This document discusses different types of narrative structures, including linear, non-linear, and realist vs anti-realist narratives. It also covers common narrative techniques like flashbacks, open vs closed endings, and the use of technical elements such as camera shots, lighting, sound, and editing to help tell a story. Finally, it briefly mentions story arcs, audience positioning, and some narrative theories.

1. Narrative Structures
Linear
 Chronological order of events – this is when the narrative goes
from the start, middle then end.
 There is a single starting point, which may lead to multiple
developments and outcomes.
 Linear productionshelpsthe audience to have an
understanding of the story which makessense as the story
starts from the beginning through to the end.
Non-linear
 Eventsare out of chronological order, or in other words the
narrativedoes not follow the pattern of the events. This could
be dream sequences, flashbacks, and flash-forwards etc.
 Some television series use non-linear narratives as a narrative
hook in the first episodes, this could be an intenseor shocking
event, and then go back to the pastand show events leadingup
to what happened. A good example of this is The Missing.
 Another reason a non-linear narrativeis used is to show how
the human memory recallsevents.
Flashbacks
 A flashback is a scene that jumpsthe narrative back in time
from the currentpointin the story. Flashbacks are often used
to recountevents that have happened beforea sequenceof
events to fill in the backstory.
 Used to cohere a story, develop a character, or add structure to
the narrative.
Realist
Realist narrativesare story lines that are believable by that audience
because they appear real or a based on a true story that has
happened in the past.

2. Anti-realist
Anti-realist is a narrativethat is not realistically filmed and
structured. These dramasmay use a lot of after effects.
Ends
Open
Multiplenarrativestrandswith no clear resolution. Often seen in
soap operas. May be used to intrigue audience and let them form
their own conclusion.
Closed
A clear resolution to the narrative.
High degreeof narrativeclosure.
Technical elements
Camera
 Master shot - Used to set the scene or location
 Close up - Used to show emotion of character
 Medium shot - Shows the body language of the character
 Zoom - crash zoom can be used to give information as slow can
increase the tension
 Tracking shot - camera moveswith the action inside of a pan
movement
 Shallow/deep focus - shallow focusis when only a few objects
are in focusto the audiencewhist deep focusis everything in
focus
 High/low angle - high angle looks down aslow angle looks up.
Can show importanceof characters
Lighting
 High key - very bright light e.g. Shows something positive
 Low key - low lighting e.g. Addstension
 Naturallighting - daylight
 Hard - strong and powerfullight e.g. Addsnegative emotions
 Soft - soft lighting e.g. Addspositiveemotions

3. Sound
 Diegetic - sound that has been placed within the film. If the
character can hear it.
 Non-diegetic - the characters cannot hear it within the film but
the audiencecan. E.g. Music
 Dialogue- diegetic sound
 Music- non-diegetic
 Sound affects - non-diegetic/diegetic (used in differentpoints
for reasons)
 The mix - how all the soundsaremixed together
 Sound perspective - some soundsareincrease to a scene to add
tension, emotion or drama
Editing
 Continuity -scenes flows seamlessly
 Crosscutting/parallel editing - two pieces of film that happen
at the same time but are joined together
 Elliptical editing- a pause. Cutfrom a scene to another but has
pushed the time forward; issuingapart of the story that isn't
needed.
 Cutaways - cuts that add meaningsto the story
 Use of montage - shows of passingof time
 Split screen
Scripting, Buildingascene, Buildinga story
PropsTheory - character typein stories
Tvzetan Todorov - Suggests narrative is simply equilibrium,
disequilibrium and new equilibrium

4. Story Arcs
Purposeof a story arc is to move a character it a situation from state
to another.
Positioning of the audience
The narrativehas position the audienceinto a particular relationship
with the character on the screen
How is this achieved?
 P.O.V shots
 Editing techniques