Todorov's Theory

Currently we are planning our own ideas of thrillers. This lesson we have learnt about Todorov and all about his theory, his theory was that most narratives can be broken down into five stages; Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition of disruption, Attempt to repair equilibrium and Reinstatement of equilibrium. I used this theory whilst beginning to plan my idea for this thriller.

My first idea was that knew that I wanted it too be set in and around the woods/forest as I could see from many pictures of forests/woods that they can create a very tense, mysterious atmosphere. From this idea I branched off the idea that the film could be based around eyes, and eyes would be the motif. My idea for this thriller would be very tension based, constantly trying to keep the audience on their feet. the main character being the girl, she would constantly been the main focus of the film.

I chose this idea rather than any other as I caught my inspiration from the other films combined such as, red riding hood and mortal instruments. From mortal instruments this scene was the idea I had about the eyes around her constantly turning up out of no where.
Although rather than being in her room, this would happen suddenly in the woods.


I began to use Todorov's theory and incorporate it into my own work, by breaking down my main ideas of the plot into five stages.

Stage	Event
Equilibrium	Young girl, living a normal girl life but constantly going past or involving herself with eyes without acknowledging them.
Disruption	Parents are acting weird around her, almost trying to keep her in the house, not letting her see a boy.
Recognition of disruption	Sneaks out to see boy, he takes her to woods on date. She notices eyes all around her. Turns back around boy is not there.
Attempt to repair equilibrium	Meets the eye group, who make her believe she is one of them and she does everything she asks to become loyal to them. Including bad things such as; betraying family and friends.
Reinstatement of equilibrium	Runs away from group with first boy, to settle down away from the chaos, moves into a cottage in the far away woods, only to wake up back in the place where she first met them. Cliff hanger.