Narrative lesson slides

1. Narrative is the art of
telling a story – so it is
more than just the story, it
is how the story is told.

2. 1. Story & Plot - Bordwell & Thompson
2. Enigma Codes – Roland Barthes

3. Bordwell and ThompsonBordwell and Thompson approach narrative by breaking itapproach narrative by breaking it
down intodown into plot and storyplot and story..
PlotPlot::
"The term plot is used to describe everything visible and audibly"The term plot is used to describe everything visible and audibly
present in the film before us" (Bordwell and Thompson)present in the film before us" (Bordwell and Thompson)
It isIt is the explicit presentation of narrative events along with
additional non-diegetic material (credits, score, etc.).
Useful term - ExplicitUseful term - Explicit: Expressing all details in a clear and obvious way: Expressing all details in a clear and obvious way
leaving no doubt as to the intended meaningleaving no doubt as to the intended meaning – So, what the audience
actually see and hear in the film.

4. StoryStory::
"The set of all the events in a narrative, both the ones explicitly"The set of all the events in a narrative, both the ones explicitly
presented and those the viewer infers, composes the story"presented and those the viewer infers, composes the story"
(Bordwell and Thompson)(Bordwell and Thompson)
So, the story is the combination of the entire sequence of eventsSo, the story is the combination of the entire sequence of events
that is shown (the plot) as well as everything that the audiencethat is shown (the plot) as well as everything that the audience
conclude has happened but is not shown.conclude has happened but is not shown.
Useful term - InferUseful term - Infer: To conclude something on the basis of evidence or: To conclude something on the basis of evidence or
reasoningreasoning – So, what the audience presumes has happened based on what
they see and hear in the film.

5. The key to narrative analysis is to consider the wider storyThe key to narrative analysis is to consider the wider story
rather than simply describing the plot.rather than simply describing the plot.
There are elements of any narrative that we are expected toThere are elements of any narrative that we are expected to
presume or infer, simply because it would be impossible topresume or infer, simply because it would be impossible to
explicitly state everything.explicitly state everything.
Sometimes the plot may deliberately obscure elements of storySometimes the plot may deliberately obscure elements of story
to keep us intrigued (as in mysteries). Many art house filmsto keep us intrigued (as in mysteries). Many art house films
are less dependant upon plot and require the audience toare less dependant upon plot and require the audience to
infer more.infer more.

6. Elements of story are often open to interpretation, for example we asElements of story are often open to interpretation, for example we as
viewers may presume something about a character based uponviewers may presume something about a character based upon
their appearance or actions.their appearance or actions.
We often do this subconsciously. Sometimes the plot can be left openWe often do this subconsciously. Sometimes the plot can be left open
which leaves us to make up our own mind about what might orwhich leaves us to make up our own mind about what might or
might not happen.might not happen.
The more sophisticated your understanding of story and your abilityThe more sophisticated your understanding of story and your ability
to infer subtle information, the better your work will be. Theto infer subtle information, the better your work will be. The
weakest narrative analysis relies too much upon explicitweakest narrative analysis relies too much upon explicit
information. However be careful, inferences must be backed up byinformation. However be careful, inferences must be backed up by
reference to the text.reference to the text.

7. = Compression of Time= Compression of Time
Most films operate a high degree of Ellipsis or TimeMost films operate a high degree of Ellipsis or Time
manipulation.manipulation.
In order to move the story forward, the film only shows theIn order to move the story forward, the film only shows the
audience the moments in time which are relevant to theaudience the moments in time which are relevant to the
narrative.narrative.
TASK: Consider the organisation of time in The Social Network:
1. Draw a simplified timeline that shows the order of events as
we see them in the film (plot)
2. Now consider events in the order that we infer they took
place (story).

8. Apply Bordwell and Thompson’s theoretical approach byApply Bordwell and Thompson’s theoretical approach by
considering the organisation of time in your teaser trailerconsidering the organisation of time in your teaser trailer
in terms of plot and story:in terms of plot and story:
Create a timeline of theCreate a timeline of the plotplot and then theand then the storystory in yourin your
teaser trailer.teaser trailer.

9. What does this approach reveal?What does this approach reveal?
Is the plot:Is the plot:
• In chronological order? (linear narrative)In chronological order? (linear narrative)
• Or, are events shown out of time order? (non-linearOr, are events shown out of time order? (non-linear
narrative)narrative)
What aspects of the story are inferred?What aspects of the story are inferred?
Stretch and Challenge: To what extent does this inferenceStretch and Challenge: To what extent does this inference
rely on audience understanding of genre conventions?rely on audience understanding of genre conventions?

10. Use of Narrative to create Suspense and AudienceUse of Narrative to create Suspense and Audience
expectations…expectations…
Restricted or Unrestricted Narratives determine howRestricted or Unrestricted Narratives determine how
much information is released to the Audience at amuch information is released to the Audience at a
time… What do they need to know and when?time… What do they need to know and when?
If the audience knows more than the characters then theIf the audience knows more than the characters then the
narrative is unrestricted. If the audience only sees eventsnarrative is unrestricted. If the audience only sees events
through the eyes of one character, for example, then it isthrough the eyes of one character, for example, then it is
restricted – we only know as much as they do. Click here forrestricted – we only know as much as they do. Click here for
more detailed explanation:more detailed explanation: http://http://
www.slideshare.net/MatthewHartman/narration-9248060www.slideshare.net/MatthewHartman/narration-9248060

11. Narratives that are left unresolved or ambiguous canNarratives that are left unresolved or ambiguous can
be described as open narratives.be described as open narratives.
For example, if Eastenders ends on a cliff-hanger at the end ofFor example, if Eastenders ends on a cliff-hanger at the end of
the episode and you don’t know what will be the outcome,the episode and you don’t know what will be the outcome,
then it is an open narrative.then it is an open narrative.
Narratives that come to a clear conclusion can be saidNarratives that come to a clear conclusion can be said
to have reached narrative closure. Can you think ofto have reached narrative closure. Can you think of
any examples?any examples?
Would a good teaser trailer have an open or closed narrative?Would a good teaser trailer have an open or closed narrative?

12. • EllipsisEllipsis
• Restricted narrative / Unrestricted narrativeRestricted narrative / Unrestricted narrative
• Open / Closed narrativeOpen / Closed narrative
• Linear / Non-linear narrativeLinear / Non-linear narrative
Plus another one:Plus another one:
• Multi-strand narrativeMulti-strand narrative

13. To entice an audience to go and see theTo entice an audience to go and see the
film.film.
Don’t forget to acknowledge this in your own analysisDon’t forget to acknowledge this in your own analysis
as it is a key driver of what plot information is and isas it is a key driver of what plot information is and is
not given to the viewer and what questions this leavesnot given to the viewer and what questions this leaves
them with.them with.
It is useful to consider Roland Barthes work here…It is useful to consider Roland Barthes work here…

14. Action Codes: Images or sequences which work asAction Codes: Images or sequences which work as
a form of a Visual Shorthand making complexa form of a Visual Shorthand making complex
Ideas immediately apparent and carrying theIdeas immediately apparent and carrying the
story forward.story forward.
Enigma Codes: Images/sequences which controlEnigma Codes: Images/sequences which control
how much we know in the story, engaging andhow much we know in the story, engaging and
holding audience interest. They present puzzlesholding audience interest. They present puzzles
which demand to be solved.which demand to be solved.
And The Action/Enigma CodesAnd The Action/Enigma Codes

15. More on the Enigma CodeMore on the Enigma Code
An enigma code works to keep setting up little
puzzles to be solved (and not only at the beginning
of a story), to delay the story’s ending pleasurably:
e.g. how will Tom Cruise get out of this
predicament?
Enigma codes can be described as minor or major.

16. Apply Barthes’ ideasApply Barthes’ ideas
Task:
Watch the clip and write down all the questions
it raises for you as a viewer.
The Social Network
Now try and sort them into minor and major
enigmas.

17. Apply his ideas to your own workApply his ideas to your own work
What elements of your trailer act as enigma codes
(or clues) that leave the audience with questions or
puzzles to solve?
Draw and fill in the table below:
What are the codes (or
clues)?
What questions do they leave
the audience with?
Minor:
Major:

18. How would you approach this in the exam?How would you approach this in the exam?
What the examiners say:
‘If the concept is narrative, and you’ve done a film
trailer, you might consider how far a trailer gives a sense
of a film’s narrative and how much you choose to reveal
in yours as part of promoting the film. What you don’t
want to do is apply some theory like Todorov’s to try to
prove that your film follows a pattern. The task should
be seen as an opportunity really to reflect on how your
chosen project actually works as a text.’

19. How would you approach this in the exam?How would you approach this in the exam?
Examiner’s guide to structuring your answer:
Para 1 - Intro: Which of your projects are you going to write about?
Briefly describe it
Para 2: What are some of the key features of the concept you are
being asked to apply? Maybe outline two of the theories/ideas of
particular writers briefly. (Bordwell & Thompson? Barthes?)
Para 3: Start to apply the concept, making close reference to your
production to show how the concept is evident in it. (See next slide)
Para 4: Keep applying!
Para 5: Conclusion (How successful is the narrative of your product in
serving the purpose of a teaser trailer?)

20. How would you approach this in the exam?How would you approach this in the exam?
Ideas for working through paragraphs 3 & 4:
•What narrative structure does your trailer use? Linear/non-
linear? Open/closed?
•How does this tie in with the purpose of a teaser trailer?
•What plot information is given and what may audiences infer
about the story of the film? (You could also refer to genre here – does
your trailer show conventional elements of a particular genre and so set up
narrative expectations based on that genre?) Link back to how this will
entice viewers – and which viewers it would entice.
•What enigma codes are there and what questions or puzzles are
the audience left with? Link back to how this will entice viewers.

21. Narrative Theory Recap – Without referring
to your notes, try to fill in the gaps:
• B_______ & T_______ approach narrative by
breaking it down into ____(1) and _____(2).
• Definition of (1):
• Definition of (2):
• Roland B______’ ideas are useful in considering
to what extent your teaser trailer uses m____
and m____ e_____ c____ to generate and
maintain audience interest in the film.