Applying Narrative Theories to our Childrens Film.

 Link to our Children's Film 'Broken Hearted Friends;

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRwscE0Ykfs

Does our text have a clear story?
We believe that 'Broken Hearted Friends' does have a clear story, the voice over suggests and tells the audience the story. At the end we used stills to show each character disappearing one by one to reflect the words of the main character.

Is the structure linear/non linear/ montage?
The way which we created our story line, was by using flashbacks. This created a non-linear structure within our story. We used pictures from the past and created them into a moving video to suggest the past.

Are there any key roles within the narrative (Propps/strauss)
There were key roles within our narrative, the character of Charlotte appears popular rich and talented, where as Stacey was shown and explained to be rebellious, less popular, however no mention to money. The main character of Lucy seems a outsider, un-popular and smart, no real talent. This was shown through the voice over again and also a few on screen images which reflects Strauss' theory of binary opposites within a narrative. However, our children's film opening doesn't relate to Propps theory of character roles being based on fairy-tales driven by males.

Is our text structured by cause and effect? (Todorov)
What has to be taken into account is that our clip is jsut the opening of a film. What is seen is step one to three of Todorov's theory. Equilibrium (explaining that they're really good friends, all is as it should be), disruption (suggestion that somethings happened to split them up) and recognition (this is shown through the visual aspect of 'Lucy' being on her own), however our film suggests that repair and a new equilibrium is to happen later on throughout the film.

What are the audiences expectations of narrative in this genre?
As it was a children's film, no drugs discrimination, horror, imitable behaviour languages nudity sex or violence is shown during this clip which is classified by the BBFC as a U. The story of the film had to be simplistic and relatable to young generations. Obviously there has to be some problem or upset, but the outcome will be reassuring to a young audience.

What is the function of narrative for audiences and institutions?
The institution is children's films, and because it's for a young audience the story-line has to go along with conventional ideas so the children watching have a set structure and positive experience from what occurs during the film. Where as if it didn't go with conventions parents will possibly not want their children watching it.