WK 3 Pre-Reading

Introduction to Film Narrative

• Author: David Bordwell et al.

• Title: Film Art: An Introduction

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill US Higher Ed ISE, 2023.

• Source: ProQuest Ebook Central

Narrative Structure in Film

Understanding Narrative

• Narrative is the art of storytelling that involves the sequence of events and how they are organized to create a meaningful structure.

• Essential elements to understand:

  • Events: Actions or occurrences that move the story forward.

  • Characters: Individuals who drive the narrative through their goals, decisions, and conflicts.

  • Cause and Effect: Connections that link events together leading to narrative progression.

Parallels and Comparisons

• Example: "Hoop Dreams"

  • Focus on two high school students aiming for basketball careers.

  • Encourages comparison of their journeys through parental influence, coaches, and personal decisions.

Creative Narrative Decisions

• Choices in Storytelling: How a filmmaker structures the narrative affects audience engagement and emotional reactions.

  • Example: A story can begin at the end (a wedding) and use flashbacks to show how characters arrived there.

  • Questioning Order: Different sequences (flashbacks, intermixed timelines) can create suspense and curiosity.

Plot vs. Story

Definitions

• Story: The raw sequence of events in chronological order.

• Plot: The arrangement of those events, constituting how the story is told, including flashbacks and time manipulation.

Audience Engagement

• Viewers make inferences about the story from the presented plot, often filling gaps based on narrative cues.

• Example from "North by Northwest": Initial context (cityscape, character introduction) shapes audience understanding.

Cause and Effect in Narrative

Role of Characters

• Characters are fundamentally responsible for instigating and responding to events.

• Villains and heroes within narratives play pivotal roles in moving the story forward.

Complex Characters

• Characters are often defined by a mix of traits that create depth (e.g., Sherlock Holmes)

• Complexity leads to viewer engagement and interest in characters' journeys.

Narrative Techniques in Film

Use of Causality

• Filmmakers manipulate causal relationships to build suspense and keep audiences invested.

• Detective narratives often withhold information leading up to a climax, revealing the cause of the effects presented.

Exploring Multiple Perspectives

• Films like "Citizen Kane" utilize multiple narrators to reveal aspects of the protagonist's life.

• Perspective changes can alter viewer's understanding of characters and events.

Temporal Structures

Manipulating Time in Film

• Filmmakers can choose non-linear timelines (flashbacks, flashforwards) to enhance narrative complexity.

• Example: "Inception" structures time in a layered manner, affecting the viewer's perception of cause and effect.

Parallel Histories

Dual Narratives

• Parallelism within films allows for the exploration of different storylines that reflect back on each other.

• Highlights how different characters cope with similar themes (e.g., ambitions, dreams).

Thematic Development through Conflicts

Central Conflict in Classical Narratives

• Classical narratives often involve a protagonist facing an opposing force, creating tension that drives the plot.

• Example: Dorothy versus the Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz" illustrates intention versus obstacle.

Role of Narration in Storytelling

Structuring Information

• Narration is the method by which a story is presented to the audience, impacting how they perceive information.

• Range of Knowledge: Narration can be restricted (limited) or omniscient (all-knowing), affecting viewer attachment and suspense.

Thematic Exploration

• Through characters' differing recollections, films present themes of memory, loss, and identity.

• Example: "Citizen Kane" uses various narrators to create a multidimensional view of Kane's character and life.

Conclusion

• Narratives in films, much like those in literature, rely on a complex interplay of plot, character, time manipulation, and audience engagement to convey deeper themes and emotions.

• Effective storytelling leads to a richer viewer experience, encouraging emotional and intellectual responses.