|
Page 1 of 9 Narrative is simply a word for describing the plot or storyline of a film. Most mainstream films follow a very straightforward, linear structure. At the beginning of the narrative, the audience is introduced to the central characters. There is some kind of disruption to the normal state of affairs which leads to a series of problems and complications that the characters must deal with. The narrative pushes towards a resolution - sometimes happy, sometimes not - where the problem is resolved. Increasingly, filmmakers are experimenting with different types of narratives. In Run Lola Run, witer and director Tom Tykwer uses a circular narrative in which events keep repeating themselves.Some films use flashbacks. These narratives are often described as ‘non-linear’ because the events don’t occur in order. During our study of narrative, we will examine how production elements contribute to cinematic narratives. Production elements include: - camera/film/video techniques and qualities including shot selection, movement and focus
- lighting, including naturalistic and expressive
- visual composition and mise en scene
- acting
- sound, including dialogue, music and sound effects
- editing/vision and sound design and mixing, including style, techniques, placement, pace and rhythm of editing;
We will also look at the relative contribution that story elements make to narrative. Story elements include: - the narrative possibilities, issues and/or ideas established in the opening sequence(s)
- establishment and development of the character(s) and relationships between characters
- the setting and its function in the narrative
- the ways in which multiple storylines may comment upon, contrast, interrelate or interconnect with other storylines in the plot
- the structuring of time, including order, duration and frequency of events, contraction and expansion of time, linear and non-linear time frames
- cause and effect, including character motivations
- point(s) of view from which the narrative is presented, including character or other viewpoint(s)
- narrative progression, including the relationship between the opening sequence(s), developments within the narrative and the closure of the narrative;
During our study of narrative, we will also consider: - the relationship between individual texts and the genre(s) or type of program(s) that the texts are related to;
- the relationship between production and story elements in the narrative organisation of fictional media texts in order to communicate ideas, for example, themes, issues and motifs;
- the relationship between text, reception context and audience experience, expectations and response; for example, pleasure in the action and suspense, circumstances under which the text is received, audience expectations of the text and how these can affect audience interpretation, emotional identification with characters and situations, appreciation of specific scenes, story elements and production values.
|
