How Is Each Theory Relevant to the Romantic
Genre?
Propp's Character Theory
Prop's charater
theory suggest that
in every story there is
set of characters that
define the narrative
Each
character is
equally
important in
building the
story
Within the romantic
genre Propp's theory is
easy to visualise
In every romantic story
there is a girl 'THE PRINCESS'
according to Propp. She can
come in many forms, such as
Bella in Twilight.
There is also her love
interest 'THE
PROTAGONIST' according
to Propp for example
Edward Cullen from
Twilight
The ANTAGONIST
usually takes the
form of someone
trying to steal the
girl. The most
obvious example
being Jacob in the
Twighlight series
There is also a DISPATCHER
according to Propp, this could
be Emmet Cullen (who gives
Edward advice to win his girl)
The last character is the
'FALSE HERO' it is hard to
build up this many
characters within the
romantic genre, because
it is very much based on
two people. However
sometimes it is possible,
like in Twilight for the
false hero and antongist
to be the same person,
This does not mean
Propp's theory is incorrect
because the character
and their actions still
comply.
There is also a
'DONOR' or helper who
is trying to help the
hero (on his quest)
in the case of this
genre to win over
the girl. This could be
Edwards dad in
Twilight
Todorov's Narrative Theory
The theory states films start with an
equilibrium. In the romantic genre, this
could be before the two charters have
even met. Or when they first get
together. For example in Friends with
Benefits it is before they have even
met.
The disruption
could be if they
are together
and break up,
or another
relationship
breaks up. For
example in
Friends with
Benefits both
characters
simultaneously
break up
relationships.
There is then a recognition of the
events, within this particular film
(FWB) the main man (Justin
Timberlake) decides to move to New
York where he meets his love interest.
However soon there is conflict.
There is then attempt to
repair the disruption, for
example the regrouping of
the couple at the train
station.
The pair then
decide to
remain
friends and
start their
love affair in
a new
equilibrium.
Roland Barthe's Narrative Code
Theory
Roland Barthe said stories avoid
telling the truth. Just like in
Friends with Benefits and most
other romantic films whereby the
characters avoid sharing their true
feelings.
Barthe said this is called
the Enigma code, this is
something that builds
the tension in the story.
Which is compatible
with the 'Will they,
wont they' aspect of
romantic films.
The Semantic
code is
something
Barthe said
gives hint to
the previous
code. For
example those
long looks
shared between
two characters
before they fall
in love.
The Symbolic code gives clues in a wider meaning
according to Barthe, for example a character
wearing red (the colour of love)
The Cultural Code according to
Barthe is something that looks
at morality. This can come for
testing times in a romance
genre film, for example one night
stands or failed relationship
rebounds.
Levi-Strauss Conflict
Theory
Levi-Strauss says narrative is based
on 'binary opposites' in romantic
films. In Twilight this is evident as
the oppsoites are humans and
vampires.
He says the two opposites
are what makes the narrative
so intresting. This is great for
the romantic genre as the
opposite of the two people in
love can push the narrative
forward and make for a really
good story - just like Twilight.
Users and Gratification's Theory
Our film takes the same approach to mass communications we
work on the principal of competion by giving the audience what suits
their needs.
This is evident throughout the our post, as we have done mass investigation-See
the questionnaire. regarding what our audience want from a romantic film
Our media suits the enteratiament part of the theory that some medias,
(films, tv shows ext) are created for entreatment purposes
We also take the assumption that our audience are not passive as they have played an active part of our planning and
production so far as we post regular action plans and audience feedback
Dyer's star theory
The way the constriction of a 'brand' will be exploitated in our film is through who we would choose to play each part
The female lead
Female leads are a brand throughout the film industry with girls for example
Angelina Jolie creating a person of a tough feisty girl
For our film we have decided that a female lead such as Cameron Diaz or Milia Kunis would be
perfect for our brand! Both actresses are used to playing fun ditzy characters, in romantic films
with serious undertones and moral questions
The male lead
Male leads in the romantic genre are always good looking, clumsy and naturally funny!
Hugh Grant is perhaps the most famous example, however for a film such as ours that has slightly younger audiences,
someone like Justin Timberlake and Aston Kutcher would be aacceptable