|Narrative Theory|
Tsvetsan Todorov claimed that there are 5 stages the narrative can progress through, most of which are shown in the teaser trailer for the remake of Dawn of the Dead. A state of equilibrium (1) is established immediately, this is portrayed through the use of ironic music - "It's a wonderful life", and the mise-en-scene which works well with the song; Sunrise (cleverly referring to Dawn..) basketball, implications of sex, hot coffee, dog training and bike riding.
A disruption of that order by an event (2) is shown through a transition |Black and white fuzzy on-screen white noise| to a messy-compilation of newscasts about the event. The ambiguity of the event is key to the teaser trailer as it keeps the audience enticed and it adds a sense of mystery to it. Also, the
A recognition that the disruption has occurred (3) is shown directly through the main characters watching the newscast. This sets up a whole new stage of the narrative, it gives the teaser trailer a completely different feel in contrast to the calm opening. This next stage is introduced by another transition which comes in the form of a blackout which adds to the tension which was previously created and puts the audience into an exciting position.
An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption (4) is what the audience is introduced to next. Repairing the damage, in this case, refers to the killing of zombies and surviving; something which fans of the genre will be pleased to see. The following 14 seconds provides a taste of the action - There are about 6 very brief and ambiguous clips of what the zombies look like, thus maintaining the portrayal of mystery (Roland Barthes - Enigma Code).
The final stage of the narrative (A return/restoration of a new equilibrium) is not shown, there are two reasons for this; One being it will give too much away, and the other is that there may never be a restoration of equilibrium.
A recognition that the disruption has occurred (3) is shown directly through the main characters watching the newscast. This sets up a whole new stage of the narrative, it gives the teaser trailer a completely different feel in contrast to the calm opening. This next stage is introduced by another transition which comes in the form of a blackout which adds to the tension which was previously created and puts the audience into an exciting position.
An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption (4) is what the audience is introduced to next. Repairing the damage, in this case, refers to the killing of zombies and surviving; something which fans of the genre will be pleased to see. The following 14 seconds provides a taste of the action - There are about 6 very brief and ambiguous clips of what the zombies look like, thus maintaining the portrayal of mystery (Roland Barthes - Enigma Code).
The final stage of the narrative (A return/restoration of a new equilibrium) is not shown, there are two reasons for this; One being it will give too much away, and the other is that there may never be a restoration of equilibrium.
- Ben -
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