In order to prep us for our upcoming PB3, week 6’s lectorial focused on narrative. Narrative is a meta-code, a human universal on the basis of which transcultural messages about natures of a shared reality can be transmitted. It is a way of structuring meanings in the form of a story. It is inference of casual connections between events and refers to the way stories circulate widely within a culture and are seen as valid and predictable.
Key elements of narrative and story are:
- Controlling idea
- Character
- Conflict (competing goals)
- Structure (progression)
- Character change/growth
Story is ACTION, due to this a story must have a controlling idea – a point, something to say, something to prove/demonstrate. This ties in with this weeks reading by Michael Rabiger, in which he discusses how movement is essential in any film, in order for there to be substance. Furthermore, you have to prove your controlling idea by challenging it as contrast and conflict create drive.
Protagonist
- Doesn’t die
- Persons life whose life is made difficult
- Person who changes the most
Antagonist
- They do not need to be the protagonist’s enemy, but always cause change or trouble for them
- Wishes in opposition to the protagonist
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In terms of my PB3, I want there to be a significant arc in my piece. As it is about my sister there is a certain barrier that is already broken on the statute of limitations, there is already that comfortability. I have written draft questions which I believe cover a range of topics that I can discuss with her in terms of the main topic, her career, but also in order to add depth or a dramatic curve if you will, I want to ask her some questions relating more to life and what she has learned in her 27 years of life. Hopefully there is a successful arc!
