Representation

Representation

Narrative St

Narrative studies

Linear narrative

• Clear beginning, middle and end
• They follow a chronological time frame
• Action A leads to action B which leads to action C etc.

Fragmented Narrative - stranger things

• Fragmented narratives are also called non-linear, disrupted or disjointed narratives.
• They do not have a clear beginning, middle and end.
• Events or actions may be shown out of chronological order and not in the order they would naturally occur in, so C might happen before A for example.
• It is a narrative technique that can help to show parallel stories, a story within a story, dreams and so on within the same episode or serial.
• They are seen to more closely replicate the way the human mind works.

Enigma codes - Roland Barthes

• Planting questions in an episode
• Man in elevator is killed
• When we meet Eleven, where does she come from
• Social worker shooting,
• Will Nancy get with Jonathan

The events unfold in a chronological order but with a fragmented narrative due to the flashbacks

Dramatic Irony

Omnipresent Narrative

• A panoramic, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one characters point of view
•  Provides the point of view of many characters and their experience and feelings within the story
• Helps the audience see a broader background to the story from a number of contexts.

Closed endings

Open endings

• Cliff hanger
• Story-telling technique
• Continue watching
• Lftd shows continuation of story

Academic ideas about narrative

TODOROV: Equilibrium Theory

• Traditional narratives follow a 3 part structure of beginning middle and end which unfolds in a narrative arc of 4 phases:
•      1. Exposition 2. Introduction of conflict 3. Climax 4. Resolution
• The narrative is usually a chronological and linear sequence of themes, actions and motives
• Todorov identified that the 3 part structure has 5 stages:
• 1.  Narratives begin with a state of equilibrium
• 2. This equilibrium is usually disrupted by an event to create disequilibrium
• 3. There is then recognition of the disruption by the central character
• 4. The central character goes on a quest to overcome and restore the disruption
• 5. The quest is successful, there is a happy ending and a return to a (changed) normality or a new equilibrium.

Strauss - Binary Oppositions

• Strauss identified that we understand the world by the relationship that two opposites have together
• For example, we understand bad behaviour by knowing what good behaviour should be …
• He believed that narratives are arranged around the conflict of binary oppositions could include:
• Man vs women
• Good vs bad
• Day vs night
• Old vs new
• Right vs wrong
• Injustice vs justice
• Nerd vs bullies

Does the ‘conflict’ between the oppositions help to drive the narrative structure forward?

Characters

Episode walk through

Poster

LFTVD

Long for TV drama

- 2 questions: 30 and 15 marks-

- Stranger Things and Deutschland 83 (Same time periods) - 

- Series with a long narrative - 

- A TV drama that has a number of episodes that helps create a narrative and tell a story to an audience.

Network Television: (E.g. NBC, CBS)

• US network broadcasters must satisfy their advertisers and hold market share. They are also controlled by federal regulation.
• The impact of this on content is a reliance on highly formalised genre conventions and normative values which meet mainstream audience expectations but generate conservative drama. 

Cable Television: 

• Launched in the 1970s, HBO was the first US national subscription cable TV channel. 
• Other major US players include FX, Showtime, & AMC. Many are subsidiaries of media conglomerates (HBO/Warner, FX/Fox)
• These subscription based cable channels can take more risks with content and form. 
• By early 2000s The Sopranos and The Wire won awards, audiences and created 'water cooler' TV.  

UK TV Drama:

• UK broadcasters have failed to meet the challenge of the US cable channels move to long form with their risk - taking content and style. 
• BBC and ITV 90s > relied on genre-based, formula drama.
• Sky co-opted success of US long form with Sky Atlantic
• Commissioning remains tightly controlled with a conservative outlook

Subscription VOD (Viewing on demand)

• Content viewing via a TV still dominates in the UK.
• 3/4 UK households have PVR (Personal video recording) uptake but it has plateaued 
• Use of timeshift is increasing (You can watch whenever)
• Growth of SVOD (Streaming video on demand). Web based channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV is considerable. 
• Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market & 5 million subscribers. 10% growth 2015-16

Audiences:

• Rise in binge watching started with DVD in late 90s/early C21. Partially due to syndication problems in the UK.
• A move from 'Water cooler' to 'Shared universe' fandom (as with cinema)
• US long form drama often uses Easter eggs, and mid-season breaks to generate fan intensity and maintain a media profile. 

Why audiences love LFTVD:

• High quality drama
• Multiple episodes, hours, years
• Content can be dark and difficult but innovative 
• It now attracts some of the best and innovative writers and actors
• Time shifting, easily accessible 
• Keeps people invested
• Lots of creativity 
• Characters and themes change and develop
• Lots of different networks compete
• The show can cater to specific taste

'State of Nation' TV

• LFTVD challenged the simplistic story lines and stereotypical characters that dominate network TV in US.
• CULTURAL ZEITGEIST

- Genres: LFTVD can fit into any (E.g. Comedy, horror, thriller, mystery, drama, crime, etc.)

- Themes: Also can fit into any (E.g, Relationships, murder, power, war, coming of age, family, etc)

- Narratives: Can have vast variety of all different worlds which are completely different to normality

- Characters: Relatable and interesting to watch. Engaging so they are watched over long period

- Production Values: Good ones usually range from 4 million to 5 million per episode. 

- Methods/Platforms: Either on Terrestrial TV, Cable TV, Subscriptions, Streaming 

- State of Nation: Escapist for the viewers, not usual to their everyday life.

- Memes/Accessories: These can determine how popular the series is with the youth.

TV Dramas need:

• Various locations
• Stock characters - complex, able to follow for a long period of time. 
• Multiple narratives
• 1 hour episodes
• Dramatic cliff hangers - usually at end of season/mid season breaks
• High production values 

Stranger Things Intro

Overview

The series is set in 1983 surrounding the story of a group who kids searching for their missing friend. Along the way, they meet an unusual girl with supernatural powers. Throughout the series, they u unravel extraordinary mysteries surrounding their small town including government secrets, supernatural forces and Eleven, a girl with powers.

- The 1st season had 8 episodes, costing $6 million per episode.
- The show was created by the Duffer brothers (Twins). Ross and Matt (Born in the 90s)
- The show pays homage to E.T
- It debuted in July 2016
- represents 1980s nostalgia
- The shows resembles many other 80s films such as Gremlins, the Goonies, Ghostbuster etc.
- Winona Ryder, a famous 80s actress, plays Will's mother. This further links the show to the 80s
- The show increased in marketing through online buzz and fan artwork.
- It was also the little things in the background of scenes that referenced the 80s. E.g. Trapper Keeper
- When looking for a broadcaster/platform, the show was rejected by most mainstream.
- Netflix accepted as they were known as 'rebels' showing TV that was risky and different.
- The 1st series finished with unresolved issued meaning that they could be resolved in the 2nd series.
- Series 2 was set in 1984 and focused on the theme of video games whereas the first was boardgames
- The show references the work of Stephen Spielberg and Stephen King (Who liked the show)
- The show contained weaponized intertextuality due to fan service
- Stranger Things is a Pastiche (Opposite of parody)
- The character Eleven is compared to the characters E.T., Carrie and the girl from fire starter

ST Intertextuality