Narrative Task: Film opening

Film opening:UP

For this task I had to analyse a film scene using the techniques. One of these is Barthes' three codes, Actions, Symbols and Inigma. Also Aristotle's theory of simply having a beginning, middle and ending. Todorov's theory of each narrative passes five stages and has equilibriums. And finally Levi-Strauss' theory of binary opposites.

I am analysing a scene from the film UP.

A narrative that is shown from Todorov's theory is that the scene starts with a new equilibrium of the couple moving in and starting a life together. Then Todorov's theory is shown as there is different stages and many disturbed equilibriums which sets them back on there dream. The disturbed equilibriums are firstly when the couple cant have a baby and the shortly fallowed by a series of disturbed equilibriums when they start to save for there dream. these are, when the car tyre bursts so they have to use the money they are saving to fix the tyre, then the house is destroyed by a storm and falling tree and finally when he breaks his leg. these are all setbacks and disturbed equilibrium. Additionally, the final disturbed equilibrium which destroys the dream completely is when she passes away. This then starts a new equilibrium of that he now have to live without her.

A narrative that is shown from Aristotle's theory is that it starts with them becoming married and starting a life together. The middle is the life they go through together and how they grow old together. Then the end is when there life together ends when she passes away leaving him alone.

One of Barthes' codes, symbols, are used throughout the clip. One symbol is when the couple are watching and the clouds are babies showing that they want to have children but this ends up that they cannot have children.

Another narrative technique is Levi-Strauss' binary opposites theory. These are you throughout this scene. One way they are used is the two characters have opposite personalities as Ellie is creative and adventurous while Carl is more one dimensional and is reserved. Another binary opposite is at the beginning of the scene Carl struggles to get up the hill where they picnic while they are young whereas at the end of the scene when they are old ellie struggles to get up the hill using binary opposites.