Classical Narrative and Structure Short Film Scriptwriting

Aims Students will be able to: -Explain what classical narrative is -Explain the basic principles of classical narrative -Analyse a the principles of classical narrative in a story -Apply the analysis of classical narrative in films

What is narrative? Narrative is how events of a story are put together. It is what has been included, what has been left out, what has been emphasized.

Narrative A car crash takes a split second. A narrative account, however, might be almost entirely about the crash itself and the few seconds leading up to it.

About classical narrative It is a number of principles and conventions used to tell a dramatic story It was used on ancient theatre by Aristotle The word ‘drama’ comes from ancient Greek meaning ‘to do’ The amphitheatre in Verona, Italy could host more than 30,000 spectators in ancient times.

The Principles

The Protagonist It concentrates around a single character: the protagonist The protagonist has a clear goal

The Antagonist There is an antagonist (obstacle/s) who opposes the protagonist The antagonist goal is to stop the protagonist achieving her/his goal

Conflict The conflict is a struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist There is a journey in which a protagonist always change at the end

Conflict The action has to escalate and intensify The stakes have to raise The protagonist has to be placed in a dangerous position – out of her/his depth The protagonist has to be taken to her/his limit

Types of Conflicts Relational Conflict Situational Conflict Inner Conflict Paranormal Conflict Cosmic Conflict Social Conflict

Activity

Structure This is how the story is organised It is designed in a three part structure: Beginning (exposition) Middle (complication) End (resolution)

3-Act Structure in Films The concept of Three Act Structure is fundamental to a successful screenplay. Based on a two- hour/120 pages, a film should follow a three- act structure: Set-up, Confrontation, and Resolution

3-Act Structure in a 120 minute film Pages 1-30 Pages Pages

Activity

Act I – The Set up Sets up the place and atmosphere of the story Introduces the protagonist and her/his world It establishes the dramatic premise It establishes the relationship with the main characters

Act II - Confrontation It includes the obstacles and challenges that the protagonist has to overcome to reach a final goal This is anything that threaten the protagonist to progress

Act III - Resolution The resolution of the conflict and/ or the final outcome of the story Has the protagonist reach her/his goal?

Plot points It is any incident, episode or event that spins the action in another direction They are key moments of irreversible change in the story in which the protagonist cannot return to the life he/she previously had These shape the protagonist destiny They help link the beginning, the middle and end of a scrip

Climax It is the final moment in which the journey is resolved in one way or the other It is the maximum point of tension in a script

Review What is narrative? Explain the structure in classical narrative What are the fundamental principles of classical narrative? How do you create an engaging dramatic conflict?

All drama is conflict Without conflict you have no character Without character you have no action Without action you have no story Without story you have no screenplay

Remember Without a conflict, there is no drama