Narrative theory

Walter Fisher introduced the concept on Narrative theory in 1960 and it explored how humans communicate and then receive.

He believed that everything could be divided into two universal paradigms, which are particular arrangments of related elements. The first categorization was:

Rational World Paradigm:

• People are rational
• People make decisions based on arguments
• Rationality is determined by how much we know and how well we argue
• The world is a set of puzzles that we can solve through rational analysis

The second paradigm was:

Narrative Paradigm

• People are essentially storytellers
• Stories are found on history, biography, culture and character
• Narrative rationality is determined by the coherence and fidelity of our stories

This model of human communication within which human beings as individuals take complex information and establish it into a form of narrative categorizes humans as what Fisher believes to be "Storytelling animals" exchanging messages with each other which are then judged and exchanged by others depending on their values and beliefs.

This is a very complex way to look at narrative theory and Fishers theory goes into extreme depth which I believed to be less important for a short film because very complex narrative structure cannot be established within the five minutes that our film lasts. I also thought that a more classical narrative system did not apply to our film due to the fact that our structure is not in chronological order which means it doesn't fit in with the conventions of a, equilibrium, disequilibrium and a resolution/equilibrium narrative structure which was introduced by Tzvetan Torodov which suggests that the story starts with a status quo and then there is an event that disrupts order, and then moral order is restored.

Certain Narrative theorists have argued that all stories fit into at least one of the following story types. Most movies use a combination of these plots:

Achilles: The fatal flaw that leads to the destruction of the previously flawless individual heroine. This plot line is also the basis of most whodunit flicks with the fatal flaw belonging to a criminal, not the cop.

Candide: The indomitable hero who cannot be put down, this narrative structure is often found in franchise flicks.

Cinderella: The dream-come-true scenario where virtue is rewarded in the end. some examples of these could be shrek, my big fat greek wedding.

Faust: The selling-your-soul-to-the-devil motif where fate eventually catches up with you.

Orpheus: The gift that is taken away - this could take the form of the tragedy of the loss, or journey that follows the loss.

Romeo and Juliet: Self-explanatory. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy finds girl again, or doesn't.

Circe: The spider and the fly, the innocent and the victim.

Tristan: Triangles - Man loves women but third party intervenes.

In my opinion our film fits into three of these story types: Faust, he takes on other people pain but this eventually become his own downfall. Orpheus, we follow his journey of selflessness which results in the tragedy of the loss of himself. Circe, he is both the innocent and the victim as his selflessness makes him the victim of others pain.

Our narrative is very post-modern with the story originating from a video game, it not being in chronological order and it leaves lots to the imagination of the consumers making the connections right or wrong. Lots of shots are used that are inspired from many different films and some of our visual effects are also inspired by certain directors such as david lynch and shane Meadows. But overall we are creating this film in the way that we want to make it using our own creative talents.

To view a very detailed presentation on many different Narrative theorists follow the link below:

Narrative theories