This document discusses narrative structure in horror films. It explains that most commercial films follow a three act structure of a beginning, middle, and end. The set-up is the first 5-10 minutes where the main characters, storyline, location, and genre are introduced. During the set-up, a catalyst kicks off the story and a central question is posed that needs resolution. Turning points change the story's direction and raise stakes, while the climax is the big finish where good and bad meet. The resolution ties up loose ends. Students are tasked to watch openings of past student horror films and evaluate how tension rises and falls through specific elements.

1. 1
Horror Openings &
Narrative Structure

2. Story-telling
2
Most commercial films have a conventional narrative of a
beginning, middle and end.
This is known as the Three Act Structure.

3. The Set-Up
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This is normally the first 5 – 10 minutes of the film. It is
here that all vital information is provided (main characters,
basis of the storyline, location, genre). This is the most
important part of the film.
During the set-up the following will occur:
CATALYST: the catalyst is what gets the story going. Usually
an event.
CENTRAL QUESTION: this is a problem, situation or issue
that needs to be resolved by the end of the film.

4. ‘The Ring’, Dir. Gore Verbiniski
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Last lesson we identified a couple of horror conventions
which are linked to narrative. What are they?
FALSE SCARES: this is when the audience expect to jump
or be scared but nothing happens. It can be either a noise or
an action which leads to nothing (a door opening and you
expect someone to be standing behind it but no-one’s there).
Watch the opening carefully and list the important elements
that add to the Set-Up of the narrative.

5. After the Set-Up…
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Once key elements have been introduced it is important that
the narrative moves quickly so that the audience’s interest is
maintained.
TURNING POINTS: are used to do this. These change the
direction of the story and raise the stakes. There will be a
turning point at the end of Act One and Act Two.
The moment the audience most want to see is the
CLIMAX. This is the big finish of the film – where the
good and bad guy meet.
The RESOLUTION is the final part of the film where all
loose ends are tied up (unless there’s a sequel!)

6. A Tension Graph for the 3 Act Structure
6

7. Key Words for Narrative
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RESOLUTION
CATALYST
TURNING POINT
SET-UP
CLIMAX
CENTRAL QUESTION

8. Todorov: Equilibrium, Disruption, New
Equilibrium Todorov
Stage One
Equilibrium
(An ordered state)
Stage Two
Disruption
(by some event)
Stage Three
Recognition
(of the disruption)
Stage Four Attempt to repair the damage
Stage Five
(Return to a)
New Equilibrium
Todorov
Stage One
Equilibrium
(An ordered state)
Stage Two
Disruption
(by some event)
Stage Three
Recognition
(of the disruption)
Stage Four Attempt to repair the damage
Stage Five
(Return to a)
New Equilibrium

9. Horror Tasks
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1. Select 3 Past Student Horrors to watch from Student
Resources.
2. Watch each opening once and draw a tension graph as you
watch it.
3. Comment on the specific elements that made the tension
rise/fall in the opening sequence.
4. Fill in the Past Student Evaluation sheet for each film.

10. Horror Tasks
9
1. Select 3 Past Student Horrors to watch from Student
Resources.
2. Watch each opening once and draw a tension graph as you
watch it.
3. Comment on the specific elements that made the tension
rise/fall in the opening sequence.
4. Fill in the Past Student Evaluation sheet for each film.