Narrative in Film (Structure)

Introduction to Narrative (The study of stories)

When we study narrative we are exploring…

1. The structure/shape of the stories
   1. The big events that push the story forward, causing the characters to act / react.
   2. When and how important story information is revealed.
   3. How the audience is positioned in the story & when we learn important narrative information
2. The characters & their narrative purpose.
3. The themes/messages that the director wants to communicate.
   1. The development of the main character(s) & their epiphany
4. The significance of setting to the story
5. The role of a narrator in highlighting the themes (if applicable)

The 3 Act Narrative Structure

Here is an excellent video about the narrative structure of films which are about the adventures of a heroic figure in a typical Hollywood adventure film.

Task 1 – Describe a simple narrative

Use it to think about the basic narrative structure of a film/story you know well: Monsters Inc, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, The Incredibles, Inside Out…

Remember the story mountain? Apply this in reverse to the story that you have chosen and explain the basic structure of that narrative.

Create a timeline of your own with five stages (use screenshots from the film if possible) Identify the five key stages of the narrative:

• Act 1
  • Ordinary World
  • Disruption
• Act 2
  • The journey or quest.
  • The final struggle or epiphany
• Act 3
  • The restoration or return

Task 2 – The Journey and the Theme

Extension Task (The Dramatic Question & Answer)

Watch this video which further develops the three act structure and defines an act…

Think of an act as the dramatic question it introduces to the story, persisting until the question is answered and the protagonist has made a choice that send them in a new direction.

Consider your story mountain and use this model to map out the dramatic questions, answers and actions which define the acts in your chosen Pixar movies.