Media Theory Application

Media Theory Application:

If I had to choose one media theory to apply to the film I would pick the Narrative Theory by Tzvetan Todorov as it would fit perfectly with our film opening.

Narrative Theory Rundown:

The Narrative Theory explains how stories are structured. Todorov's theory shows how stories often go from a calm start, through a problem, to a resolution that creates a new normal. Todorov also says that most stories follow five main steps:

• Equilibrium: Everything is normal and balanced at the start.
• Disruption: Something happens that disturbs this balance or normal life.
• Recognition: The characters realize that there is a problem that needs to be fixed.
• Attempt to Repair: The characters try to solve the problem and restore balance.
• New Equilibrium: The story ends with a new normal, which may differ from the beginning.

Integration of Narrative Theory into The Film Opening:

I think the Narrative theory will be a perfect fit for our film opening because the film opening will be structured like this:

• Equilibrium: Our protagonist will make their way to their graduation party normally.
• Disruption: All the congratulations make the protagonist overwhelmed and will starts to have a panic attack-like event which she storms out of the party and into the bathroom
• Recognition: After calming down in the bathroom our protagonist decides to look through old memories on their phone and realizes that the reason they are so stressed about this is because they are not ready to move on and leave their life behind and as they scroll they see how much fun they used to have with their friends.
• Attempt to Repair: The protagonist comes to the conclusion that meeting up with friends and going out again will solve all their problems. In an attempt to rekindle the excitement they once had they start to call friends to go out again.
• New Equilibrium: While the film opening won't fully establish a New Equilibrium, it hints at it by showing how after going out the protagonist feels much better and has come to their senses, and is ready to embrace the new life that awaits them.

Sources:

https://richardedcm2fmpblog.home.blog/2019/04/03/todorov-and-propps-narrative-theory/

https://selinaargyrou.wordpress.com/todorov-theory/

https://media-studies.com/todorov/