Todorov Narrative and Film Trailers

What is Todorov's theory?

Todorov's theory of 5 stages of narrative states that each narrative follows the same 5 stages...

The five stages are as follows:

• Equilibrium

This first stage is the beginning of the story, a level of normality and the introduction to the story.

• Disruption

This is the "climax" of the narrative. This is the part in the story where a drastic action , character deaths as an example, pushes the narrative in a different direction, forcing the characters to find a solution. 

• Recognition of the disruption

This is where the characters within the story recognise the dilemma within the story and begin to plan a solution. 

• An attempt to repair the disruption

This is where the solution is executed, usually successfully. and the disruption caused is completely repaired, for example with justice ( finding a killer).

• The new equilibrium

The end of the story is usually left with a "happily ever after", a new level of normality to end the story with a sense of closure for the audience.

Applying the theory: Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003)

The first stage of narrative within this trailer is clear when Uma Thurman's voice over states that her and the other characters were once friends who worked together until she decided to leave which then leads to the second stage of Todorov's theory, the disruption. The disruption stage in this trailer begins when Uma Thurman's character is shot during her wedding, leaving her comatose in the hospital. The third and fourth stages are present when the voice over says "its kill or be killed." This point is then emphasised by a discussion between two characters about getting even. Leaving the fifth stage unknown to the audience. However, the end of the trailer presents a release date for Kill Bill vol. 2 (2004), giving a clear indication that even at the end of the movie, the story isn't over.

How will this effect my trailer?

In a similar way, I will incorporate the first 3, maybe 4 stages of Todorov's narrative theory in my trailer. This way i can include as much plot information as possible into my trailer without giving too much away about the ending of it. Todorov's theory of the 5 stages of narrative is a crucial theory to be applied to my trailer.