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Sunday, 20 January 2013

Todorov's 5 Stages of Narrative Revisited

Back in June 2012 I made a blog post with slideshare about Tzvetan Todorov and his 5 stages of narrative which you can see here http://www.samsmediabloga2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/tzvetan-todorov-narrative-theory.html
I have decided to revisit his theory now that I have completed my short film to compare my own film and his theory. His theory is as follows:

Stage 1
A state of equilibrium (A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced) is defined.

Stage 2
Disruption to the equilibrium by some action or crisis.

Stage 3
The Character(s) recognise that there has been a disruption, setting goals to resolve the problem.

Stage 4
The Character(s) attempt to repair the disruption, obstacles need to be overcome to restore order.

Stage 5
Reinstatement to the equilibrium. Situation is resolved, a conclusion is announced.

I decided to make my film based around this theory however with a twist at the end. A few of the stages in my film also differ slightly. Below you can see the 5 stages of my own film as well as the 6th stage that I added in to subvert the theory and surprise the viewer.

Stage 1
Protagonist is playing the game in a state of equilibrium.

Stage 2
Antagonist approaches house, protagonist hears the gate opening and investigates.

Stage 3
Protagonist sees the antagonist, tries to run away to escape from him.

Stage 4
Protagonist is still trying to get away from antagonist.

Stage 5
Equilibrium is restored when we see protagonist back at his desk playing the game.

Stage 6 (Twist)
Just when you think the film is over (because the equilibrium has been restored) you see the antagonist outside the window.

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