Film narrative

7 STORIES ACHILLES ORPHEUS CINDERELLA ROMEO AND JULIET FAUST CIRCE TRISTAN

Link the story with the film 7 Stories Link the story with the film

Propp Character roles Princess - something that needs rescuing Villain - takes the princess Hero - rescues the princess Helper - helps the hero Dispatcher - send the hero on his/her way Donor - someone with the magic properties or secret that helps the hero rescue the princess

Find the roles in the film James Bond Find the roles in the film

Todorov Stages of a Narrative 1. Equilibrium - everything in order 2. Disruption - something breaks the order 3. Recognition - someone realises the order is broken 4. Attempt to repair the damage 5. New equilibrium - order is restored

Find the structure in the trailer Ransom Find the structure in the trailer

Nicole Kidman What she means is manipulated by the use of signs

Semiotic Analysis of Nicole Kidman Look at the ICONIC sign Decode the SYMBOLIC sign

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

This is your sign What does it mean?

We know very well that we must learn to read before we can attempt to enjoy or understand literature, but we tend to believe, mistakenly, that anyone can read a film James Monaco

Each frame includes a potentially infinite amount of visual information James Monaco

5 channels of information in audio-visual media: 2. Print 3. Speech 4. Music 5. Sound effects

5 channels of information in audio-visual media: 2. Print

balance shape form space lighting colour movement tension expression proximity distance focus angle edit cuts

Camera Angle Denotation Possible Connotation Low Person/object has power Straight Person/object is equal to audience High Person/object is weak

Camera Distance Denotation Possible Connotation Long Shot Loneliness Medium Shot Movement important Close-up Emotions important Extreme close-up Extreme emotion Point-of-View Audience in mind of person

Camera Movement Denotation Possible Connotation Pan Objects - many; People - each important Zoom Object is most important Track Audience moving with person/object Tilt Size of object/person important Hand-Held Confusion, panic

Body Language Denotation Connotation Hands: Fist Anger Eyes: to the side Untrustworthy Mouth: smile Happy

Mise-en-scene

Assignment A WOMAN MEETS A MAN. SHE KILLS HIM AND LEAVES THE SCENE RAPIDLY. HER ACTIONS HAVE BEEN WITNESSED.

In groups 1. Camera operator 1. Female killer 1. Male victim 1 witness 1 director Prop makers All to decide on: Why she killed him How she killed him Who witnessed