This document defines key narrative concepts for short films such as plot, story, and narrative range and depth. It explains that a narrative is a chain of causally linked events occurring over time, while the story includes background details and the plot comprises just the incorporated story events. Narrative range can be unrestricted, providing unlimited information, or restricted, offering minimal information, and narrative depth can involve subjective or objective character identification.

1. Narrative Conventions in Short Film

2. Narrative
 Definition by Bordwell & Thompson, Film Art, 1980. ‘A
chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring
in time.’

3. Story
 An event told for entertainment which is referenced explicitly in
a narrative. This can include a back story as well as beyond
the action. For example, a character mentions an event and
this leads on to another story.

4. Plot
 The order of events directly incorporated into the action of the
text.

5. Narrative Range
Unrestricted
 A narrative which has no
limits to the information that is
presented.
 For example, a
Restricted
 Offers minimal information
that is presented.
 For example, a

6. Narrative Depth
Subjective Character
Identification
 The audience is given unique
access to what the characters
see and do.
Objective Character
Identification
 The audience is given unique
access to a characters point
of view such as thoughts,
feelings, memories, fantasies
etc.