narrative recap:

• todorov (beginning middle end)
• vladimir propp (character types and function): stock characters, the hero, the villain, the dispatcher, operates in “spheres of action” hero goes after villain
• claude levi-strauss (binary oppositions): narratives are structured w/ oppositions
• *symour chatman: satellites and kernels (main bits and sub-bits that arent as necessary – appear around it)

time – how the progression of time works in the narrative (linear, nonlinear). Beginning, middle, end etc

space – the type of location wherein the music video is in. This usually changes. It is common for music videos to incorporate shots from a different area in space and possibly time

theme – music videos run from a solid theme which normally affects the mood of the video.

linear – the progression of time that follows a strict beginning-middle-end structure. For example, if you have a linear music video, the music video will go beginning-middle-end

sequential – the progression of a story that follows a ‘one after the other’ event sequence

story – the lowdown of what the music video is about

plot – how the story is organised

memento works using a reverse-organised (nonlinear) plot, where the ending is the beginning and the beginning is the end. this works within the story, revolving around the fact that the main character experiences short term memory loss

roland barthes:

• proairetic code: action, movement, causation
• hermenuetic code: reflection, dialogue, character or thematic development

levi-strauss: binary oppositions: truth and lies (facts and fiction) (this is shown in the plot with the main character’s friend pretending to be supportive compared with the dramatic irony of them being the murderer as well as the main character getting defensive when someone tries to help them, assuming there is something wrong)

function of story: to provide a meta-narrative

flashback – a scene shown in an earlier part of the linear structure that is re-shown

flash-forward – a scene shown in a later part of the linear structure that is shown before it happens

parallel narrative – where two or more narratives run at the same point in the structure

enigma code: a puzzle, something to resolve

light/shade – you need humour to balance negativity within narrative

elision – joining things together

elipsis – leaving things out

THINKING ABOUT NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

• The film begins with Leonard shooting Teddy – the climax of his quest for vengeance. The main question facing Leonard is ‘Who killed his wife?’ and ‘How can he find him to take revenge?’ These questions seem to be answered in the first five minutes – so what enigmas are created for the audience as the plot moves (backwards in time)?

Several enigmas are created during the plot. for example, it begins to be more and more obvious that the man he kills is the wrong man, furthermore other characters are questioned as the audience learns more and more about them and an enigma is created due to their actions each flashback.

• How are these enigmas answered? Are the answers stable (i.e. are the undermined by what we discover later)?

Although some enigmas can be answered, a lot also can’t

• If you had to plot this narrative – what shape would it take? Think about direction and shape ie Freytag’s pyramid. Can you draw out a schematic representation (ie a drawing) of this narrative structure?
• What are the key ‘KERNELS‘ in this narrative structure? What ‘SATELLITES‘ particularly stand out for you?

NARRATIVE, CHARACTER, TRUTH

• What is the significance of the story of Sammy Jenkins to Leonard? How ‘true’ is this story? What does this tell us about the relationship between facts, memories and fiction?

the story of sammy Jenkins mirrors Leonard’s own story, working as a ‘parallel’ to his own life. Later it is revealed in the subjective lens that it wasn’t sammy Jenkins that killed his own wife accidentally due to his condition but Leonard. This relates to facts and fiction as it is unsure if this is true or not, creating an enigma

• By the end of the film, do we feel like Leonard got the right man by shooting Teddy? List arguments for and against this view. How satisfying is the end of the film? What questions do you have left?