Narrative - Theory & Animation

Definition;

Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure where they begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored.

These are the steps for all traditional stories: 1. Equilibrium (everything is as it should be); 2. Disruption (by an event); 3. Recognition of disruption; 4. Attempts to repair disruption; 5. Return to equilibrium;

Objective: Understand the difference between story and plot and how to apply narrative theory. Story; A series of events happening in their chronological order. Plot; A series of events deliberately arranged by the director as to reveal their dramatic, thematic and emotional significance. Todorov's Narrative Theory Practice Task

Task 1 Crime conceived - A person decides to commit a crime Crime planned - The person plans out crime Crime committed Crime discovered Detective investigates Detective reveals A crime is committed. The crime is discovered and a detective investigates the crime and reveals the person who conceived, planned and committed the crime.

Narrative Structure

Mad Max Fury Road Initial Situation Furiosa helps the wives escape the Citadel.

Disruption Immortan Joe goes after Furiosa, trying to kill her and take the wives back.

Resolution Furiosa kills Immortan Joe with the help of Max and the wives and even though they go back to the Citadel, with Immortan Joe dead, they are in a sense free.

5 Stages 1. Immortan Joe sees Furiosa off on a fuel run to Gas Town as one of his Imperators. 2. Splendid shows herself from the Wives' hiding place in Furiosa's truck. 3. Immortan Joe finds out that the wives are missing. 4. Immortan Joe assembles his soldiers and leaves the Citadel to hunt down Furiosa and retrieve the Wives. 5. Furiosa and the Wives kill Immortan Joe and go back to the Citadel. Without the conflict (Furiosa stealing the wives) the story would not move forward because they are the key factors in the story.

Die Hard Initial situation The building where McClane and his wife are attending an event gets attacked by terrorists. Disruption McClane kills Hans Gruber, the one responsible for the initial attack.

Resolution McClane and Holly are escorted out of the building and they drive away together.

Guardians of the Galaxy Initial situation Groot, Rocket and Gamora attack Peter Quill to steal the Infinite Stone from him and they all get sent in prison.

Disruption They all escape from prison thanks to Rocket Racoon to stop blue guy from destroying a planet.

Resolution The fight blue guy and save the planet by taking back the Infinite Stone from him.

5 Stages 1. Peter is stealing the Infinite Stone, his job is that of a treasure hunter. 2. Groot, Rocket Racoon and Gamora try to steal the Infinite Stole, each with their own reasoning. 3. Ronan gets the stone and they escape the prison to retrieve it. 4. They fight Ronan for the Infinite Stone.

5. They retrieve the Infinite Stone and take it with them for safekeeping.

Disney is well known to use Todorov’s theory in their films and animations. Todorov’s theory is the classic, Hollywood narrative; the story starts with an equilibrium, something goes wrong, disequilibrium is created, and a new equilibrium is created in the end. [1]

Animation Planning

1. Equilibrium (everything is as it should be); - A little girl walking in the forest 2. Disruption (by an event); - A lighting, it starts raining 3. Recognition of disruption; - Girl looks up at the sky, her clothing is getting soaked 4. Attempts to repair disruption; - She tries to hide under a tree 5. Return to equilibrium; - She uses a giant leaf as an umbrella