Do NowDo Now

Apply a narrative theory to the Apply a narrative theory to the posters you have been given.posters you have been given.

Moving Image Moving Image NarrativesNarratives

What is Narrative?What is Narrative?

Narrative is the process of story construction.Narrative is the process of story construction.

It is also how content is selected and arranged in It is also how content is selected and arranged in order to give meaning to the audience.order to give meaning to the audience.

Write 5 things you did over half term (apart from Write 5 things you did over half term (apart from sleep!)sleep!)How do we know which order you did them in?How do we know which order you did them in?

What’s the story..What’s the story..

  Plot: Plot: the term plot is used to describe the term plot is used to describe everything visibly and audibly present in the everything visibly and audibly present in the film narrative. film narrative. The plot can also feature ‘non –diegetic’ The plot can also feature ‘non –diegetic’ techniques such as music, voiceover and techniques such as music, voiceover and text.text.Write down the plot of your film in 5 points.Write down the plot of your film in 5 points.

ExpositionExpositionThe expositionThe exposition is another word for establishing. It sets is another word for establishing. It setsup the film world, characters, setting, era and themes. up the film world, characters, setting, era and themes. The exposition often sets off the chain of events to get theThe exposition often sets off the chain of events to get thenarrative motivation going.narrative motivation going.

The exposition of a film does not necessarily have to startThe exposition of a film does not necessarily have to startat the beginning of a narrative. at the beginning of a narrative.

As we have already mentioned film plots can often beginAs we have already mentioned film plots can often beginin the middle and flashback or forward.in the middle and flashback or forward.

Task: Watch this trailer? What is the exposition?Task: Watch this trailer? What is the exposition?

What is the exposition of your trailer and how is What is the exposition of your trailer and how is told?told?

LinearityLinearity

Linearity/Chronology: simply the Linearity/Chronology: simply the ordering or sequencing of events. ordering or sequencing of events. This is often referred to as the This is often referred to as the narrative structure. Non– linear narrative structure. Non– linear narratives are not told in order. narratives are not told in order.

What other editing techniques do What other editing techniques do filmmakers use to create non-linear filmmakers use to create non-linear narratives?narratives?

Out of order!Out of order!

What do linear and non-linear mean?What do linear and non-linear mean?

Most if not all trailers are told in a non Most if not all trailers are told in a non linear narrative structure. Why?linear narrative structure. Why?

What kind of editing method do trailers What kind of editing method do trailers use?use?

Montage editing Montage editing is used in trailers. is used in trailers. Trailers are a ‘jigsaw puzzle’ that the Trailers are a ‘jigsaw puzzle’ that the audience piece together to make a audience piece together to make a semblance of meaning. The film itself semblance of meaning. The film itself maybe linear but trailers never are.maybe linear but trailers never are.

Time and cause and Time and cause and effecteffect

This refers to the way films are moved This refers to the way films are moved forward by scene or event. This is forward by scene or event. This is otherwise known as motivation.otherwise known as motivation.

For example:For example: Cause-A murder is Cause-A murder is committed. Effect- the police investigatecommitted. Effect- the police investigate

A story takes bits of information and puts A story takes bits of information and puts them together in them together in time time (in chronological or (in chronological or non-chronological order).non-chronological order).

Narrative- Audience Narrative- Audience Manipulation?Manipulation?

Why do filmmakers use narrative in inventive Why do filmmakers use narrative in inventive ways?ways?

To tease audiences.To tease audiences. To mislead them deliberately.To mislead them deliberately. To hold in suspense.To hold in suspense. To be released from suspense.To be released from suspense. Too inform us of a character's past.Too inform us of a character's past. So that we can understand a character's So that we can understand a character's

motivations.motivations.

Trailer ActivityTrailer Activity

Look at the following film trailers, how Look at the following film trailers, how do they reveal important details about do they reveal important details about narrative without giving away the narrative without giving away the whole plot?whole plot?

Even though you might not have seen Even though you might not have seen the film, do most trailers use linear the film, do most trailers use linear narratives or non linear narratives?narratives or non linear narratives?

TASK-TASK- Fill in the sheet in your book Fill in the sheet in your book

whilst watching.whilst watching.

Your trailerYour trailer Make notes on the narrative of your Make notes on the narrative of your

trailer.trailer.

Consider the following:Consider the following: The plotThe plot The exposition.The exposition. Linearity.Linearity. How the narrative is told- filmmaking How the narrative is told- filmmaking

methods, cinematographymethods, cinematography texttext use of sounduse of sound editing.editing.

Task Task

Watch the opening sequence of Watch the opening sequence of ‘Oceans 11’‘Oceans 11’ , , Using your worksheet, note down the Using your worksheet, note down the elements of the narrative structure in how we elements of the narrative structure in how we are introduced to the film and how the story is are introduced to the film and how the story is being told.being told.

How is the diegesis and exposition set up?How is the diegesis and exposition set up? Is it a linear narrative?Is it a linear narrative? Does the editing use time relationship to Does the editing use time relationship to

condense periods of time in order to tell the condense periods of time in order to tell the story better?story better?