Narrative Structure
Linear -
Have a clear beginning, middle and end.
They follow a chronological timeframe.
Action A leads to action B which leads to action C etc.
Fragmented -
Also called non-linear, disrupted or disjointed narratives. e.g. one is Joyce's family, one is Hopper and one is Scientists etc.
They do not have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Events / actions may be shown out of chronological order and not in the order they would naturally occur in, so C might happen before A does.
It is a narrative technique that can help to show parallel stories, a story within a story, dreams and so on within the same episode or sequel.
They are seen to more closely replicate the way the human mind works.
They make the audience participate in the story to try and piece the story together.
Enigma Codes -
Roland Barthes. e.g.
Where does eleven come from?
Why did the man get taken?
What took him?
Why did Benny get shot?
The events in my episode occur in a fragmented structure due to the multiple storylines in one episode.
The structure helps me to understand the story due to the flashbacks to give some background / context e.g. Joyce in Will's tent. Also, just the background information e.g. Hopper's history shown through the picture in his office and when the teacher asks about his child.
The structure helps me to engage in the drama before it unfolds because it makes me want to find out what happens to the characters.
Restricted -
We experience the story through the senses and thoughts of just one character.
This is almost always the main character (protagonist).
The narrative cannot tell the audience things that the main character does not know, we find things out in the story at the same time as the character.
Omnipresent -
A panoramic, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one character's point of view.
Provides the point of view of many characters and their experience and feelings within the story.
Helps the audience see a broader background to the story, from a number of contexts.
Used for telling stories in which the context, views and feelings of many characters are important.
Narrative endings
Closed endings -
TV dramas traditionally feature one character's story or point of view in an episode, which comes to a resolution at the end of the episode.
The character's story can exist as one unique story in one episode.
A story is unravelled before an audience, and then ultimately brought to a conclusion.
The following episode will feature a different story
Open endings -
When an episode or season ends on a cliff hanger.
A story-telling technique.
In films, open endings can be unsatisfying for audiences.
In long form TV drama, open endings indicate there will be a continuation of the 'story', or possibly a resolution, in the next episode.
Academic ideas about narrative -
Todorov : Equilibrium theory
Strauss : Binary Oppositions
Have a clear beginning, middle and end.
They follow a chronological timeframe.
Action A leads to action B which leads to action C etc.
Fragmented -
Also called non-linear, disrupted or disjointed narratives. e.g. one is Joyce's family, one is Hopper and one is Scientists etc.
They do not have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Events / actions may be shown out of chronological order and not in the order they would naturally occur in, so C might happen before A does.
It is a narrative technique that can help to show parallel stories, a story within a story, dreams and so on within the same episode or sequel.
They are seen to more closely replicate the way the human mind works.
They make the audience participate in the story to try and piece the story together.
Enigma Codes -
Roland Barthes. e.g.
Where does eleven come from?
Why did the man get taken?
What took him?
Why did Benny get shot?
The events in my episode occur in a fragmented structure due to the multiple storylines in one episode.
The structure helps me to understand the story due to the flashbacks to give some background / context e.g. Joyce in Will's tent. Also, just the background information e.g. Hopper's history shown through the picture in his office and when the teacher asks about his child.
The structure helps me to engage in the drama before it unfolds because it makes me want to find out what happens to the characters.
Restricted -
We experience the story through the senses and thoughts of just one character.
This is almost always the main character (protagonist).
The narrative cannot tell the audience things that the main character does not know, we find things out in the story at the same time as the character.
Omnipresent -
A panoramic, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one character's point of view.
Provides the point of view of many characters and their experience and feelings within the story.
Helps the audience see a broader background to the story, from a number of contexts.
Used for telling stories in which the context, views and feelings of many characters are important.
Narrative endings
Closed endings -
TV dramas traditionally feature one character's story or point of view in an episode, which comes to a resolution at the end of the episode.
The character's story can exist as one unique story in one episode.
A story is unravelled before an audience, and then ultimately brought to a conclusion.
The following episode will feature a different story
Open endings -
When an episode or season ends on a cliff hanger.
A story-telling technique.
In films, open endings can be unsatisfying for audiences.
In long form TV drama, open endings indicate there will be a continuation of the 'story', or possibly a resolution, in the next episode.
Academic ideas about narrative -
Todorov : Equilibrium theory
Strauss : Binary Oppositions
Stranger Things Poster Analysis
- A small town, doesn't look like a big city.
- Night time as the sky is dark and moon is present.
- A restricted area as there is a sign in the background.
Themes :
- Supernatural
- Paranormal
- Crime
- Good and bad
Icons :
- Fairy lights
- Walkie Talkie
- Baseball bat
- Bikes
Characters :
- More children / teens than adults.
- Female child is the main focus as maybe is controlling the others.
- More males than females.
- All look very worried.
Intertextuality :
- Star Wars poster - the film came out in 1983.
- ET- the bikes
Long Form TV Drama
Trouble with UK TV drama...
Failed to meet the challenge of US cable channels.
US dramas are more daring and take many more risks which grabs the viewers attention much more than plain, boring TV.
Changing platforms...
Content viewing via a TV still dominates in the UK.
3/4 of households in the UK have a PVR (personal video recorder).
Use of time shift is increasing.
Growth of SVOD (subscription video on demand) web based channels - Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV etc.
Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market and 5million subscribers - 10% growth from 2015-2016.
Audiences...
Rise of binge-watching started with DVD in the 1990s.
A move from 'water cooler' TV to 'shared universe' fandom.
US long form drama often uses easter eggs and mid season breaks to generate fan intensity and maintain media profile.
Why do audiences love LFTVD?
High quality drama.
Multiple episodes - can spend A LOT of time with favourite characters.
Content can be dark and difficult but also innovative.
Attracts some of the best actors and writers.
Time shifting - can watch whenever you want.
Easily accessible.
'State of the nation' TV...
Long form shows challenged the simplistic storylines and stereotypical characters that dominate network TV.
HBO launched The Sopranos in 1999 which was a huge commercial and critical hit. Increasingly, these shows were about the crisis of US identity and hegemony.
Other shows followed including The Wire which won awards and turned US TV into a medium for various subject content and critique.
Failed to meet the challenge of US cable channels.
US dramas are more daring and take many more risks which grabs the viewers attention much more than plain, boring TV.
Changing platforms...
Content viewing via a TV still dominates in the UK.
3/4 of households in the UK have a PVR (personal video recorder).
Use of time shift is increasing.
Growth of SVOD (subscription video on demand) web based channels - Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV etc.
Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market and 5million subscribers - 10% growth from 2015-2016.
Audiences...
Rise of binge-watching started with DVD in the 1990s.
A move from 'water cooler' TV to 'shared universe' fandom.
US long form drama often uses easter eggs and mid season breaks to generate fan intensity and maintain media profile.
Why do audiences love LFTVD?
High quality drama.
Multiple episodes - can spend A LOT of time with favourite characters.
Content can be dark and difficult but also innovative.
Attracts some of the best actors and writers.
Time shifting - can watch whenever you want.
Easily accessible.
'State of the nation' TV...
Long form shows challenged the simplistic storylines and stereotypical characters that dominate network TV.
HBO launched The Sopranos in 1999 which was a huge commercial and critical hit. Increasingly, these shows were about the crisis of US identity and hegemony.
Other shows followed including The Wire which won awards and turned US TV into a medium for various subject content and critique.
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