1. Narrative Theories

2.  Many music videos have narratives
which can either follow the lyrics or
diverge from the lyrics however there
is some theory behind these
narratives . Here are a few...

3. Todrov’s Theory
 Todorov has a narrative theory which includes five key stages which are as
follow:

Equilibrium - This is a period in time where everything is steady
Disequilibrium - This is where certain circumstances changed making the
narrative unsteady and unsettled, usually a problem arises causing the
protagonist to become unsettled, this can also happen when they are
confronted.
Recognition - This is when circumstances change again however they
change for the best, usually the protagonist begins to find peach after the
disequilibrium.
Reparation - This is usually where certain circumstances begin to resolve
for themselves
New Equilibrium - The 'happy ending' of the story, peace is usually fully
restored and the protagonist is happy/content.

4. Vladimir Propp
 Vladimir Propp proposed that the
characters within the narrative along
with their actions will define certain
roles and functions an example of this
would be Star Wars for example The
donor would be Yoda and The
princess would be Princess Laya.

5. Character Roles
 The hero (someone who is seeking something)
 The Villain (Someone who opposes the hero)
 The donor (helps the hero by providing a
magical object)
 The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way)
 The false hero (falsely assuming the role of
hero)
 The helper (gives support to the hero)
 The princess (the hero’s reward who needs
protection from the villain.
 Her father

6. Roland Barthes
 Roland Barthes proposed that
narratives will work with five different
codes all of which activate the reader
to make sense of the narrative.

7. Codes
 Action – A narrative where a resolution is produced
via action for example a war or a car chase.
 Enigma – A narrative which teases the audience
with a puzzle/riddle which they strive to solve.
These are used to delay the narratives thus ending
pleasurably.
 Symbolic – Connotation – Underlying message to
be conveyed
 Semic – Denotation – Literal meaning of what is
being seen.
 Cultural – A narrative device where the audience
can recognise being part of a culture for example
slumdog millionaire is showing the Indian culture of
life in the slums

8. Claude Levi - Strauss
 Claude Levi- Strauss studied how
stories reflect the beliefs, myths and
values of a culture unconsciously
which are then expressed in the form
of binary opposites.

9.  After planning my music video I have found
that my music video completely fits with
Toderovs theory with the equilibrium at the
beginning being the girlfriend and boyfriend
together then moving to her boyfriend walking
away from her creating disequilibrium with
her then befriending her childhood bear and
becoming content becoming the
recognition moving towards when her
boyfriend returns causing reparation to
a new equilibrium where she is back with
her boyfriend and they are both happy.