{ Basic Film Elements Purpose, Plot, Characterization

 No matter what form a story takes, it adheres to a formula that has been around since storytelling began. This formula calls for every story to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. In theory this sounds simple. In practice, however, it’s not always that easy. Classic Story Structure

BeginningMiddleEnd Introduction of main characters Set up the crisis/crises Catalyst that sets the story in motion Central problem gets bigger Conflict and complications lead to crisis Characters face their toughest obstacles Resolution – characters will either succeed or fail Visualizing a story

 The words “story” and “plot” are often used interchangeably, but it isn’t that same thing. They are nonetheless dependent on each other’s presence when it comes to writing a good script.  Let’s say that your friends ask you what your film is going to be about or what the recent book/movie you saw is about. How would you answer the question? Story vs. Plot

 “It’s about…” – a one-liner summary of the type of tale it is without giving away any of the specifics on where the characters came from or where they’re going next.  When you can explain the gist of your film in one sentence, you’re talking about the story. Story

 Let’s say your friend is still curious about the book/film. The next questions they will probably ask will be about how certain instances of the story came about.  Any question that queries how a situation happened to come about or how it is going to unfold in the future is answered in terms of the plot. Plot

 So basically…  A story is a one-line synopsis of the book/film.  A plot gives the beginning, middle, and end of the film with how the situations have or will unfold in a short description. Story vs. Plot

Exposition: Provides background information and sets the tone for the conflict. Here the setting and characters are introduced. Exposition: Provides background information and sets the tone for the conflict. Here the setting and characters are introduced. Rising Action: This begins when the conflict is introduced and continues as the conflict intensifies. Rising Action: This begins when the conflict is introduced and continues as the conflict intensifies. Climax: The emotional high point of the story. The Turning point. Climax: The emotional high point of the story. The Turning point. Falling Action: Follows the climax and leads toward the end of the story Falling Action: Follows the climax and leads toward the end of the story Resolution/Denouement: Presents the final outcome of the story Resolution/Denouement: Presents the final outcome of the story Parts of Plot Explained

Freytag’s Pyramid

 Indirect Characterization: Characterizing characters through actions, thoughts, the reactions of others. This is SHOWING not telling.  Direct Characterization: The author or character tells you what a character is. Characterization

InformativePersuasive to informto persuade to describeto convince to defineto influence to reviewto argue to notifyto recommend to instructto change to adviseto advocate to announceto urge to demonstrateto defend to illustrateto justify to support Purpose The purpose of an author or film can usually be filled into one of three categories: Informative, Persuasive, Explanatory. To the right are good sentence roots to develop purpose statements.

 Is the piece trying to explain, inform, or persuade? What? Why? And How? Key Purpose Questions

 Let’s identify the purposes of these two commercials.

 Plot each Pixar Short. Include what happens during each part of the pyramid.  Exposition  Rising Action  Climax  Falling Action  Resolution Pixar Shorts

Poetry within a Visual Medium

 Even Poetry has a beginning, middle, and end.  How did the poet make is point?  His words? What about his words?  Did the visuals have an impact? How?  Does having a visual component add or take away from the message or purpose of the poem?  Message=The moral  Purpose=Reason for writing or creating their piece