Narrative Analysis

Propps Narrative Theory -

Vladimir Propps character theory proposes that all media only features a selection of seven different character archetypes.
These are:
The Hero - who leads the story and usually marries the princess
The villain - who opposes the hero
The donor - who prepares the hero or gives them some sort of item to be used,
The helper - who assists the hero in his quest
The Princess - Often sought after throughout the plot and marries the Hero
The Dispatcher - Gives the Hero the quest or sends them out on it
The False Hero - not the villain, but often works against the Hero, appears at first to be the Hero, takes credit for the hero’s actions and/or attempts to marry the princess.


In the Odd Look Music video, the three main characters are apparent. The man in the letter jacket is the hero, as he stands up to the men attacking the waitress, who is the princess. The men attacking her are the villains; most emphasis is put on the one in the hat, who is seen to be the leader. Due to the length of a music video and its inability to audibly explain itself, Propps theory is less applicable. Most music videos want to limit characters, and don't have time to establish major linking plot threads. Our video, unlike this one, is not going to establish explicit characters or character types.

Todorov

Todorovs theory states that any media piece is compromised of 5 parts:

Equilibrium - At the beginning, a balanced normality is established.
Disruption - Something happens to destabilise this equilibrium.
Resolution - The characters find a solution to the disruption.
Restored Order - This solution is applied and the disruption is taken care of
New Equilibrium - usually different from the first equilibrium, it is a new order where everything is re-balanced.

In this music video these stages are quite clear. The equilibrium is the diner in a state of normality, the disruption is when the men attack the waitress, the resolution is the man in the jacket appearing, the restored order is him knocking out the attacks and the new equilibrium is him taking the waitress away. 

Our music video does not conform to Todorov's theory, although it will not be very clear either way due to it being non chronological.

In our video, the order will be that equilibrium: He's at a party. Disruption: Arrival of estranged ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, who he fights. After this point there is no real resolution or new equilibrium. We feel that by challenging narrative conventions the video makes it more interesting to watch, and fits with our focus group, who said they preferred challenging conventions.