Narrative theories and example of narrative music video

Narrative is the way a story is told so that the elements are structured in such a way that makes sense to the audience.

1. Todorov stated that narrative is structured into five different stages:
-  Equilibrium
-  Disequilibrium
-  Recognition
-  Reparation
-  New Equilibrium

For example; Jack and the Beanstalk story,
-  Jack and his mother are living happily (Equilibrium)
-  They are forced to sell their family cow which Jack sells for five magic beans (Disequilibrium)
-  Jack knows that he has done wrong but decides to see what is up at the top of the giant beanstalk (Recognition)
-  Jack takes the gold coins from the ogre and manages to defeat him by cutting down the beanstalk (Reparation)
-  Jack and his mother are now rich and live happily ever after (New Equilibrium)

2. Propp stated that narrative is motivated by a variety of character functions; there will be a hero who is sent on a quest by the sender. The hero has to overcome the villain usually with the aid of a helper and in doing so gains a reward, often a princess.

For example; Shrek film,
Shrek (Hero) is sent on a quest by the King (Sender) to overcome the dragon (Villain) with the aid of Donkey (Helper) and gains the Princess (Reward).

3. Levi Strauss stated that narrative is motivated by a clear struggle between Binary Opposites, one side which will be represented as the 'right' side which the audience should identify with.

For example; Any superhero films like Batman, Spiderman etc. These Heroes are always shown in a favourable light e.g. low camera angles, close ups and longer shots of them to make the audience support them.

Then one side which will be presented negatively.

Example of Narrative music video- Enrique Iglesias- Hero:

Todorov:

-  Equilibrium: Iglesias and Jennifer Love Hewitt are happily together. The camera uses close ups of both stars. The settings are open, sunny and peaceful looking; which connotes everything is as it seems and undisturbed between the two of them.

-  Disequilibrium: Their car breaks down and they are attacked by a group of men. Suddenly the two of them seem trapped. The lighting is darker and more foreboding whilst the two heroes are also shot from further away and the camera chooses to frame the lower half of their bodies rather than their faces connoting that something bad will happen to them as it draws the audience to feel less emotionally connected with them.

- Recognition: Iglesias knows that the gang will not let them go. The recognition stage is shown with the return to close ups of both the heroes and villains which allows the audience to see the full extent of the conversation and Iglesias discovery.

- Reparation: He decides to fight against them. At this stage the camera zooms in to Iglesias's face and of Jennifer's reaction. It also zooms out from the close ups of the villains face which connotes their evilness and with the heroes wearing white connotes their purity and innocence. 

- New Equilibrium: Iglesias dies but he knows that Jennifer Love. Hewitt is safe from harm. This stage is signified by the dark surroundings and rain which symbolises that a new equilibrium has not been reached as the hero dies.

Propp & Levi Strauss:

- Enrique Iglesias (Hero) is sent on a quest to overcome the evil gang of thugs (Villain) with the aid of Jennifer Love Hewitt(Helper) for the gift of Jennifer (Reward).

- Enrique is clearly shown as the hero in this music video through the close up shots of his face or body. This allows the audience to gain a more personal connection with them so that they in turn will feel what he is feeling. This therefore allows the audience to empathy with him as a person and treat him almost like one of their own. The audience will furthermore care what happens to him. When the camera is on Iglesias he is usually shot in the centre if the frame. This further demonstrates his importance to the narrative and that the audience should concentrate more on him, feeling more empathy. The mise en scene also suggests this hero like status. There is usually bright light on or around him, connoting an angelic and innocence.

- On the other hand, the gang is clearly shown to be the villains in the music video. They are usually shot from slightly below, which whilst connotes dominance also make them less appealing to the audience as the audience would feel that the gang would believe that they were above the audience. Also there are no close ups of the gang and during any shot there is always at least two or three of them in the frame at any one time, connoting their unimportance to the video and that the audience should feel no connection with them. The darkness of all their clothes also indicate evilness as well.

- Jennifer Love Hewitt is also wearing white which connotes her purity. Something that also tells the audience that she is the hero's reward as usually the rewards for hero's are innocent and pure. This is also emphasised with the amount of light on or around her giving her an angelic quality and allowing the audience to empathise with her.