Narrative Structure

Narrative Structure 

Narrative

• A story is all the events surrounding a group of characters in a place at a certain time
• A narrative is the selected way of telling the story - does it have conventions (rules), does it have a beginning middle and end, what characters are there?
• Types of TV Drama's:
• Single Drama/Film
• Soap: (continuing drama): Eastenders, massive cast
• Serial: (Runs in seasons/series), new story every episode: The Simpsons
• Anthology Series: (Self-contained episodes, each based on different characters): Black Mirror
• Long form series: comes in series, different series but same story through episodes : Scream Queens
• Long form series drama with some form of narrative experimentation: Purge lasts for 12 hours so there is 12 episodes each a hour long

• Linear Narrative - a sequential narrative with a begging a middle and a end. Linear narratives provide a straightforward, sequential representation of events leading to a single  resolution. As such, easily accessible to audiences and are the dominant form in mainstream media representations. 
• A equilibrium means everything is balanced and equal.   
• Red riding hood example- 
• 1- A state of equilibrium when she goes collects food for her grandma. 
• 2- A disruption is when she meets the wolf and he becomes a significant figure in this plot. 
• 3- Recognition that the disorder has occurred as the wolf is now the grandma. 
• 4- Attempt to repair the image is when she attempts to get her grandma back by killing the wolf. 
• 5- Return to a new equilibrium when everyone is now happy and the grandma is back. 
• Another example is into you by Ariana Grande -  









• Cuffs is known as an a attractor led narrative with multiple storylines. It is a series drama 
• The Avengers is known as a long-form serial drama. 


Cuffs- 
• 1- Equilibrium is when Jake joins the police force. 
• 2- Disruption is when the robbery took place in the newsagent. 
• 3- Recognition is when Donna got a urgent call for help. 
• 4- Attempt at repair is when they suddenly run from their lunch and get in the police car.
• 5- New equilibrium is when they didn't catch the robbers but they made sure everyone was safe and secure.  


Avengers- 
• 1- Equilibrium is when being friendly and having fun and flirting. 
• 2- Disruption is when missing people in Little Bayzlee. 
• 3- Recognition is when they get on the train and recognise the problem and go to investigate. 
• 4- Attempt at repair is when they defeat the Russian spies 
• 5- New equilibrium is when they go home.