed. This is becauseour brains try to make continuative sense of whatwe see. The placing together of images is called
montage.
8/3/2019 Narrative 3+4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/narrative-34 2/5
The last example is depressingly common i.e. the problem is a woman that has to be sorted out.In Victorian times most novels ended with the loose ends being tied up and the problems resolvedby a marriage. – this was the ultimate solution for their society. How will people look back at 90’ssociety which is represented in films which end with the violent deaths of women who weredifferent as in Fatal Attraction and Thelma and Louise.
Ideology is a key concept of the A2 so remember that the examiner will notice if you do notmention ideology – All media products have an ideology
Look at the representation of main character in Twilight : The shots used (soft focus close ups), mise-en-scene (brooding alone in dark empty settings/looking longingly), editing (quick/ abrupt to highlight the elusive mysterious nature of thecharacter), soundtrack (emo/ introspective indie), lighting (low key/ chiaroscuro effect to suggestduality of personality) etc. all reinforce the idea of Edward as a misunderstood outsider andtherefore helps inform the films ideology:
THE IDEOLOGY OF (ADOLESCENT) DESIRE/ WAITING/ YEARNING FOR TRUE LOVE
The examiner will not be looking for a ‘right answer’ - They will simply be impressed to see that youare thinking ideologically and that whatever point of view you take, you are able to back it up with
the detail of your analysis.
Here are some common ideologies that are used in media products:
THE IDEOLOGY OF FAMILY AND FAMILY VALUESIdeally children should grow up with two married heterosexual parents and one or two brothers and
sistersMarriage is the ideal kind of relationship
Sex outside of marriage is a bad thing, particularly when it is casual
THE IDEOLOGY OF MATERIALISM/ CONSUMERISMBuying things and having lots of money are ways to achieve happiness
THE IDEOLOGY OF WORK ETHICHard work is not just a way of becoming successful, but it is a good thing in itself.
Those who choose not to work hard should be looked down on – ‘work shy layabouts’
THE IDEOLOGY OF SELF DETERMINATIONPeople should not rely on anyone else or society to help them through life, they should achieve things
for themselvesIt is quite possible for anyone to be successful if they are willing to try
THE IDEOLOGY OF DEFERENCE
We should have respect for those who are in authority over us.
THE IDEOLOGY OF SEXUAL DIFFERENCEWomen and men have very different abilities in almost everything they do.
In general the abilities of men are greater when it really matters.
ACTIVITY 1:BRIEFLY SUMMISE THE IDEOLOGY OF YOUR…
OPENING SEQUENCE PRODUCTION FROM THE AS:
FILM TRAILER PRODUCTION FOR THE A2:
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ACTIVITY 3:GET INTO YOUR GROUPS AND CONTINUE TO PLAN/ PHOTOGRAPH/ EDIT YOURSTOP-MOTION ANIMATION WHICH MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE OF THENARRATIVE THEORIES WE HAVE COVERED IN CLASS SO FAR e.g.
Todorov’s Equilibrium
Levi-Strauss’ Binary Oppositions
Field’s Three Act Plot Structure
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING…
Materials required
Equipment needed
Sketches/ rough storyboard
Time scale (15-20 seconds max)
No. of frames required
WHEN YOU HAVE THAT DONE…
Photograph your sequence
Edit it
Add sound track
USE THE SPACE BELOW FOR NOTES
