1. To discuss and apply narrative
theory
Vladimer Propp
Todorov
Levi Strauss
Barthes

2. To discuss and apply narrative
theory
• http://www.slideshare.net/guest9e3b3b/narrati
• Grid

3. Narrative form : expository mode
• The narrative form must be based upon
evidence. Modern documentaries are less
scripted than their predecessors and
appear more observational, resulting in
the audience arguably being placed in the
position of a voyeur.

4. Semiotics
• Roland Barthes
• Signs and signifiers
• What did you use to develop the
narrative?
• HANDOUT

5. Parallelism
• This technique asks us to draw parallels between
characters, settings and situations prompting the
audience to actively compare and contrast these
elements to identify their similarities. In doing so the
audience makes sense of the unfolding narrative.
Frequently a documentary will feature a :narrator, the
most common is the non-character narrator who remains
and anonymous intermediary.
• A character narrator is used when a narrator is actually a
character in the documentary. Usually male.
• Authoritive voice- recognition and trust

6. Lighting, Camera & Editing
• Can originate from the environment
• Hand-held subjective view
• Steadicam – objective view.
• Editing: fade-out/ fade-in/ dissolve [ when the shot is briefly
superimposed with the beginning of the next/ wipe.
• Spatial relations – moving from one shot to another, the audience
relates this juxtaposition through similarity, difference or
development and creates meaning eg if we see a shot of a person
running for a bus & then a shot of a bus stopping we assume that
the two are connected, they have spatial relation to one another.
• How did you use these technical codes to develop your narrative?

7. Lighting, Camera & Editing
• Can originate from the environment
• Hand-held subjective view
• Steadicam – objective view.
• Editing: fade-out/ fade-in/ dissolve [ when the shot is briefly
superimposed with the beginning of the next/ wipe.
• Spatial relations – moving from one shot to another, the audience
relates this juxtaposition through similarity, difference or
development and creates meaning eg if we see a shot of a person
running for a bus & then a shot of a bus stopping we assume that
the two are connected, they have spatial relation to one another.
• How did you use these technical codes to develop your narrative?