Narrative

2. Starter Task
Define the following terms: (Provide examples for terms
2 & 3)
1. NARRATIVE
2. NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE
3. LINEAR NARRATIVE

3. Starter Task
NARRATIVE
Refers to the STRUCTURE of a film. Narrative does not
refer to PLOT/STORY.
Narrative is the organisation of scenes with the goal
being a coherent telling of a STORY
NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE
Refers to narrative that place the scenes in an non-
chronological order.
MIDDLE – BEGINNING -END
LINEAR NARRATIVE
Refers to narrative that place the scenes in
chronological order creating a sense of realism –
this is essential if a film is to be considered
SOCIALLY REALIST
BEGINNING – MIDDLE - END
Linear Narratives are useful
for our study because they
rely on a system of CAUSE
AND EFFECT
What does this mean?

4. Learning Objectives
Identify key terms:
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Realist Narrative
Apply these theories to both of our focus films
Evaluate the ways the narrative structures of each
film reflect and comment upon the key social issues
(Messages and Values)

5. CAUSE & EFFECT
CAUSE AND EFFECT
… is the relation between an EVENT
(cause) and a SECOND EVENT (effect)
This means the first EVENT is responsible
for the SECOND EVENT
By applying this logic to Bullet
Boy and Get Carter we can link
the very structure of the film to
the social issues we have
studied
Event 1
leads to…
Event 2,
which
leads to…
Event 3 -
Conclusion

6. Watch the following sequence and consider the
following:
• Which event begins the chain of events that leads to
Ricky’s death?
• Which event leads to Curtis finding the gun and
attempting to emulate Ricky?
• What significance does the car accident with Godfrey
have on the chain of events that follow?
CAUSE & EFFECT

7. CAUSE & EFFECT
The first major event(CAUSE) is Wisdom picking up
Ricky from jail
Ricky is immediately re-introduced to the criminal
environment – Wisdom gives Ricky the drugs he
smokes and literally delivers him in to the centre of
the Criminal Environment
Wisdom also ridicules Ricky because he considers
abandoning crime and getting a job
He presents the opportunity to re-enter the criminal
world with the promise of work
His reminder that Ricky owes him is the CAUSE of
Ricky being with Wisdom when he shoots Godfrey’s
dog
Major Themes:
Environments influence on
the young men
Cycles of Violence
are reflected in the
structure (Narrative) of
the film

8. CAUSE & EFFECT
It is not just the obvious plot points that propel a
films narrative
Events that may seem insignificant may have a major
impact on the narrative later on in the film
If Ricky had not been picked up by Wisdom then the
following wouldn’t have happened:
Godfrey’s car crash
Godfrey’s dog being shot
Curtis finding the gun
Curtis shooting Rio
Wisdom attempting to murder Godfrey
Ricky’s death
Major Themes:
Environments influence on
the young men
Cycles of Violence
are reflected in the
structure (Narrative) of
the film

9. CAUSE & EFFECT
Curtis emulates Ricky when he smokes drugs
CRIME IS BEING TAUGHT TO YOUNGER GENREATION
The EFFECT of this is Curtis taking the gun
Which directly causes Rio to be shot
The structure of Curtis’ narrative further reflects the
major themes:
The CAUSE and EFFECT narrative of Bullet Boy
enhances the realism of the film and also highlights
the key themes / social issues that the film raises
Major Themes:
Environments influence on
the young men
Cycles of Violence
are reflected in the
structure (Narrative) of
the film

10. Using the information you have create TWO Flow charts
that depict the following:
The chain of events that leads to Ricky’s death
The chain of events that leads to Curtis throwing the
gun in a canal
You must now write FOUR paragraphs answering the
following question:
In what way does the narrative of Bullet Boy reflect the
key messages and values of the film?
CAUSE & EFFECT

11. Watch the following sequence and consider the
following:
• What is the first Cause (Event) that sets of the chain
of events leading to Carter’s death?
• Once in Newcastle how does Carter begin to
determine the chain of events?
• What are the main differences between the CAUSE
and EFFECT narratives of Get Carter and Bullet boy?
CAUSE & EFFECT

12. CAUSE & EFFECT
Bullet Boy’s Cause and Effect narrative increases the
realism of the film
The causes of most events leading to Ricky’s death
are out of his control. Ricky is unable to control his
own fate as he is tied to Wisdom through his
perceived debt
This debt, a result of Ricky’s development within the
Criminal Environment, keeps Ricky in Hackney and at
Wisdom’s side during he main events that lead to his
death
The environment has shaped Ricky’s world view, his
sense of priority and has trapped him. Mostly by
events outside of his control – he is AFFECTED BY
THE ENVIRONMENT

13. CAUSE & EFFECT
Carter is the main ‘agent’ in the CAUSE AND EFFECT
narrative of Get Carter
Once in Newcastle Carter is driven by his desire to
maintain STATUS
His treatment of women causes many more events
and they play a significant role in Carter’s attempt to
reinforce STATUS
His murder of Margaret and Glenda demonstrates
his view women are inferior (reflecting many social
attitudes of the time) and drives the narrative
forward
Carter changes his environment and CAUSES most of
the events leading to his death
Carter’s narrative
reflects the view that
Carter and men like
him, who share the
same views of women
and men’s place in
society, are outdated
and their actions will
lead to their death (in
reality: old held views
are not forward
thinking and will
eventually fade way

14. CAUSE & EFFECT
Carter goes North(EFFECT) after his brother Frank is
murdered (Cause)
Once in Newcastle Carter begins to dictate the chain
of events and CAUSES a lot of the events that lead to
his death
He is the one who questions Margaret
He then goes to Kinnear and causes a significant
rivalry
He kills Glenda
And in an attempt to Kill Eric he is himself Murdered

15. REALIST Narrative
Cause and effect narratives are an essential
component of REALIST NARRAIVES
Annette Kuhn defined realist narrative as:
• CAUSE AND EFFECT events working towards a
clearly defined GOAL
• High Degree of ‘closure’ (A strong sense of
beginning and end)
• The fictional world created truthfulness – in a
way that it treats time and space – to what we
know
• Characters are PSYCHOLOGICALLY ROUNDED and
believable

16. Using the information you have create ONE flow chart
that depict the following:
The chain of events that leads to Carter’s death
You must now write THREE paragraphs answering the
following question:
In what way does the narrative of GET CARTER reflect
the key messages and values of the film?
CAUSE & EFFECT

17. REALIST Narrative
Realist Narrative can be achieved by employing the
following techniques:
Creating a realistic world made up identifiable
characters, locations and environments
Filmmakers often employ non-actors to play
supporting or background roles
They use conversational speech (slang etc)
Simplify editing, camerawork, lighting etc to create
a ‘style-less’ style
All of these methods are used to create a natural
and ultimately realistic world

18. REALIST Narrative
Working in pairs create a list of the ways the realism
of both films is created
Consider all aspects of the film and all of the MICRO
ELEMENTS
• Mise-en-scene
• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound
• Performance

19. REALIST Narrative
Bullet Boy – REALISM
• Mise-en-scene
• Dialogue / slang / colloquialisms
• Avoidance of Stereotypes
• Cause and Effect nature of the narrative
• REPRESENTATION OF MEN AND WOMEN
Representation of the Criminal Environment

20. REALIST Narrative
Get Carter– REALISM
• Mise-en-scene
• Dialogue / slang / colloquialisms
• Avoidance of Stereotypes
• Cause and Effect nature of the narrative
• REPRESENTATION OF MEN AND WOMEN
Representation of the Criminal Environment
• North / South Divide
Best reflected by the train journey and the ‘Marching Band
sequence’