Narratives

A narrative is the movies story. There are all kinds of narratives. Theres the linear narative which tell the story from start all the way till the problem is resolved. There is also fractured narrative which is when the story jumps back and forth in time e.g. starting of with a man who then shows his childhood and then jumps fourth and back. You can use flashbacks, voiceovers, multiple perspectives, happy endings. We need narratives to make sense of things, connecting events and making interpretations based on those connections. We contrsuct meaning using our experience of reality and of previous text. When we look at narratives, we examine the conventions of gender, character, form and time and use our knowledge of these conventions to help us interpret the text.

Here are some basic narrative structures that are used in many productions:

Beginning ---> Middle ---> End
Exposition ---> Problem ---> Climax ---> Resolution
A Narrative is needed for humans to make sense of a production (e.g. a film) as we connect events and make interpretations. Narrative's consist of a beginning, middle and end. Todorov's theorey of narrative is made up of 5 stages. These 5 stages are:
1. Equilibrium
2. Disruption
3. Recognition
4. Attempts to repair
5. New equilibrium

Because his theory was thought of in the 20th century, it will be very tedious if every film was to use this structure of narration. Therefore, directors have attempted to rearranged the structure in order to fulfill the wants and needs of the audience.

There are also structuralists, for example, Roland Barthes, who uses narrative codes. This narrative teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved. Narrative codes can be categorised in the following ways:

• engima code
• symbols and signs
• points of culture reference
• simple description/reproduction

Claude Levi-Strauss was a literary theorist who developed ways of deconstructing narratives. He believed constand  creation of conflict propels narrative. Narratives can only end on a resolution of conflict . The opposition can be visual  or conceptual  and to do with soundtrack (binary opposition; theory of meaning that can be used to look at some of the cultural beliefs built into texts e.g. good vs evil.)

Enemy of the state - Tension editing

1. What is the point of this sequence? Describe briefly how tension is created through the editing.
    The main point of this sequence is to create tension in this part of the film. It is done effectively to create the connection between the two men in the warehouse and the men outside. There is more than one close up of the men holding a gun, which also adds to the tension and makes the viewers want to know what will happen. The quick cuts from one setting to another (the two men in doors and the men outside) also creates tension which is down to the editing.

2. Look at the use of CU or Medium CU. Why are they primarily used here? Refer to specific shots (screengrab them) and embed them within your post.
The close ups and medium close ups are primarily used to show the facial reactions of the characters and how they are feeling in terms of their emotions. The effectiveness of this shot is the fact that the camera is filming behind the rail, which creates the effect of privacy and makes the audience feel as though they are peeping through a prohibitted area. Likewise the lighting and the overall darkness of this shot adds to this idea and conveys a sense of cynicism. The facial expressions of the man further portrays the seriousness of the scene. It is also important to notice the position of the light source in the background which clearly appears against the dominant dark background creating a contrast that supplements the mysterious aura created.
3. Choose 15-20 seconds from anywhere in the sequence and describe each shot in detail, explaining its effect / function for the audience, as well as commenting on how the cuts (the editing) add to the meaning.
There is a high angle shot of the two men outside walking towards the stairs, wearing dark clothing and looking ambiguous. The men are in possession of suitcases which look out of place for the scene and instantly makes the audience think there is something both suspicious and unusual about the presence of these men. This begins the feeling of suspense. This scene is directly followed by a close up of the older man seated indoors, in the middle of speaking hesitantly whilst turning his head back to communicate making the audience anticipate that the men outside may be out to get the men inside. The effect of this scene is the difference in motion, for example the fast paced moving men outside compared to the men that appear unaware and unprepared about the outside leading the audience to feel almost sympathetic about these men. When filming the men inside, the camera positioning is behind a fence, possibly to mark the idea that the audeince are intruding someones territory. This is compounded by the dim lit room, connotating privacy and secrecy. Alternatively the effect of this shot could be to imply that the men are being watched as targets and are ultimately trapped indoors, which coresponds with the previous scene of the men outdoors suspiciously breaking indoors. After this shot, there is a close up of Will Smith, with a number of wires and cables between Will and the camera. Similar to the fence before the old man, the wires in front of Will are used as obstacles that give the audience a sense of eavesdropping and peeping into a confidential encounter. The subsequent switching of shots between Will and the old man in addition to their troubled, anxious expressions clearly denotes that the two are deeply conversing. The next shot is a clear medium shot of the two taken from a different angle (from their side) without the fence and cables blocking the shot. Apart from the lamp in the background, there is minimal lighting on the two which prevents the audience from clearly viewing their expressions, particulalry their eyes adding to the thriller and ambiguity sensation. The following shot is returned to the close up of the older man behind a fence; he appears concerned and serious whilst talking as he constantly turns back to face Will. A quick cut to an extreme close up of the older man pressing a button on the computer is followed by another close up of Will Smiths facial expressions which is in direct keeping with the content of the mans worrying talk. Therefore the audience may grasp the idea that the older man is informing Will of a part perplexing, part problematic issue that Will is unaware of and this is self-evident from their facial gazes and Wills bewildered expressions. The use of having the extreme close up of the computer button may be to remind the audience that the old man is doing something important on the computer that we as the audience are unsure of and within the context of this private scene, makes us curious to find out what he's so hastily occupied with on the computer. The shot of Will is the same as the previous shot of him blocked by the cables adding to the meaning of the sequence. The camera then cuts back to the scene with the men outside running towards a building. This continues to build up suspense and tension as we wonder what they are
4. How far does the editing of this sequence fit in with the genre of the thriller? Justify your opinion.
The editing of this sequence fits in rather well with the thriller genre because of the soundtrack in the scene of the men outside. The tone of voice also helps as it does not sound excited and is a sort of serious tone of voice. Also the editing from one setting/scenario to another also adds to the thriller effect. Overall, the editing of this sequence fits in well with the thriller genre of the film.

Past Students Openings

This clip is a very effective thriller opening. The strength's of this clip include the eiry music in the background as well as the dark atmosphere in the flashbacks. The main character's tone of voice also helps in creating the thriller genre as you can her the fear in her voice, which has an impact on the viewers. Also, the recording frame and the typing when the credits are shown adds to the effect of her being questioned or being in some sort of interview at a police station. However, the slow pace of the opening may not catch the audiences attention which can be a weaknesses of the clip.




This clip is another opening of a thriller film. This is also a very good opening because of many reasons. One reason is due to the music in the background which goes with the thriller genre and the house being shown at the same time. The house seems haunted because of the dead tree's around and the shots taken to add to the effect. Furthermore, there is also dead flies which may indicate that the hosue has not been in use for a long time. The sounds of the door being slammed shut is also a strength which creates the tension because you cannot see who is closing the doors. The weaknesses of the clip are that the slow moving pace may not grab the attention of the audience which is similar to the clip above.