Theory (Anju Tamang)

Tzvetan Todorov analysed narratives according to the way they move forward through different stages and suggested that narratives could be broken into specific stages for analysis of their own genre. Todorov Narrative Structure is written by a Bulgarian structuralist who produced influential work on narrative since 1960.This theory is divided into 3 stages
a) Equilibrium
b) Disequilibrium
c) New equilibrium.

It can be further sub-divided into 5 stages, they are -
a) Equilibrium (The setting is established)
b) Disruption (Oppositional character appears)
c) Recognition of disruption (Tension build out)
d) Attempt to repair disruption (Point of tension after which there is a change in dynamic)
e) Reinstatement to equilibrium ( Problems solved, happy ending).

These stage are created to layout the narrative, so that it would be easy to create narrative whether its fiction or non fiction. The film has to have this structure as it builds up the layout of story. In every story, the stories begins with equilibrium where the story is built and it is disrupted by some events , resolved the problems and happy ending. It helps the audience to keep interested. With this structure you could built up tension, create doubt in the minds of the audience and answer it when you want to break the conventions.

It is not necessary that you always have to obey this structure in order, you can rearrange the order and make a story on its own way. While filming you should always have clear goals to keep the audience interested.


(Picture from google image)