Narrative Harry Brown Wild Bill
Narrative • What does narrative mean?
What is narrative if film • String of events based on cause and effect. • The narrative is different to the plot in that it focuses on the construction of the plot
Narrative styles • Linear • Non-linear • Open • Closed • Think of examples of each. • Which narrative styles apply to Harry Brown and Wild Bill?
Pixar Pitch • Pixar story artist, Emma Coats argues that every Pixar film shares the same narrative DNA – a deep structure of storytelling that involves six sequential sentences: •
1. Once upon a time there was … 2. Every day … 3. One day … 4. Because of that … 5. Because of that … 6. Until finally …
Pixar pitch –Narrative style 1. Once upon a time there was … 2. Every day … 3. One day … 4. Because of that … 5. Because of that … 6. Until finally … •. Apply this narrative theory to Harry Brown
The Hero’s Journey - Vogler • 1.Ordinary World - The hero's normal world before the story begins • 2.Call to Adventure - The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure • 3.Refusal of the Call - The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually because he's scared • 4. Meeting with the Mentor - The hero meets a mentor to gain advice or training for the adventure • 5. Crossing the First Threshold - The hero crosses leaves the ordinary world and goes into the special world • 6. Tests, Allies, Enemies - The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the Special World.
The Hero’s Journey - Vogler • 7. Approach - The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to try a new idea • 8. Ordeal - The biggest life or death crisis • 9. Reward - The hero has survived death, overcomes his fear and now earns the reward • 10. The Road Back - The hero must return to the Ordinary World. • 11. Resurrection Hero - another test where the hero faces death – he has to use everything he's learned • 12. Return with Elixir - The hero returns from the journey with the “elixir”, and uses it to help everyone in the Ordinary World
Harry’s journey • How many steps of the Hero’s Journey can you you apply to Harry Brown?
The (shorter) Hero’s Journey • SO…the absolute bare minimum, Christopher Vogler would venture, is • 1. an implied Ordinary World, • 2. an efficient Call to Adventure, • 3. a distinct Threshold Crossing, • 4. a death-and-rebirth Ordeal(or Resurrection) and • 5. a Reward (or Return with the Elixir). • Now apply the shorter version of this theory to Harry Brown
Narrative Task 1. In pairs or three’s choose the clips of the scene from Harry Brown that apply to Vogler’s theory of The Heroes Journey. 2. Edit them together in Premiere 3. Add a title of which step of the theory is being shown 4. Then either write a full explanation of each step and addd to tumblr or record this and add to your video 5. Upload you your video to tumblr via YouTube
Narrative exam question • 11. How important is narrative structure in communicating the theme of ‘living with crime’ in the films you have studied for this topic? [40]
Wild Bill Narrative • Apply the Pixar pitch to Wild Bill (Fletcher 2011) 1.
Once upon a time there was … 2. Every day … 3. One day … 4. Because of that … 5. Because of that … 6. Until finally …
Todorov’s narrative theory
Equilibrium • An equal balance between opposing powers. A calm, balanced emotional state.
Todorov • Can you apply Todorov’s theory to the Narrative of Wild Bill?
Task • In Pairs apply one of the three narrative theories to Wild Bill • On Tumblr add a screen grab of each scene that shows the different stage of the narrative structure and add a detailed discription of the stage (narrative) and scene.
Question Plan • How is conflict made dramatic by the narrative structure of the films you have studied? • List key terms • Choose specific scenes • Watch two scenes and note the micro elements • Answer question using the information above