WHAT IS STORYTELLING
There are many theory about storytelling which is the Narrative Theory. According to Fisher, 1984, storytelling is one of the most universal and oldest method of communication.
There are many researchers analyze on this theory but there are some majors researchers as showing below
THE TODOROV's NARRATIVE THEORY Media-Studies (2022)
The Narrative Theory developed by Tzvetan Todorov (1960) stated that in a story, there is always a "balance" at the beginning (the equilibrium), where everything is in balance. A "disruption" would then appear and create a disequilibrium in the story. Next, an event would take place in order to "repair" the story, and create a new equilibrium.
THE BARTHES's NARRATIVE THEORY Media-Studies (no date)
Barthes suggests that with the narrative, there are 5 codes in total.
Hermeneutic code (enigma code):
Enigma codes are puzzles that exist in the movie plot. These little puzzles would keep the audiences entertained and interested in the movie as the story goes on, more hints are given to viewers so that they are gaining pleasure and excitement while solving the puzzle.
Proairetic Codes (action code):
This code presents major "actions" that are important in the development of the story. This action is caused by a previous action and introduces another new action/problems
Semantic codes:
This code suggests that all texts in media products have a burden of meaning behind them in addition to the original meaning. For example, you always saw spiderman as someone who meets a lot of challenges during his life, the originated of spiderman is from a normal family, showing that whoever he is, he is still a normal person.
Symbolic code:
Somehow when we watch a movie, the one shown in a bright, warm, and cozy color is always the character on the good side whereas those shown in a dark, mysterious color, are usually on the bad side. This is how the symbolic code work. It is oppositional between semantic codes that create the symbolic code. (the anthesis)
Cultural code:
Sometimes, the background of some texts in a media product is not explained/included in that product. So in order for the audience to fully decode it, they may need to have that "background" in their knowledge. The cultural code refers to historical, social, psychological, or literary knowledge that is usually being referenced.
Syd Field's narrative theory (Maio, 2020)
According to Syd Field, a movie in Hollywood is usually divided into 3 parts.
Act 1: The Setup
The first 10 minutes of a movie are very important. If they like it in the first 10 mins they are unlikely to change their minds later. This is the part where the setup, the protagonist, the genre, the mood of the movie, and why they should care about the character. In the next 20 minutes of the movie, there should be a major event/problem occurring with the main character.
Act 2: The confrontation
This is where the protagonist is facing a more extreme problem, that may bring hopelessness to the character.
Act 3: The Resolution
The Hero (main character) defeats the oppositional forces.
REFERENCE LIST:
Maio, A. (2020) The Three Act Structure: No Formulas needed, StudioBinder. Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/three-act-structure/ (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
Media-Studies (2022) Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium and disruption, Media Studies. Available at: https://media-studies.com/todorov/ (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
Media-Studies (no date) Roland Barthes' 5 narrative codes: Media Studies theory, Media Studies. Available at: https://media-studies.com/barthes-codes/ (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
Stafford , A. (no date) Considering Barthes's analysis of how we create a world of meaning, and how it creates US, TLS. Available at: https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/roland-barthes-footnotes-to-plato/ (Accessed: April 24, 2023).
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