Circular Narrative : Research

After recieving this brief today i thought i should start off with a little research into circular narrative and how it is percieved in films and other media.

At the most basic form a circular narrative is one in which ends where it began, although it does adhere to the traditional plot structure in most cases, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. Although the exposition and the resolution must mirror one another completing the circle.

Another common theme within modern circular narratives is the transition between reality and an imagined world or a cartoon then back to reality. This often happens in fairytales such as 'Jack and the Beanstalk'

Circular narrative can also be portrayed in the theme of the film. As seen in 'Wizard of Oz'(1939 version), the story begins in black and white Kansas following onto the technicoloured land of Oz and finishing in black and white Kansas.

I hope to extend my research further and finally have a clear idea of the circular narrative i want to create within my photographs.

Narrative Structures:

Todorov:

Todorov suggested the main function of any narrative was to:

- Solve a problem
- The characters pass through a series of stages
- Following a linear narrative
- Events follow a chronological order

1. The narrative starts with an equilibrium,
2. An action/character disrupts the equilibrium
3. A quest to restore the equilibrium starts
4. The narrative moves to a climax
5. Resolution/equilibrium is restored

This is a simple typical structure that most texts fit into/follow.

Non-linear narratives:

A key aspect of this narrative is its ability to manipulate time and space.
Many narratives are circular in their structure and/or move around in time.
The narrative can be complicated and can challenge the audience - due to its structure.
In non-fiction, such as sports programmes, time and space is manipulated and we often accept action replays and repeats at different camera angles.