Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Propp and Todorov - Music Video and Thriller Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSKg6FvKEHI = Music Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkHAN9mA1Rs = Thriller Video

Propps Theory :
1. The hero (seeks something)
2. The villain (opposes the hero)
3. The donor (helps the hero by providing a magic object)
4. The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way)
5. The false hero (falsely assuming the role of hero)
6. The helper (gives support to the hero)
7. The princess (the reward for the hero but needs to be protected from the villain)
8. Her father

Todorov's Theory :
Films and Programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then disruption causes disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative (Referred to as ‘Classic’ or ‘Hollywood’ narrative).

Propps theory in relation to the Music & Thriller Video ; Propps theory suggest that every narrative may consist of the 8 charcaters however both my media products oppose this as the Thriller Video is an opening film sequence and only shows one charcater although this charcater is the "Victim" and this could suggets that the film may use the rest of propps characters.
This is the same for the music video. it is hard to apply Propps theory to any small product other than Films. A good Film that is an example of Propps Theory is Herculeus.

Whereas Todorovs theory can relate to a range of more products as it doesn't revolve around certain characters it is a basic structure that allot of films can follow and even music videos, typical films that use todorovs theory may finish with a happy ending an example of this may be Spiderman.
In My Thriller opening sequence there is no equilibrium from the start and it has no disruption and this is the same for the music video.

Niether of my Media products exactly follow both of these Theories and cant be adapted to anything.

analysis of my media products on propps and todorovs narrative theories

Vladimir Propp’s Theory of Narrative

Vladimir Propp suggested that characters took on the role of narrative 'spheres of action' or functions. From a comprehensive study of folktales Propp came up with different character types:

• The hero, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium
often by embarking upon a quest (or search). Propp distinguishes between
the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker
hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the
texts central character.
• The villain who usually creates the narrative disruption.
• The donor gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or
advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
• The helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.
• The princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the
villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father's (who in
fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the
hero at the narrative's conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.
• The dispatcher sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the
princess father)
• The false hero appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to
have been bad
Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess
may also be a helper.

i can apply this theory to my thriller video because in our media product it involves a villain and two heros searching for their missing or abducted sister. although this product was made during the early stages of our media lessons, it still includes

http://www.youtube.com/user/longroadmediastudies#p/search/3/cbjhPh9Bu_c

Tzvetan Todorov’s Theory of Narrative
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium

This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many
‘mainstream’ film narratives. my childrens film and thriller can be applied to the todorov theory because it follows the same structures and invloves the same scenarios with in them.

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Genre contd.

We have decided to study the 'comedy genre'.

Pinewood studios specialises in comedy.

3 actors: Adam Sandler and Jack Black, Bradley Cooper.

2 directors: Todd Phillips who directed 'the hangover' and Eric Darnell who directed 'Madagascar'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sraHz_G2oB8

This is Samir's thriller. The genre is 'sci- thriller'. It is a hybrid thriller. We followed convention as much as we could. This meant we had to live up to the conventions and the functions of genre.

Functions of genre:

* Reinforcement of our ideas and values
* Creation of a set of audience expectations
* Creation of characteristics by producers which audiences can recognise
* A relationship between audiences and producers which minimises the risk of financial failure
* Dynamism and flexibility - they are constan

Functions of Genre

TASK:
List a studio, 3 actors and 2 directors that are recognised as specialising in a particular genre.

Studio : Aardman Animations - Specilises in stop motion clay animation. (Wallace & Gromet - Childrens Film)

Actors (Comedy) : Will Ferrel

Simon Pegg

Jim Carrey

Directors (Thriler) : Quentin Tarantino

Alfred hitchcock

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

SCI-FI Research

Sci-Fi is a broadly recognised genre. What most people don't realise is that it is really a hybrid genre of Science and Fiction. One of the first and most iconic appearances of Sci Fi in literature was Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, following that, Jules verne and H G Wells arose later as some of the most iconic, memorable and best Sci fi writers, giving us such stories as War Of The Worlds.
Regarding film, the first example of Sci Fi in cinema was Georges Melies' A Trip to the Moon (1902). probably the most Iconic, resounding and Classical example of Science fiction in film is the film Metropolis (1927).
By far the most recognised examples of Science Fiction are Star Trek and Star Wars. they have accumulated a huge following.

sub genre: time travel

Hybrid genre: Even thought Sci-fi is already a hybrid genre there are still Hybrid genres created from it such as Sci-Fi Western. The film Wild Wild West is a good example of a Steampunk Western (Steampunk being a Sci Fi subgenre).

Genre

Genre - the word genre derives from French and means 'type' or 'kind'. In a study of media texts it is used to divide texts into easily identifiable categories. It is a way of classifying media products according to the elements that they share.


The Advantages of genre from the following perspectives:

* Producer (company that funds the film) - A genre may be able to specify what budget the company provides as some films may be low budget such as the Blair witch project which is a Horror and a very low budget film whereas a all star cast hollywood action film would need an extremely high budget.


* Audience (Consumers of the film) - Different genres will appeal to different audiences. Some people will hate thriller and horror movies because it scares them that means they wont want to go see the films that advertise themselves as them however they may prefer comedy and only watch films that are funny. It is not solely split into genre when it comes to films as it may either be a Childrens film or an Adults film.


* Director (Creator of the film) - The director will use a genre to follow its conventions, therefore the director knows what needs to be included in the film whether it be Shot variations or the general content of the film for example if its a Thriller it needs to be scary but not gory and horrific because then it would be a Horror instead of a thriller


* Scriptwriter (Person who comes up with new ideas for films) - A specific genre would follow a set of characteristic (conventions) of that genre therefore a scriptwriter will know what would have to be included in the film to make it for example a thriller. It will have to thrill people so the scriptwriter would have to write something with suspense and tension and it would also be easier to create characters for example if the film was a rom/com the scriptwriter would know that it needs two main characters of a boy and a girl ect.


* Marketer (Person who has to sell the film) - The genre will identify a target audience therefore it will be easier for the marketer how and where to advertise and what also would have to be advertised to initially entice its target audience.

The Disadvantages of Genre :

Genre within film and music restricts the producers to access a worldwide consumer base as each genre would appeal to a certain audience therefore target audiences as a Horror film wouldnt appeal to everyone especially not children. Genre creates specific conventions and if allot of conventions are broken then a film may not appear to be a certain genre as it may consits of a range of genre conventions therefore creating a hybrid genre this could be when a film is Horrific yet funny and maybe also sci-fi.

Genre : Comedy

Classic Comedy - Anchorman

Sub genre Comedy - Rom / com e.g. Love actually

Hybrid Comedy - rom / zombie (spoof horror / com e.g. Shaun of the Dead (Mainly Comic)

Comedy, when films where first invented mainly consisted of Sketches or simply funnyness however nowadays comedy can breach alot of insulting aspects weather it be religion, people or world events. Comedy in film can be portrayed in a range of different ways and if it appeals to its target audience it can be very funny.

genre: horror

Genre - the word genre derives from French and means 'type' or 'kind'. In a study of media texts it is used to divide texts into easily identifiable categories. It is a way of classifying media products according to the elements that they share.

All movies that are under the horror genre have to include the following conventions/ characteristics that class them under horror. firstly they are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience.