Propp's Narrative Theory

Narrative Theory

Study the Narrative theories of at least 4 people who have researched and written about the subject. 

A good place to start is the Russian Vladimir Propp;

He came to the conclusion that most narratives have 7 key characters that appear on a regular basis. 
Here they are;

The Seven Character Types of Vladimir Propp

1. The villain—struggles against the hero
2. The donor—prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object
3. The (magical) helper—helps the hero in the quest
4. The princess and her father—gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished
5. The dispatcher—character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.
6. The hero or victim/seeker hero—reacts to the donor, weds the princess
7. False hero—takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess.

Be mindful that not every narrative has all of these characters. 

Also remember that Propp was looking at folk tales and not films - so just be careful what you say!

OCR A Level Media Question 1B

For question 1b you will be asked to discuss a media "text" in relation to one of 5 areas of Media Studies. A "text" in this case means one of your media creations - your trailer, magazine or poster.

The 5 areas are; 

Narrative Theory

Audience Theory

Media Language - Codes and Conventions

Representation

Genre

Magazine Front Cover - some reminders.

Here is a good example of how Empire magazine lays out its front  cover. 

Notice that the main image is a front on shot that is a mid shot. 

The title of the magazine is partially hidden by the photo - this is a common code now. 

There is a date of issue, a bar code and a tag line for the magazine.

The main film is clearly highlighted but there are other films that are advertised too. The sticker type idea is also common to film magazine front covers. Be careful with this as they can look tacky if not executed well. Note that the colours of the fonts are reasonably limited - don't go too crazy on the colours!

Make sure that you use a very good camera with a good lens to make sure that the quality is as good as possible. 

As with the poster shots, take lots of photos so that you can choose the best one to use. 

Remember that you need to think about the consistency between this picture, the poster and the trailer itself. 

Photo Shoot for Poster

Here's an example of a film poster to remind you of the layout and the items to include;

Notice that it goes from a big bold image that fills the poster and that there is a tag line - in this case across the top. The title of the film is very prominent for obvious reasons as are the names of the main actors - the USP. Note too that there is a lot of "blurb" at the bottom and that it indicates a release date. 

Here is a landscape poster. Notice that the ingredients are still similar. A striking image, the title of the film, a tag line. Notice also that there is the same sort of blurb. This time the USP is the director as well as the actors. The poster immediately suggests an urban type film. Remember people will most likely see the poster as they go past a bill board or bus stop so it needs to tell you everything quickly and efficiently. 

Remember! When you take the photos for the poster;

1. Use a good camera - with a good lens.

2. Make sure the mis en scene fits the film footage you have already taken -shoot the photos in the same locations

3. Make sure the continuity is good. That means that the actors wear the same clothes, have the same make up and fit what you have done in the film footage. Consistency is the key. 

4. Think about the lighting

5. Take lots of photos from many different angles so that you have lots of choice when editing.

The Shooting Schedule

The Shooting Schedule should be a working document that shows how you are preparing to film your trailer. It should include at least this information;

1. The dates and times of the shoot.

2. The place to meet or location of the shoot.

3. The people needed - any clothes they need to wear and any props that will be needed. (Umbrella/phone/bag etc)

4. The scenes that will be being filmed.

This can be in the form of a table if that makes it clear.

You may need to add to your shooting schedule as time goes on if there are problems with the light, the weather or one of your characters is unable to be there at the last minute.

Story Board and Recce Templates

Here is a copy of the storyboard page for you to down load or print. If you scroll further down you can find a sheet to help you with your "Recce".

Remember your "recce" involves you going to the places both inside and outside where you intend to film. Whilst there, think about the issues you will face when filming. 

Is it too noisy? 

Will random people come into the shots? Is that ok? 

Will the weather affect the shoot? 

Do you need to go at a certain time of day in order to get the lighting you require?

Remember that the clocks change in November and so there is less daylight time.

Is it a place where your actors will be able to get to easily?

Is it a safe place to film - make sure that there are safe places to film from if you are by roads for example.

Lego Men! Camera angles and types of shot.

The following Lego men shots will help you when you are doing your Story Board. think carefully bout the shots you want for your trailer. Make sure to vary the types of shot to create interest for the viewer.

The Script

Remember that when you write a script it should be in 12 point Courier font.

This is the Industry standard way of producing a script.











Notice that the descriptions are in the present tense.

The (VO) means that there is a voice over for that section.

Pre Production Tasks

Pre production

What else is there to do?

1. You need to complete a proposal - a short summary of the film that you are going to create.
2. Now do some audience research and see what other people think about your idea - remember they need to be people in your target audience. You need to respond to your audience feedback by either amending your story or stating how popular the idea was.
3. Now you need to do 4 pieces of pre-production

• the recce
• the script
• the storyboard
• shooting schedule

A recce - where you go to all of your locations,take a photo and write down the problems you might encounter there - noise,traffic, people etc and then write down how you could get around these problems.

The script - includes the dialogue and the voice over as well as information about who comes in and exits etc

The story board is a picture version of your trailer with the sort of camera shots that you intend to take.

The shooting schedule is simply the times, dates, places, actors and costumes that you organise to take the different parts of the trailer.

More information and blank forms can be found at Public/Media Studies/Y13/Unit 3

Magazine Front Covers  - Codes and Conventions

 The title or Mast Head is always across the top of the magazine. It is often partially covered by the main picture and in particular by the main actor or actors.
As in this edition, the colour scheme of the fonts is directly linked to the photo from the film.
Above the masthead there is usually a leading line that introduces either the film or a special feature of that magazine.
Notice the use of what looks like a sticker on the right hand side. Again this matches the overall colour scheme but it often advertises something else in the magazine - in this case another film.
The bar code always features somewhere but it is moved around each week or month to suit the editor.
Empire magazine always tuck the date and price into the M of Empire.

Notice how many similarities there are between the 2 issues of Empire. Although the features are moved about, it contains the same elements.
There are similarities as well between different magazines - have a look at the front of Total Film here.

Like the Empire front cover, the title of the magazine is obscured by the actors. Again there is a leading tag line across the top of the magazine and some information about the featured film. Notice how this magazine has much more information about the overall contents of the issue.
The date and price are tucked neatly into the M of FILM.
Total film also uses a film strip approach to advertising other films across the top of the magazine. This feature is used by Empire on occasions too.
The circle of stars is like a sticker - again advertising another feature inside the mag.
Notice that, as with Empire, the colour scheme of the fonts is well controlled with a limited number of colours. The steel colour of course to match the title of the featured film.
The following image gives us an insight into how the magazine would be edited together. This might help you as you approach a similar task later.