Strauss' theory is that in a narrative, conflict is based around 'binary opposites'. These 'binary opposites are complete opposing ideas. Examples of some are: good versus evil, men versus women, young versus old, and strong versus weak. The binary opposite theory can be applied to many music videos, which contain narrative, as they usually contain two opposing ideas or characters.
Binary opposites are often used to emphasise the divide, between two sides. By using two complete opposites there is a clear conflict, and the audience can easily pick the side they are on. With binary opposites the audience are usually rooting for the side most similar to them, usually the good side. Rarely some media products portray a conflict between too sides, but without binary opposites. This means that both sides tend to be 'black and white', which leads to the audience not having allegiance to one side. A tv show which does this is Game of Thrones, where nearly all of the characters have a good side and a bad side, unlike Star Wars where it is clear that there are the good Jedi and the evil Sith.
Binary opposites are often used to emphasise the divide, between two sides. By using two complete opposites there is a clear conflict, and the audience can easily pick the side they are on. With binary opposites the audience are usually rooting for the side most similar to them, usually the good side. Rarely some media products portray a conflict between too sides, but without binary opposites. This means that both sides tend to be 'black and white', which leads to the audience not having allegiance to one side. A tv show which does this is Game of Thrones, where nearly all of the characters have a good side and a bad side, unlike Star Wars where it is clear that there are the good Jedi and the evil Sith.
Vladimir Propp - Narrative Theory
Propp's studied hundreds of fairy tales as research for this theory. From his research he found that there is a pattern to all of them. His theory is that there are eight roles in all narratives. These roles are:
- The Villain- enemy of the hero -Vader
- The Donor- prepares/provides the hero with help
- The Helper- assists, rescues, or solves for the hero
- The Princess- a goal for the hero, or someone for the villain to punish
- The Father- The Princess' guardian
- The Hero- saviour of the story, departs on a search
- The False Hero- claims to be The Hero
This theory is the most difficult to apply to music videos, as they are only short, making it rare to find all of the roles in a single video.
Propp's narrative theory applies to many narratives, usually much more easily found in films. Within a music video's narrative some of the roles frequently appear, however it is very rare for all of them to be included. The reason for this is the length of a music video, which is too short to include all character roles. Whereas, in a film there is far more time for all of these characters to be developed. Most narratives contain a Villain, and Hero, but some of the other types are more difficult to find.
These character types are more prevalent in more traditional narratives, which is no surprise as Propp developed this theory from looking at fairy tales. The above character roles are seldom seen in unconventional narratives, as the writer usually has tried to be unique.
Propp's narrative theory applies to many narratives, usually much more easily found in films. Within a music video's narrative some of the roles frequently appear, however it is very rare for all of them to be included. The reason for this is the length of a music video, which is too short to include all character roles. Whereas, in a film there is far more time for all of these characters to be developed. Most narratives contain a Villain, and Hero, but some of the other types are more difficult to find.
These character types are more prevalent in more traditional narratives, which is no surprise as Propp developed this theory from looking at fairy tales. The above character roles are seldom seen in unconventional narratives, as the writer usually has tried to be unique.
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