THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE IN FILM

THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE IN FILM:

MOST FILM NARRATIVES ARE GOAL ORIENTED.

PLOT

THE EVENTS OF THE STORY AS THEY APPEAR IN THE FILM.

FOR EXAMPLE:

THE PROTAGONIST'S PURSUIT OF A GOAL DETERMINES THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE.

THE VILLAIN'S GOAL MAY ALSO DRIVE THE PLOT.

MOST FILMS FOLLOW THE THREE ACT STRUCTURE:

ACT 1: EXPOSITION---INTRODUCES CHARACTERS AND DRAMATIC SITUATION. PROTAGONIST FORMS A GOAL.

ACT 2: COMPLICATING ACTION--PROTAGONIST FACES OBSTACLES IN PURSUIT OF THE GOAL.

ACT 2B: PROTAGONIST STRUGGLES TOWARD GOALS.  INCIDENTS CREATE ACTION, SUSPENSE, DELAY.  THIS MAY FORCE THE PROTAGONIST TO CHANGE IN TACTICS.

ACT 3: CLIMAX AND RESOLUTION--
PROTAGONIST CONFRONTS OPPOSITION.  GOAL IS USUALLY ACHIEVED AND IN SOME CASES NOT, BUT THERE IS A CHARACTER TRANSFORMATION.

SUMMARY OF NARRATIVE PATTERNS:

• Striving toward a goal
• Overcoming obstacles in pursuit of a goal
• Solving a mystery
• Resolving a problem
• Bringing order to chaos (return to equilibrium)
• The journey
• Flight and pursuit
• Coming of age (from innocence to experience)
• Personal growth