Todorovs 'Extended' Narrative Theory

Todorov later revamped his theory:

1. Exposition - Beginning where background information is revealed and characters are introduced
2. Development - A situation arises
3. Complication - Main event and action takes place
4. Climax - A final confrontation
5. Resolution - Where equilibrium is restored

Todorovs Basic Narrative Theory

Todorov came up with theory of conventional narratives that can be applied to nearly every film. He stated that a film would start in a state of equilibrium where everything is balanced and normal however , this equilibrium is then disrupted by an agent of change. This agent of change then leads to a final resolution where everything is then fixed and we return to a new equilibrium.

Propps Character Theory

Propp identified a group of characters that were present in fairy tales and used to move a story forward. Rather than representing each character individually as their own person Propp, emphasised looking at characters and how their role was significant in moving the narrative forward. These characters included:

1. The Villain
2. The Hero
3. The Donor
4. The Helper
5. The Princess
6. The Princess Father
7. The Dispatcher
8. The False Hero

Conventions of Horror Films

In many horror films there are typical conventions that you expect to see as the audience when you go to the cinema to watch a horror. Some of these conventions are:
Characters - The typical innocent girl. most of the time horrors are also centred around a/group of teenagers, victims end up becoming heroes and the obvious villain/monster.
Mise en Scene - An isolated setting where people are not around, often set in the dark, contrast of lighting
Icons - Usual icons associated with horrors are masks, blood and gore, weapons for example knives, shadows, darkness.
Music & Sound - Digetic and non digetic sounds these include heartbeats, footsteps, eery/murky music.
Camera Work/Editing - Lots of POV shots, fast cuts and cross cuttings.

Steve Neal on Genre

"Genres do not consist only of films; they consist also, and equally of specific systems of expectation and hypothesis which spectators bring with them to the cinema, and which interact witht he films themselves during the course of the viewing process. These systems provide spectators with the means of recognition and understanding".

Nosferatu

In our first lesson we discussed and analysed conventions of horror films. Nosferatu was a great place to start because really it was the first recognised horror film.  Music was used to create and build suspense throughout the film. The music used was purposefully murky to try and scare the audience. This type of music is still used today in horror films and considering that Nosferatu was the first ever horror film shows the importance and impact that music has on an audience in horror films.