single camera techniques - narrative structures
TRANSCRIPT
TV & Video
Short Film
Last week
What were we looking at last week?
This week
We’re going to look at narrative structure.
By the end of today, you
MUST understand what a narrative is
SHOULD explain the difference between linear and non linear narratives
COULD explain what plot points are
A narrative is a story
Stories are the driving force behind a good single camera production.
But what do we expect a story to have?
Good narratives have….
• Interesting & believable characters • A good concept (the idea)• Drama! • Action! • A beginning, middle & end• Exciting plot points
Film narratives are like a good burgerThey’re split into 3 different parts.We call each of these parts “acts”
Film narratives are like a good burgerThey’re split into 3 different parts
The first 3rd of the film is the setup:
Its where we meet the characters and find out what the basic stories premise is ….
30 minutes
Film narratives are like a good burgerThey’re split into 3 different parts
The second 3rd of the film is the conflict:
Its where the main character has to fight against increasing odds to get what they want….
30 - 60 minutes
Film narratives are like a good burgerThey’re split into 3 different parts
The final 3rd of the film is the resolution:
Its where the story wraps up, and our characters get to the end of their journey
30 minutes
Plot points
At the end of act 1 & act 2 is a plot point.
A plot point is something that happens which moves the story forward in a new & interesting way.
Plot points Lets look at the plot points in Batman Begins.
At the end of act 1 Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham and becomes Batman.
At the end of act 2 Ra’s Al Ghul returns to Gotham and burns down Wayne Manor.
All stories have a timeline, a chronological order.
As film-makers though, do we need to tell the story in the order in which it happens?
As film-makers we can edit it together in the order we want.
We can choose to tell it in the order it happens….
A linear narrative
Or out of order…
A non-linear narrative
Today
We’re going to look at Memento.
I want you to fill in the work-sheet as you’re watching: • identify what happens in each act • what the plot points are• What is the beginning & the end?
Feedback
What did we learn about the narrative structure? • Is it linear, or non linear? • How were the beginning &
end related? • What were the plot points?