This document discusses narrative structure in film. It begins by defining a narrative as a story and noting that stories are important for single camera productions. Narratives typically have interesting characters, a good concept, drama, action, a beginning, middle, and end, and exciting plot points. Film narratives are usually split into three acts: the setup in the first third, the conflict in the second third, and the resolution in the final third. Plot points occur at the end of each act to move the story forward. Narratives can be either linear, telling the story in chronological order, or non-linear, telling it out of order. Examples of both types of narratives are analyzed.

1. TV & Video
Short Film

2. Last week
What were we looking at last week?

3. This week
We’re going to look at narrative structure.

4. By the end of today, you
MUST understand what a narrative is
SHOULD explain the difference between
linear and non linear narratives
COULD explain what plot points are

5. Intro
What is a narrative structure.

6. A narrative is a story
Stories are the driving force behind a good
single camera production.
But what do we expect a story to have?

7. Good narratives have….
• Interesting & believable characters
• A good concept (the idea)
• Drama!
• Action!
• A beginning, middle & end
• Exciting plot points

8. Film narratives are like a good burger
They’re split into 3 different parts.
We call each of these parts “acts”

9. Film narratives are like a good burger
They’re split into 3 different parts
The first 3rd of the
film is the setup:
Its where we meet
the characters and
find out what the
basic stories
premise is ….
30 minutes

10. Film narratives are like a good burger
They’re split into 3 different parts
The second 3rd of
the film is the
conflict:
Its where the main
character has to
fight against
increasing odds to
get what they
want….
30 - 60
minutes

11. Film narratives are like a good burger
They’re split into 3 different parts
The final 3rd of the
film is the resolution:
Its where the story
wraps up, and our
characters get to the
end of their journey
30 minutes

12. Plot points
At the end of act 1 &
act 2 is a plot point.
A plot point is
something that
happens which
moves the story
forward in a new &
interesting way.

13. Plot points
Lets look at the plot
points in Batman Begins.
At the end of act 1 Bruce
Wayne returns to
Gotham and becomes
Batman.
At the end of act 2 Ra’s
Al Ghul returns to
Gotham and burns down
Wayne Manor.

14. All stories have a timeline,
a chronological order.
As film-makers though, do we need to tell the story
in the order in which it happens?

15. As film-makers we can edit it
together in the order we want.

16. We can choose to tell it
in the order it happens….
A linear narrative

17. Or out of order…
A non-linear narrative

18. Today
We’re going to look at two narrative
examples.
Make notes as you’re watching:
• identify what happens
• what the plot points are
• How do we know what narrative each
story is?

19. Film Screenings
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4HUy
dk0kII
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwCE
E7m38VM

20. Feedback
What did we learn about the
narrative structure?
• Is it linear, or non linear?
• How were the beginning &
end related?
• What were the plot points?

21. TASK: On your Powerpoint
If you haven’t already write about:
1. what single camera filming is
2. What the difference is between a serial, series
and single
3. What genres are, explaining 3 different genres
Write about:
- Linear narrative
- Non-linear narrative
- Plot points