Theoretical Research

Narrative theory

The theory of 3 basic narrative types of closed structure, open structure and circular structure.

Closed Structure has a definite ending with a clear conclusion.
Open Structure has an ending which leaves the audience wondering what happens next and they have to make sense of it themselves.
Circular Structure is where the narrative begins at the end of events and audience are taken back to where it all started through a journey.

I think my short film has an open structure because my short film finishes on a cliff-hanger leaving the audience wondering what has happened. There is a gradual build up of suspense which reinforces my open structure leaving the audience wondering and curious.


Todorovs theory is that films follow a structure that goes from The Equilibrium which is life as usual, then to The Disruption which is when a problem happens, then to The Recognition when the problem is identified, then to The Repair when a plan is put in place to solve the problem and finally to the New Equilibrium when the problem is solved and life returns to a new normality.

I also think my short film follows Todorovs theory as I have The Equilibrium when a family member comes to stay with the Lady of the house, then The Disruption as things start to become eery around the house and suspicion rises, then The Recognition as the family member recognises that things aren't quite right, then we have a Repair when she starts to uncover the truth, however I do not think I have a New Equilibrium because
there is no new normality as things are left on edge and unresolved.

Vladimir Propp suggests that there are seven character types:

-The Hero who is the main character and usually good
-The helper who is a companion who assists the hero with help and advice
-The Villain creates a disruption
-The False Hero may mean to help but fail or be with the hero and betray them
-The Donor gives the hero something to help them such as an object
-The Dispatcher sends the hero on a task/mission
-The Princess may be saved by the hero or be a reward for the hero

In my short film, I use a hero who uncovers the sinister truths and tries to turn the situation around for the better, a villain who causes the disruption and horrors of the plot, a donor who plants an object or clue for the hero to find and a princess who the hero tries to save from the villain.


Roland Barthes narrative theory includes three codes. The Enigma Code which has texts that use mystery and suspense, The Semic Code which has texts that use connotations to make sense for the audience and The Cultural Code which has texts that use cultural references that people will know. 

The Enigma Code applies to my short film because my film has a cliffhanger open ending which creates suspense amongst the audience. My film also uses mystery because it is based around a murder mystery genre. My short film does not use The Semic Code. MY short film does not entirely follow The Cultural Code but follows a similar code, it is does not use cultural references, instead uses references from time periods that people may know. 

Evidence Of Manipulation Of Images

Effects I have used

When I first filmed these shots, I did not take into consideration the time period that I was setting my short film in and I had a radiator and phone shown in the shots which is out of the time period. To resolve this issue I decided to use Adobe After Effects and used a masking tool so I no longer had them in the shots.

In this shot below, you can see I have a radiator clearly in the middle of the shot. This is before I used Adobe After Effects.



In this shot below, you can see the radiator is now gone and the wall continues where the radiator previously was. This is after I used Adobe After Effects. This shot is now appropriate to use for my chosen time period.



 In this shot below, you can see the radiator is still in the background of the shot and there is now a mobile phone left on the book shelf. This is before I used Adobe After Effects.

In this shot below, you can see the radiator has been masked and it is just the wall again. I also managed to mask the mobile phone out of the shot. This is after using Adobe After Effects. I can now use these shots for my short film. 

From this task I have learnt to be more conscious of my setting and what is around me when filming. It has also made me realise how it is more difficult choosing a specific time period. However, I also feel that I have benefitted from making this mistake because I now have better knowledge on how to use these different programmes and I now have the skills to use them in the future.