1. Narrative
“I like a film to have a beginning, a
middle and an end, but not
necessarily in that order”
Jean-Luc Godard

2. Narrative
• This area of study is about stories and how
the films tells them.
• The narrative vision is inspired through story
elements, and production elements
• Film narrative relies on
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•
•
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Setting being established.
Characters being developed.
An engaging plot
A beginning, middle and end (equilibrium and
disequilibrium)
• Climaxes in the story

3. Narrative Structures:
LINEAR
• The Simplest narrative form is the linear narrative:
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium
New
Equilibrium
• The linear narrative structure runs chronologically,
with events happening in order in which the
characters experience them.

4. Narrative Structure:
CIRCULAR
• In a circular narrative, the action begins and ends at the same
point.
Equilibrium
(text begins here)
Climax resolution
Trigger
Disequilibrium
• A popular variation of this narrative structure is the flashback
where the narrative begins at the climax and then seeks to
illustrate how this point was reached.

5. Narrative Structure: NON-
LINEAR
• Non-linear narratives are structured seemingly
randomly, but as each scene unfolds it will gradually
order the events.
equilibrium
‘zone of disequilibrium’
equilibrium
• Flash forward and even reverse telling of events are
methods of structuring story time.
• Note: Not all narratives end in equilibrium.

6. The Narrative Equation
• In the media, the term narrative is understood to
include the story, it’s construction and the
relationship between the audience and the text.
Story
Elements
Production
Elements
Audience
• All of the elements that create a narrative are as
important as each other.
• It is important to think of the elements both
individually and in conjunction with each other.

7. Story Elements
Non-technical elements that contribute to the structure of the film.
• Setting
• Time Period
• Characters
– Establishment
– Development
– Relationships
• Narrative possibilities
• Multiple storylines
– Links between
– Effects on each other
• Narrative progression
• Structuring of time
– Order, duration,
frequency
– Contraction and
expansion
– Linear and non-linear
• Cause and Effect
– Character motivation
• Point(s) of view
– Character
– Other
• Genre

8. Production Elements
Technical elements that contribute to the construction of the film.
• Camera
– Shot types
– Movement
– focus
• Film stock/ Video
• Lighting
– Naturalistic
– Expressive
– Types
• Visual Composition
• Acting
• Sound
– Diegetic and nondiegetic
– Dialogue
– Music
– Sound effects
• Editing
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–
–
–
Vision
Sound
Design
Styles
• Special effects

9. Audience Elements
The audience’s role in the narrative experience.
• Expectation
– Advertising
– Reviews
– Word of mouth
• Experience and knowledge of:
–
–
–
–
Genre
Director
Actors
Production Values
• Reception context
– Location
– Purpose for seeing text
– Cost