The document discusses narrative structure in film, emphasizing the importance of interesting characters, a compelling concept, and a clear beginning, middle, and end. It defines the three acts of a narrative: setup, conflict, and resolution, alongside the role of plot points that advance the story. The lesson includes analyzing the non-linear narrative of the film 'Memento' and requires identifying acts and plot points during the screening.

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 Memento.
I want you to fill in the work-sheet as you’re
watching:
• identify what happens in each act
• what the plot points are
• What is the beginning & the end?

19. Film Screening

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?