Task 2.1 - Short films: Todorov's narrative theory By Lukas Szalbot

Todorov's Theory 

Todorov's narrative theory: theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium.

The theory states that a short film may or may not use this:

1. State of equilibrium (all is normal and as it should be). 

2. Disruption of the order by an event. 

3.  A recognition that the disorder has occurred. 

4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.

5. A return or restoration of new equilibrium. 

A short film: The black hole 

Storyline: a man finds a black hole printed onto a blank page and he uses it for his own personal gain. 

1. BEGINNING- State of equilibrium: A normal man at his work place (alone). The character visually looks depressed and bored. The film uses sound to portray his feelings (sigh).
2. DISRUPTION  - Unexpected malfunction of printer causes character to physically assault machine. He is then greeted by a black hole printed in the middle of the page. Character is curious about print out and checks that the printer is functioning.

3. RECOGNITION - He realizes that the cup went through the hole and he takes it out.
4. REPAIR - There is no repair but he does the opposite of this as he starts to use the black hole to take a mars bar and even still money from the safe.
5. RESTORATION - This is when the man keeps taking money from the safe and then he goes inside the safe and the black hole falls down (as the man stuck it onto the safe) and so the man is now stuck in the safe.