Week 1: Todorov's Narrative Theory Application

Todorov's Narrative Theory is the thought that every storyline within a piece of media has a set-out direction. This theory consists of 5 stages; Equilibrium, Disruption of Equilibrium, Dis-Equilibrium, Restore Equilibrium, and New Equilibrium.

Conforming to this theory, the narrative structure for our film as a whole is as follows;

• Equilibrium: In the elevator (2 people)
• Disruption of Equilibrium: Dead person - black eyes
• Dis-Equilibrium: unknown killer going around killing people without touching them.
• Restore Equilibrium: Someone researches the history of the murders and how to stop them from happening.
• New Equilibrium: Murderous 'creature' dies.

However, for our opening;

• Equilibrium: Female and male in the elevator on their way home.
• Disruption of Equilibrium: Female's eyes become discoloured and stale.
• Dis-Equilibrium: Male is killed.
• Restore Equilibrium: Female closes/shuts down elevator as she leaves.
• New Equilibrium: Female walks down the road towards her home after fabulous time shopping.

Here is an example of a film that follows this narrative structure.