The uses and gratifications Theory

What is Narrative?

The story/plot of the film









Types of TV Crime Dramas

Here is a list of different types of narrative structure within TV Drama with examples:

• Singles Drama/Film: Eric and Ernie
• Soap (continuing drama): Coronation Street
• Serial: BleakHouse
• Anthology series (self-contained episodes, each based on different characters): Heroes 
• Long form series drama: Lost 
• Long form series drama with some narrative experimentation: 24

Continuity Editing: An editing style that aims to present the text n a chronological manner and the reason it does that is to emphasise the real time movement of the narrative and to create a sense of realism for the viewer by giving the impression of continuous filming. Continuity editing creates a narrative that suggests a real experience of moving through time, even though screen time usually covers a much longer period. Audiences feel comfortable with a linear progression that reflects their everyday experience.

Linear Narrative: A sequential narrative with a beginning, a middle and an end in that order. Linear narratives provide a straightforward, sequential representation of events leading to a single resolution. As such easily, accessible to audiences and are the dominant form in mainstream media representations.

Todorov Theory

5 different stages!

1. A state of equilibrium
2. A disruption to the equilibrium
3. Recognition that the disorder has occurred
4. Attempt to repair the damage
5. Return to a new equilibrium

Cinderella
Todorov Theory

Equilibrium
1. Cinderella is living with her dad.
Disruption to equilibrium 
2. Dad dies.   Step mom + ugly step sisters move in. They are horrible to Cinderella.
Recognition 
3. She is treated like a slave, recognises her life is now awful.
Attempt to repair
4. Fairy godmother tries to help her. She meets Prince Charming, who falls in love with her, she loses her glass slipper. 
Return to equilibrium 
5. She falls in love, she leaves those who kept her captive, lives happily ever after.


The avengers
Todorov Theory


Equilibrium
1. Everything is balanced when they are fencing and they are happy.
Disruption to equilibrium
2. They find out the spies have gone missing.
Recognition 
3. They find out the people running the school are russian spies
Attempt to repair
4. They try to take out the russian spies
Return to equilibrium 
5. Completed mission - Steed and Peel ride off on the motorcycle for their next mission



Strauss Theory

Binary oppositions = a conflict

A couple wake up and go downstairs to breakfast. They do not realise that they are being watched by terrorists. Whilst their sitting at the table wearing their pyjamas, a brick gets thrown threw their window, shattering it to pieces, gun shots come out of nowhere aiming for the couple. They duck and call the police however the gunshots stop just before they do. They stand up and see the terrorists are dead, a gang attacked them and killed them all . The couple thank the gang, go upstairs and start getting dressed for work. The police came and arrested them.


PA by: Ellie
WWW: You clearly used the Todorov Theory.
EBI: Try and stick to using the same tense throughout.