Outline of narrative (1)
- 2. • A group of friends, Amelia, Esme and Bella are on their way to London for the weekend. Unexpectedly, their car breaks down and the nearest place they could access is an old inn. This is conventional because we often expect old places to be portrayed in a negative way in horror films. • They try to find help, however the people at the desk tell them that it is too late to get their car fixed and they will have to spend the night. • They go to their room and Bella decides to research the history of the inn. She finds out that the old owner used to torture the visitors and steal their belongings. They are troubled by the past of the inn and this will help the audience connect with them.
- 3. • Bella then goes and tells her friends about her findings. They are hesitant at first, but as soon as they hear a strange noise coming from the hallway they believe her. Strange sounds and noises are heard in the majority of horror films and they build up tension and suspense. • After a bit more research, they find out that the receptionist who told them they need to spend the night is the grand-grandson of the man who performed numerous murders in the past, Bartholomew Pickering. They try to call their parents but their phones have no signal, so they try to leave the inn.
- 4. • They didn’t know that Damon, the receptionist, was listening to their conversation, so when they try to leave they find that all the doors are locked and the inn seems incredibly quiet. • After many attempts, they decide to split up and try to find a way out. This is when they start experiencing strange noises and objects falling by themselves. They realise that, although B. Pickering died ages ago, he is still there and he is still killing people, with the help of his grand-grandson.
- 5. • Esme disappears, but the other two girls manage to get out. They know they have nowhere to go but they start running as fast as possible. • However, Damon is following them. • They disappear one by one, but Bella seems to be the only survivor. However, she gets caught right before the film ends and drops the camera. This was inspired by “The Blair Witch Project”, which ends in suspense, as the audience does not know what happens to the only survivor.
- 6. Todorov’s narrative structure • Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure where they begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored. • Our narrative conforms to this narrative structure, as the audience is able to see the equilibrium at the beginning being disrupted. However, this theory is challenged as the audience is not able to tell whether or not the equilibrium is restored in the end. This creates mystery and suspense and it is likely to leave the audience creating their own ending.