Brainstorm items or situations that scare people.
Narrative theory
Narrative conventions for trailers are similar to films - Todorov's narrative theory.
- Stage 1 - the state of equilibrium is defined
- Stage 2 - disruption to equilibrium by action or crisis
- Stage 3 - character(s) recognise problem and set goals to solve it
- Stage 4 - character(s) try to fix problem, but there are obstacles
- Stage 5 - equilibrium is re-instated, problem solved, conclusion
Task:
Pick ONE idea from the brainstorm - map out a rough 5-stage narrative for that idea.
Horror narrative structures
3 part play:
- First act focuses on central characters beginning ventures into strange or new and ultimately threatening settings
- Second act focuses on what is unleashed as a result of being in this new and strange environment - violence is rife leaving many/most protagonists dead. Survivors become worn down, fear and tiredness starts to break the group down, people who want to raise the alarm often get laughed off
- Third act is the climax, involving dramatic/apocalyptic showdowns with varying outcomes
Now fit in the horror narrative structures into your 5-stage narrative (if you haven't already)
Propp characters
- Villain
- Hero
- Donor
- Helper
- Princess
- Dispatcher
- False hero
Now define the characters in your story - you may need only some or all of these. Who are they in your story?
Task:
Watch three different trailers from your chosen genre. For each trailer identify the different stages of Todorov's narrative theory - use screenshots and explain how it demonstrates the stage in the narrative theory.
Now link the stages of a horror trailer to your own idea - which elements from your narrative structure would you include in the trailer? Which characters? Which stages and characters would you exclude? Why?
More idea generation suggestions:
No comments:
Post a Comment