Microdrama + Narrative theory + Propps 7 recurring Character types

This blog post is all about what is Micro drama/ Narrative theory and Propps 7 recurring Character types.
I then talk about my Microdrama and then how i followed these theories in my drama. I also explain what Omniscient narrator, linear narrative, and non-linear narrative are.


Narrative theory

 Todorov is associated with the theory that ever narrative can be broken down into three basic stages; Situation, conflict, resolution (or equilibrium, new equilibrium). Crucially, your protagonist is not the same as at the outset, but has been changed in some way from events. These are the 5 stages

1) A state of equilibrium at the outside

2) A disruption of the equilibrium by some action

3) A recognition that there has been a disruption

4) An attempt to repair the disruption

5) A reinstatement of the equilibrium

Recurring character types

Vladimir propp (in his study of fairy tales which continue to influence literary and media studies today) argued that there are essentially just seven basic character types, or archetypes.

1) The villain- whom struggles against the hero

2) The donor- whom prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object

3) The magical helper- whom helps the hero in the quest

4) The princess and her father- whom gives the task to the her, identifies the false hero, marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished

5) The dispatcher- the character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.

6) The hero/victim- who reacts to the donor, and weds the princess

7) False hero- takes credit for the hero's actions or tries to marry the princess

Microdrama

I was tasked to produce a short movie drama that included narrative theory and most of the character types.

Because i was filming at school i wanted to make the film quite plain. So the film is about a boy who is very thirsty. So he borrows some water to get a drink but the drink machine is out of order. His friend then comes and lends him a water bottle so he can get a drink. Its not very intresting but it uses the different character types quite well.

1) The villain- This is the drinks machine because it refuses to give a drink to the boy, its not the typical villain but it fits in.

2) The donor- This is the boy who lends the hero 50p to get a drink

3) The magical helper- This is the friend who lends the hero the waterbottle

4) The princess and her father- This character type isnt used but it could be in the form of a girlfriend.

5) The dispatcher- This is another friend who tells the hero that they is a drink machine and where it is.

6) The hero/victim- The boy who wants the drink. He is also a victim in this.

7) False hero- Not used.

I also managed to follow narrative theory very well in my short.

1) A state of equilibrium at the outside

- Everyone is sat around talking and everything is fine.

2) A disruption of the equilibrium by some action

- The boy really needs a drink because he has a headache 

3) A recognition that there has been a disruption

-The drinks machine is out of order

4) An attempt to repair the disruption

-A friend lends the victim a water bottle

5) A reinstatement of the equilibrium

- He has a drink and once again everything is fine.


From this task i have learnt how directors incorporate the 7 characters as well as narrative theory into movies and have had some practice at producing a movie with them.

Omniscient narrator - an ‘all‐knowing’ kind of narrator very commonly found in works of fiction written as third‐person narratives. The omniscient narrator has a full knowledge of the story's events and of the motives and unspoken thoughts of the various characters. He or she will also be capable of describing events happening simultaneously in different places—a capacity not normally available tothe limited point of view of first‐person narratives.


non- Linear narrative- is a narrative technique, sometimes used in literature, film, hypertext websites and other narratives, wherein events are portrayed out of chronological order and are usually dictated by user choices and set parameters within the media.


linear narrative-  is where storys or events are played out in a non chronological order.