1. Narrative

2. What is Narrative? The process of story construction The process of story construction Allows the viewer/reader to construct meaning Allows the viewer/reader to construct meaning How material is selected and arranged in order to give meaning to the audience. How material is selected and arranged in order to give meaning to the audience.

3. What’s the story.. Story: the story is the basic chronological order of events. The story can also be referred to as the ‘diegesis’ and is everything in the narrative including the information that is inferred and not explicitly seen (background information from a voiceover etc). Story: the story is the basic chronological order of events. The story can also be referred to as the ‘diegesis’ and is everything in the narrative including the information that is inferred and not explicitly seen (background information from a voiceover etc). Plot: the term plot is used to describe everything visibly and audibly present in the film narrative. The plot can also feature ‘non –diegetic’ techniques such as music, voiceover and text. Plot: the term plot is used to describe everything visibly and audibly present in the film narrative. The plot can also feature ‘non –diegetic’ techniques such as music, voiceover and text.

4. Out of order! Linearity/Chronology: simply the ordering or sequencing of events. This is often referred to as the narrative structure. Non– linear narratives are not told in order. Linearity/Chronology: simply the ordering or sequencing of events. This is often referred to as the narrative structure. Non– linear narratives are not told in order. Filmmakers will use editing techniques like flashbacks and forwards or cross—cutting to ‘jumble up’ the narrative form, e.g— ‘Titanic’ or ‘Pulp Fiction’. Filmmakers will use editing techniques like flashbacks and forwards or cross—cutting to ‘jumble up’ the narrative form, e.g— ‘Titanic’ or ‘Pulp Fiction’. Can you think of any others? Can you think of any others? TASK – Put the events from Red Riding Hood in the correct order. This is establishing the diegesis (or story) as we commonly know it. TASK – Put the events from Red Riding Hood in the correct order. This is establishing the diegesis (or story) as we commonly know it.

5. Exposition The exposition is another word for establishing. It sets up the film world, characters, setting, era and themes. The exposition often sets off the chain of events to get the narrative motivation going. The exposition of a film does not necessarily have to start at the beginning of a narrative. As we have already mentioned film plots can often begin in the middle and flashback or forward. TASK - Watch this example from the opening of ‘Run Lola Run’.

6. Time and cause and effect This refers to the way films are moved forward by scene or event. This is otherwise known as motivation. This refers to the way films are moved forward by scene or event. This is otherwise known as motivation. A story takes bits of information and puts them together in time (in chronological or non- chronolgical order). A story takes bits of information and puts them together in time (in chronological or non- chronolgical order).

7. Narrative- Audience Manipulation? Why do filmmakers use narrative in inventive ways? Why do filmmakers use narrative in inventive ways? To tease audiences. To tease audiences. To mislead them deliberately. To mislead them deliberately. To hold in suspense. To hold in suspense. To be released from suspense. To be released from suspense. Too inform us of a character's past. Too inform us of a character's past. So that we can understand a character's motivations. So that we can understand a character's motivations.

8. Task Watch the opening sequence of ‘Oceans 11’, Using your worksheet, note down the elements of the narrative structure in how we are introduced to the film and how the story is being told. Watch the opening sequence of ‘Oceans 11’, Using your worksheet, note down the elements of the narrative structure in how we are introduced to the film and how the story is being told. How is the diegesis and exposition set up? How is the diegesis and exposition set up? Is it a linear narrative? Is it a linear narrative? Does the editing use time relationship to condense periods of time in order to tell the story better? Does the editing use time relationship to condense periods of time in order to tell the story better?

9. Trailer Activity Look at the following film trailers, how do they reveal important details about narrative without giving away the whole plot? Look at the following film trailers, how do they reveal important details about narrative without giving away the whole plot? Even though you might not have seen the film, do most trailers use linear narratives or non linear narratives? Even though you might not have seen the film, do most trailers use linear narratives or non linear narratives? TASK- Fill in the sheet in your induction book whilst watching. TASK- Fill in the sheet in your induction book whilst watching.