Tuesday, 12 September 2017

Narrative outline

This narrative is based off Todorov's theory that all folklore tales follow the same five part structure.

Part one: EXPOSITION

The protagonist is a young man, around 21, struggling with money. He has been involved with an illegal enterprise in order to get jobs which pay well. 

His newest job requires information to be gathered about a fast upcoming company, which is becoming a threat to his boss's business. 

The catch is, his mind must be in an altered state to do this, and the only way this can be done is to take a certain drug - 
'Lilium Dicentra, a flower originating from the Amaryllis plant. It allows the occipital lobe in the brain to be enhanced and used to its full potential. The LD affects the brain’s ability of lateral thinking. It creates new pathways in order for alternative connections to be made.'

The trip will last for three days - in this time the job must be done.


Part two: DEVELOPMENT

The protagonist takes the drug (in the form of a cup of herbal tea), as his first concern is his lack of money. He travels home after his discussion with his boss in China Town. (The normality here is clearly shown in order to contrast with his drug trip.)

His trip begins that night. The first stage of the drug has a similar effect to Speed; he therefore becomes extremely focused and energised, and begins to research the company. He stays up all night as he cannot sleep; already he is beginning to seem unstable.


Part three: COMPLICATION

After coming down from the first element of the trip and feeling exhausted (whereby making him more mentally vulnerable), the second part of the drug kicks in; the 'acid'/psychedelic trip begins.

As his mind is unable to comprehend the drug, he begins to have a bad trip; he is under extreme pressure to do this job but he cannot think straight. Meanwhile, the company have realised his intentions and are onto him; not only does he have to complete his job, he is now 'on the run' from the people that are out to get him.

Throughout this trip, he sees the world in an altered way. (His disorientation and paranoia will be shown through camerawork and editing.) He is shown cracking under the pressure and affects of the drug.


Part four: CLIMAX
The third stage of the drug is similar to Valium. The film now moves at a slower pace. 

The protagonist feels isolated and fearful, as he cannot remember what he has done. Has he found the information? If so, where is he keeping it? Time is almost up. 

He decides to take drug again in order to recall the information, however this time he knows how to cope with the trip. 


Part five: RESOLUTION

As the protagonist now knows how to handle the drug, he uses it to his advantage and manages to gather the information.

However, when he finds it, he reads the research documents that are included in the files. There is research about the drug that he has taken - the company are trialling it - and if it is successful, it will make them extortionate amounts of money. This is why they are becoming a threat to his boss's business.

The files read that the drug will eventually fatigue the brain, causing it to crumble from exhaustion - and in effect also killing the body which it inhabits.

The protagonist's boss has used him as a guinea pig. The protagonist dies.

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