Media Theory- Narrative

Narrative Theory in Film.

Narrative is the term used in Media Studies to describe the way in which a story is presented to an audience. For the most part different genres of film have the same narrative codes and conventions, however there are some that may be slightly different. Narrative is important as it gives the audience an engaging and enjoyable story.

There is usually a set structure when it comes to narrative, which could be applied to most media texts, but mainly film. Todorov's Narrative Theory is a great example: 

Equilibrium

Disruption of equilibrium

Recognition of disruption

Attempt to repair disruption

New equilibrium

Another good theorist for film narrative is French semiologist Roland Barthes. Barthes stated that narrative should use five different codes in order to remain appealing to the audience:

Action

Enigma

Symbolic

Semiotic 

Cultural

Binary opposition is another huge factor in media. It is putting two completely opposite factors together and set off against each other. Some examples are: Strong vs weak, old vs young, day vs night, big vs small, hero vs villain etc.