This document provides an assignment checklist for a unit on narrative and genre in film. It includes tasks to produce an illustrated report discussing elements of narrative like structure, characters, themes and key terms. Students are asked to analyze examples of short films and film openings using the concepts studied. The document also defines important narrative and genre terms, and discusses theories of narrative structure from scholars like Syd Field, Todorov and Campbell. It outlines Nicholas Lacey's framework for analyzing genre and asks students to apply it in their genre analyses.

1. Unit 10 Learning Aim - A
Assignment Checklist
Task One
Produce an illustratedreportdiscussingthe elementsbelow.The reportistobe in the formof an
interactive journal. Use Mahara for thispurpose.Thinkaboutusingpowerpoints,Worddocuments,
videos,textandimage.
Formats and Purposes
 Discussthe purposesof shortfilmsandfeature films.
Narrative
Introductiontonarrative
 Definitions –plotandstory; Bordwell andThompson;otherdefinitions.
 Art of storytelling –discussionof storytellinginlife andpurposesof narrative
KeyTerms(define the termsandillustrate withmediaexamples)
 Linear
 Non-linear
 Restricted/Unrestricted
 Open/Closed
 Enigma
 Ellipsis
 Exposition
 Multi-stranded
Structure (explainthe theoryandillustrate withafilmexample)
 Introduction –importance of structure in storytellingandintroduce the followingtheory:
 SydField’s3-ActStructure
 Todorov’s5 stages
 JosephCampbell’sThe Hero’sJourney
 Short Filmstructure
 Feature FilmOpeningSequence structure
Characters(explainthe theoryandillustrate withafilmexample)
 Introduction –discussthe role of characterswithina narrative
 Propp’scharacter functions
 Levi-Strauss'BinaryOpposites
Themes(discussthe themesanduse mediaexamplestoillustrate)
 Basedaroundcertaingenres – revenge,treachery,friendship,loyalty,comingof age,etc.
 Discussthemesinthree differentgenres.
Analysis(analyse examplesusingtermsyouhave studiedwithinunit 1andunit10)

2.  Produce three or more analysesof narrative inthree differentgenre shortfilmsoropening
sequencestofeature films.
 How are the narrativestoldvisuallyandwithsound?
Conclusion
 Discussthe importance of narrative withreference tosome of the pointsmade alreadyin
the above.
Genre
Introduction
 Define genre –type,Steve Neale.
 Use inmedia– producers,distribution/marketingandmediastudies.
Theory - establishingcodesandconventions(explaintheoryandillustrate withexamples)
NickLacey’sRepertoire of Elements
 Narrative
 Iconography
 Characters
 Setting
 Style
Audience Expectations
 Audience likesgenre
Genre Analysis
 Produce three differentgenre analysesof shortfilmsorfeature films.
 Use NICSSas a structure
Conclusion
 Importance of usingcodesand conventionsinyourwork –producers,distributorsand
audiencespointsrecap.
Narrative(Keyterms)
Linear: Linear narrative is the most common form of narration, where events are
largely portrayed in a chronological order, that is, telling the events in the order in
which they occurred.
Non-linear: this type of narrative is one in which an author chooses to jump around in
time so that the order in which events are portrayed does no correspond to the order
in which things have happened. This is also known as a disjointed narrative.
Restricted/unrestricted: a restricted narrative is seen when a movie is filmed from the
point of view of only one character making it, as a result of this as an audience we

3. only know as much as the character does. With an unrestricted narrative it tells and
shows the audience everything whilst the characters in the film stay unaware to the
narration.
Open/closed narrative: open narratives normally have multiple characters with no
inevitable ending. For example, in Soap operas, like EastEnders, they are normally
multi-stranded and in Chronological order. A closed narrative structure is the most
common narrative structures found in TV. Consisting of a beginning, middle and end.
Enigma: This is when a question is not immediately answered and thus draws an
audience into a text. For example, a body is discovered at the beginning of a tv
detective drama like a killer’s identity.
Ellipsis: in film this is marked by an editing transition like a dissolve, wipe or a jump
cut this is to create a gap or period from the film’s narrative.
Exposition: this is a device that is used in tv programs and films to give background
information to the audience about the setting and the characters involved.
Multi – stranded: this allows the producers to link up narratives using series and
episodes. This encourages viewers to keep up to date as the narrative progresses.
Structure
Structure in story is important as it controls major elements of a story with the plot,
characters, settings, and the theme. Typically, the plot is introduced, a complication
approaches which is also knowns as the climax and the towards the end there is a
resolution. This is also known as Syd Field’s 3-Act Structure. The structure affects

4. meaning in a story by organizing the theme of the writing.
Todorov’s Theory of narrative structure is that narrative has 5 stages. Stage 1 being
the equilibrium where life is just as usual but is the disrupted by stage 2 where
inevitably a problem occurs. In stage three the characters in the film are in the
recognition stage and they think about how to resolve the problem. In stage 4 the
characters figure out a plan and are then in the repair stage where they go and solve
the problem. Lastly in stage 5 there is restoration where the characters return to

5. normal life but in a new state (new equilibrium).
The Hero’s Story
is the common template of a broad category of tales and lore that involves a hero
who goes on an adventure, and in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then comes
home changed or transformed.
Short Film structure:

6. Short film three act structure and the point of no return. Acts in short films, which
work, tend to be three in number, and are not, necessarily, evenly spaced.
Feature film opening sequence
A title sequence is the method by which films or television programs present their
title, and key production and cast members, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. It
typically includes the text of the opening credits, and helps establish the setting and
tone of the program. It may consist of live action, animation, music, still images,
and/or graphics.
Characters
Introduction
Become FamiliarWith
Protagonist
The protagonistisyour maincharacter.This isthe personwhois goingto come face to face withthe
mainconflictof your plotandeithersucceedorfail.Youwant to make sure that yourreaderscan
identifyandempathize withyourprotagonistonanemotional level.
Antagonist

7. Your antagonististhe character that standsinoppositiontoyouprotagonist.Thisistheirobstacle,
theiradversary,theirwhite whale.Itcanbe one person,a groupof people,orevensome type of
internal conflictthatyourprotagonistmustface.
Anti-Hero-
An anti-heroisthe guy(orgirl) thateveryone lovestohate.Theyare nearlyalwaysacentral
character wholacks the traditional attributesof anideal hero.Commoncharactertraitsof an anti-
heroinclude thattheyare oftenamoral,a loner,or a social misfit.
Propscharacter functions
The Seven Character Types of Vladimir Propp
The villain: Locked in a constant struggle with the hero, often trying to harm princess.
The donor: Gives the hero an object or a piece of information that helps them
prepare for what is to come.
The helper: Assists the hero with their quest, often referred to as their 'sidekick'.
The princess: Needs assistance from the hero, usually because they are in some
form of danger, typically the princess is the victim within the narrative.
The dispatcher: Is the character who sends that hero on their mission or quest.
Hero: Reacts to the donor and saves the princess, often resulting in them falling in
love with the princess.

8. False hero: May appear good but has an ulterior motive, or attempts to take credit for
the hero's actions.
Levi Strauss Binary Opposites
These binary opposites help to thicken the plot and further the narrative; and
introduce contrast. For example, in a superhero film this could be good vs. evil, in a
horror film this could be human vs. supernatural, and in a comedy this could be
young vs. old. A problem with binary opposites is that they may oftentimes
perpetuate negative stereotypes. For example, if the binary opposite was man vs.
woman, according to gender stereotypes, the man may be portrayed to be 'strong'

9. whereas the woman is the 'damsel in distress'.
Themes:
Friendship:Literature has shown us the ups and downs of friendship time and time
again – and in most cases, those relationships have changed characters' lives.
Revenge: It is because revenge is such a natural part of human nature that writers
so often use it as their theme. Revenge can easily be an awe-inspiring theme for a
novel because it is something that all people can relate to, whether they know it or
not.
Loyalty: In the Odyssey loyalty is an important theme that influences the entire epic
novel. By its definition loyalty means a feeling of support or allegiance to someone or
something. In this epic is four major examples that convey loyalty, which is shown by
Penelope, Telemachus, the servants, and Odysseus.
Treachery: Betrayal is so important in literature because if it is done correctly it
surprises the reader. It makes them want to know more, to grab the book with two
hungry hands and devour it. Books and films are built on surprise and betrayal
makes an incredible shock.