Theories

Narrative

The narrative theory that will be best applied to my film will be Todorovs. This
theory is the most applicable as my aim is for the plot to follow the three main
stages that Todorov believed to make a story, these include: the equilibrium,
disequilibrium followed by the new equilibrium.

The main reason this narrative structure is best suited for my film is due to the
genre. Most dramas follow a coherent/ chronological order allowing the
characters journey to be clear and to allow the audience to connect and
experience that journey simultaneously.

Propp

Propps theory covers the different character types which are found in all
narratives, these include: the hero, the villain, the helper, the princess, the
dispatcher, the donor and the false hero (these are the general characters their
roles are interpreted differently in different genres however the ideology is the
same).

There will be two main characters part of my trailer: the hero and the helper
(however, the role of the helper is only more developed towards the third stage of
the narrative the new equilibrium).

The dispatcher is portrayed as a bad character in the trailer whilst you dont
actually see the character, you hear his voice. The dispatcher in this film (different
to the typical dispatcher) is a bully, he is the force that sets the hero on her
quest to be perceived as beautiful.

Binary opposites

Levi Strausss binary opposites theory can be applied in a more complex way to
the more obvious way it is usually portrayed e.g. good character vs. bad character
/ good vs evil ext.

In my trailer this theory can be applied to the mind of the protagonist. Whilst she
is the good character she is also her worst enemy similar to the inside
monster theory. It is the working of her mind her anxieties and insecurities is
the personification of the bad (the binary opposite to her good nature).

Repetition and difference

Repetition and difference is a theory applied to specific films within genres what
do these films in order to make them the genre recognisable? And what
conventions do they manipulate in order to make the plot/film more unique?

I have mentioned in previous slides how other theories apply to my own trailer as
well as how Ive used them in a different way, making my trailer/ film unique
including:

The more subtle use of Levi-Strauss binary opposites and the differences in the
representation of youth.
I also plan to include some conventions used in psychological films in order to make
my own more impactful rather than solely using the drama genre.

Representation of youth

Youth as an empty category is a common theory used to represent teens in modern

films. This theory has been explored by Giroux (1997) and its a representation
constructed by adults and therefore can be seen as an unfair portrayal of teens.

The youth as an empty category theory portrays an adults anxieties and concerns of a
teenager. Due to this, teens most commonly portrayed (across the media / news/ TV
programmes and films) as destructive, rebellious and aggressive/ violent such ideologies
as portrayed in programmes such as Skins and films such as Harry Brown.
The aim of my film is for the audience to be sympathetic towards the protagonist (a teen).
Already a major difference to other films, especially horrors.
Creating a representation of youth from the perspective of a youth, can be seen to portray
a more accurate representation of the age group especially when dealing with the
themes that occur in my film (mental illnesses). Whilst the film isnt targeted for adults
specifically (as it would appear to be more of a documentary) adults can still watch it
and gain perspective of the overactive minds of teenagers in a modern British society
dealing with a lot of pressure, stress and anxiety and recognise the impacts and the depth
of this increasing problem.