Narrative and story research.

I began to research the basics and found out that a story is the actual sequence of events, it is the plot and that the plot is the events directly included in the action of the text, and the order in which they are presented. The narrative is the chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in time.

I then researched further into the narrative structure: Linear  is the basic structure of a beginning (introduction to characters and story) → a middle (events happen- story builds) → and the end. An Open structure is when the audience is left to wonder what happen next- and this makes them use their own initiative.  A Closed structure on the other hand,  has a clear ending and conclusion- this kind of narrative is much more straightforward and would be interpreted in a limited number of ways. And finally, a Circular structure is a narrative which begins at the end events and takes the audience on a journey back through the narrative back to where they started again, at the end. For example:  pulp fiction.

My research continued when I found out about narrative range: The first type, Unrestricted narration, is a narrative which has no limits to the information that is presented, and the second type, Restricted narration, is a narrative which only offers minimal information regarding the narrative.

Additionally, I researched into narrative depth and found out that Subjective character identification is when the audience is given unique access to what a range of characters do and see. Objective character identification is when the audience is given unique access to a character's point of view such as seeing things from the character's mind eg- dreams, memories, visions.

I then researched deeper into the narrative theory and looked at Todorov and Strauss.Todorov suggested that most narratives start with a state of 'equilibrium' in which the protagonist is happy. This is then disrupted and then equilibrium is restored: equilibrium→ disequilibrium→ new equilibrium

·         Equilibrium sets the scene of everyday life

·         Disruption (complication) something happens to alter Equilibrium

·         Conflict: (climax) trying to solve the problem (seek resolution)

·         Resolution: problem is sorted

·         New equilibrium: (satisfactory end) back to normal (but never the same) a new normal.

Levi Strauss on the other hand, described narrative as created by a conflict of binary opposites

·         Love/hate

·         Peace/war

·         Rich/poverty

·         Man/alien

·         Strong/weak

·         Light/dark

·         Good/evil

Chosen brief: short film.

Through my research of looking into the different briefs, I have decided that I will be creating a short film. My reason for this is because I feel passionate about creating a narrative where symbolism and structuralism convey certain messages of a film. Even though I feel this is challenging, (as the amount of footage is long- 5 minutes) I am intrigued into what I am going to create by bringing in my interests. In order to successfully grasp the understanding of short film however, I will need to research in dept what exactly it is. So far I understand that short films include a sense of ambiguity and this inspires me.

Work I like.

Noah and the Whale | Blue Skies (music video)

Director: Charlie Fink

Producer: Tomboy Films

alt-J (∆) | Breezeblocks (music video)

Directed by Ellis Bahl

Father and Daughter (short film)

Director by Michaël Dudok De Wit

Short film research.

Codes and conventions of short films tend to have only 2-3 characters so viewers can relate to the characters in a short time, and a twist to maintain interest. Short films should last for about 5 minutes. BBC believes that short films should have an exciting and original idea, a strong script, good acting, strong beginning and twists. Here are some examples:

Advertising research.

TV adverts

• Demo: demo adverts is where the audience is shown how to use a product

• Spokesperson Presentation:  This type of advert often involves a celebrity using their actual identity to advertise a product or service.

• Narrative adverts Volkswagen's new TV ad for the Polo portrays the evolving relationship of a protective father and his daughter, from the moment he first brings her home from the hospital to the day she finally leaves home, when he hands her the keys to a shiny new Polo, ensuring she "stays in safe hands".

Sponsorship Sequence

Even though this is the full version, sponsorship ads are long for the opening/ending of the TV programme and shorter during the programme. These type of adverts depend on the TV show, for example this perfume ad sponsors New Girl as the target audience is for females.

Radio advert

This type of advert is entirely dependant on sound. The audience has to be immediately engaged 

Music video research.

A music video is defined as a videotaped performance of a recorded song, usually accompanied by dancing and visual images to interpret the lyrics of the song. There are three different types of music videos which are done through performance, narrative and concept.

1. Performance Based
This type of music video is when the band or artist performs their song to the camera which can either be filmed in a room or at a concert. Additional footage can be added to make the music video more interesting which can be done through a change of setting or additional images. Here is an example:

2. Narrative Based

This type of music video focuses on a storyline throughout which often correlates to the lyrics of the song. In other cases however, some videos follow a different narrative to what the lyrics actual mean. Nevertheless, narrative based music videos tend to include a storyline with actors and actresses to fit the meaning. An example of this is Noah and the Whale's 'Our Window'.

3. Concept Based

This type of music video on the other hand follows no storyline, but instead occasionally follows a theme. This way of portraying a certain song is seen as unusual as it usually adopts a particular editing and filming style. Due to this, this technique of music video isn't seen much as it can be challenging.

Introduction to briefs.

Assessment Objectives

-AO3: your ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills

-AO2: your application of knowledge and understanding in evaluating your own work, showing how meaning and responses are created

-AO4: your ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research

Brief one: a promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music video, no longer than five minutes duration, together with:

• a cover for its release as part of a digipack (CD/DVD package)
• a magazine advertisement for the digipack (CD/DVD package)

Brief three: an advertising package for a new product or service, to include two TV advertisements, together with

• a TV programme sponsorship sequence
• a radio advertisement

Brief ten: a short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:

• a poster for the film
• a film magazine review page featuring the film