LO1 Tasks 4

-->

4: Compare and contrast the narrative styles and structure of Doctor Who and Eastenders.
(E.g. linear/ sequential; non-linear/ non-sequential; flashback; realist or anti-realist; restricted or unrestricted; open or closed endings)

Eastenders is a British soap with a realist narrative, broadcasted on BBC 1. The soap has many close up shots showing facial expressions of the characters which portrays the situation more realistically.

• Within the episode there are close up shots showing facial expressions (confused)
• Medium shot showing the baby's movements.
•  The camera moves out (establishing shot) to show the location of the place. 
• Medium shot going back to show the body language.
• Diegetic sounds (sighs, thuds, etc) a throat clearing.
• The camera is kept on a low angle, zoomed into Michael (the characters face) to portray facial expressions.
• Over shot shoulder occurs between two people having a conversation, the setting is in the market.

•  Objective views with a lot of narratives. 
•  Establishing shot of the cafe, showing what setting it is in.
• Moving scenarios
• Formats: Series (Soap)
• The narrative is linear, there fore it tells different story lines on the same day, which makes it realistic and reflects real live situations and events. 
• Medium shots are taken between group conversations
• Close ups of facial expressions, body language 
• Body language is shown, when the character drinks too much, shouting and creating arguments, which builds up the tension in the soap and are signs of stress.
• Restricted narrative/Unrestricted

Props theory includes the hero, the villan, the dispatcher, the damsel in distress, and the helper. There are many story lines within the episode, such as

1. Abi and her family (Influential friends)

2. Syed & Family (Financial Crisis)

3. Michael and Roxy (Personal matters)

4. Phil and Fatboy (Pub problems)

Two main narratives and two small narratives.

Todorov's theory is included within the soap which is

Doctor Who is a British Sci fi programme with an anti realist narrative.

In terms of prop's Doctor Who is the hero, Amy and Rory are the helpers, Oswin is the Damsel in distress and the darleks are the villans. The narrative is based on the Todorov theory which includes equilibrium, problem/disequilibrium, reparation and recognition, resolution and finally a new equilibrium.

Hero - Doctor Who

Helper - Amy

Vllan - Darlek

Dispatcher - Hooded lady/Darlek PM

Donor - Oswin

Damsel in distress - Oswin

Subject narrative - the audience can see what the character see's. Empathy builds up, and shows the feeling of the situation.

Objective narrative

Audience can only see the external behaviors of the character.

No reason/explanation/in depth information given to explain the behavior.

Creates ''enigma'' - audience keeps guessing, and leaving them in suspense.

Restricted narrative

Information given on the same time as story flow and character introduction

Realistic

Unrestricted narrative

Information is given before hand and audience knows the ending

Not as realistic

The narrative includes:

• Flashback (restricted narrative) (objective)
• Non-diegetic sounds used to set the atmosphere
• Diegetic sounds of crackling, fizzy lighting
• Medium shots taken to show doctors puzzled face
• Establishing shots to set the location
• Diary type e.g Day 363 of a character etc
• Close shot - PM of the Daleks, which gives a disgusting feel and uncomfortable also sickening. 
• Night vision mode used
• Close up-show the fear lock on Rory's face (worked)
• Establishing shot-showing where battle between Rory and Daleks are taking place after the extermination
• Darkness implies the fear which can lead to being afraid and in danger showing unexpected events happening
• Slow steady moving camera - creepy, awareness
• Subject narrative - looking from Amy's viewpoint to see the mortified/dead people and Daleks
• Daleks have been destroyed by the Doctor Who's command
• Slow calming music towards the end to make us feel sympathetic towards the characters
• Sympathetic subject view when Oswin locks through the Dalek machine

The problem is having to face the Daleks on the spaceship - people surviving the Daleks

Restricted narrative towards the end because you find out Oswin is a Dalek and the doctor can't help her.