Relevant Film Theories...

Film theory as we know it today did not come into existence until the late 1960’s, and since then has been dominated by psychoanalytic ideas. 


Todorov's Narrative Theory - all narratives have a basic three part structure

Equilibrium:  the normal situation as it exists in the world of the film.

Disequilibrium: something happens to disrupt the situation.

Return to Equilibrium: a resolution is found and harmony or equilibrium is restored.


If I am to create a short film I plan to employ both these theories into my work:

Art Film Theory - this involves the use of moving images that reflect individualistic efforts. Individual Expressionism is key to art film because the theory incorporates a variety of styles and narrative perspectives. Often referred to as art house films and they are very typical of short films.

Structuralist Film Theory - this emphasizes the way films portray a deeper meaning through universal codes. There is no necessary need for language interaction but the manner in which the scenes are combined and the various facial expressions show a deeper meaning. How films covey meaning through the use of codes and conventions not dissimilar to the way languages are used to construct meaning in communication. Mis en scene, camera shots and facial expressions all help to create a structuralistic film.


Depending on the concept of the film I may use Film Noir; I find this genre very artistic and captivating after watching the film 'Brick'.

Film Noir - this describes a genre of film with a very dark outlook, Noir is a French word which literally means black, film noir was first used in Hollywood just after the war. Previously all Hollywood films had had a sunny outlook but film noir was the flip side of life. It often consists of doomed heroes, manipulative people and hidden personal and political agendas.

Lighting in film noir is often very darker, creating long shadows and claustrophobic atmospheres. Characters from film noir in the 1940's always seemed to be set in dark, smoked filled rooms; they were like flies trapped in spider webs.

Fatalism played an important role in the plots of film noir. Heroes were set on paths that would lead to their downfall. More often than not they would be normal people in unfortunate incidents; a large number of these fatalistic incidents were caused by the femme fatale.

Femme fatale was a portal of women that had never been seen before, and challenges Propp's Spheres of Action. The femme fatale was impossible to resist, in film noir gender roles are changed; the women is usually the strong character.

Film noir went through decline in the 1950's as peoples out looks on life became sunnier. However in the 70's onwards film noir became more popular again as feminism was on the rise and governments were being portrayed as they could not be trusted.


Propp's Spheres of Action - Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic and he grouped together characters and actions in narratives into seven different character roles or "Spheres of Action".

Hero - traditionally male who's role was to restore normality or equilibrium by defeating the villains and winning the love of the heroine.

Villain - the cause of the disruption and the antithesis of the hero, possibly also a threat to the safety and virtue of the heroine.

Dispatcher - sends the hero on the journey to restore equilibrium. The dispatcher may also be the father of the heroine, sending the hero on a quest to prove his worth.

Donor - give the hero something to help on his journey. The gift may be a piece of advice, a skill or and object.

Heroine - usually a passive and vulnerable character, threatened by the villain and needing rescue from the hero.

Helper - assist the hero in restoring equilibrium. The helper is often the sidekick, with the hero throughout, or someone he meets along the way.

False Hero - a character who initially seems to be on the side of the hero but who turns against him or deceives him.