Todorov’s Narrative Theory
Todorov simplified the idea of a narrative, splitting it into 5 stages that almost all films follow:
Example: Finding Nemo
Equilibrium: Nemo and his father are safe and happy
Disruption: Nemo is taken
Recognition: Nemo’s father realises Nemo has been taken
Repair: Nemo’s father meets Dori and searches for his son
New equilibrium: Nemo is re-united with his father
Applying to my trailer:
Equilibrium: Becki is at home, safe with her family
Disruption: Becki is kidnapped
Recognition: After hours of waiting, Lisa (Becki’s mum) realises something must be wrong, she has not returned home
Repair: Family and police search to find her
New equilibrium: Becki escapes the kidnapper and is saved by her dad
Our trailer therefore supports the theory.
Todorov simplified the idea of a narrative, splitting it into 5 stages that almost all films follow:
- Equilibrium – All see’s ‘normal’ and main protagonists are happy.
- Disruption– equilibrium is disrupted by an outside force that has to be fought against
- Recognition- Realising the disorder has occurred
- Repair – An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
- New equilibrium – state of normality is returned to
Example: Finding Nemo
Equilibrium: Nemo and his father are safe and happy
Disruption: Nemo is taken
Recognition: Nemo’s father realises Nemo has been taken
Repair: Nemo’s father meets Dori and searches for his son
New equilibrium: Nemo is re-united with his father
Applying to my trailer:
Equilibrium: Becki is at home, safe with her family
Disruption: Becki is kidnapped
Recognition: After hours of waiting, Lisa (Becki’s mum) realises something must be wrong, she has not returned home
Repair: Family and police search to find her
New equilibrium: Becki escapes the kidnapper and is saved by her dad
Our trailer therefore supports the theory.