SUPERCURRICULAR

Todorov Reading

I read the Dixon chapter about Todorov's Narrative theory to expand on my current knowledge. I found it interesting how Todorov was hugely influenced by the theorist Vladimir Propp. He used this idea to argue that media narratives are created using moments of action. This has enhanced my understanding as I am now able to see how the presentation of characters can be decoded for ideas that exist beyond the immediate plot. 

Shelter Film

I've chosen to watch a recent Shelter campaign video called 'Our House, It's not a home'. The use of a stripped-down version of the song 'Our House' by Madness creates a contrast that makes the disturbing realities of living in temporary housing impactful.

It shows how a house that lacks safety, space and basic essentials can't truly be a home. The narrative challenges the public's perception of homelessness by demonstrating that having a roof over your head is not the same as having a stable home. Altruism is presented by Shelter as their main goal is to support, improve the lives of vulnerable families and raise awareness. They promote pro-social behaviour by showing a 'relatable' home to create an emotional response and to encourage the viewers to view the affected viewers as their own neighbours.

Amy Documentary

The article explores Asif Kapadia's documentary Amy. He has a distinctive narrative style called 'true fiction', where he uses over 100 interviews layered over found footage. 

Kapadia has a consistent filmmaking style that makes him identifiable, which includes no voiceover, using unseen footage, emotional storytelling and focusing on one figure. Amy is also carefully constructed to challenge how tabloids view her. She is represented as vulnerable, misunderstood and exploited by the media. Cultural codes are used to help the viewers understand her life and show how she was a victim of toxic press culture. The audience are already aware of the paparazzi constantly chasing celebrities and the cruel tone used in tabloid headlines. Her story has managed to raise awareness about the stigma around addiction, challenging stereotypes by revealing her true self.