When creating a short film, the narrative has to be shortened in order for the film to be of a short length. To help us with our narrative when it comes to the production of our short film, I have decided to compare a narrative of a short film as well as from a television episode. I am looking at a television episode as they are almost like snippets of one big film, containing narratives which as a result create one big narrative; in which case the narrative structure of a television episode also has to be relatively short. By comparing the two it enables me to see what elements are featured within each narrative to ultimately give us an understanding hot how we should structure our narrative for our short film. Basic Narrative StructureShort Film NarrativeAs short films are of a limited length, the narrative needs to be restricted and more simpler in order to execute the story line successfully to audiences. I have decided to look at a narrative of a short film from the horror genre to help us construct our narrative, knowing what to include and how much to include. 'Bedtime'Exposition = Beguins with mother reading a bed time story to her younger daughter, establishing the setting of the film being in a family home, and the main protagonists being the family made up of the mum and daughter. Rising Action= The daughter is reluctant to go to bed, appearing to be scared of something and asks to keep the light on as she goes to bed. This now creates a new centre of tension where the rest of the narrative stems off. Climax = The mother returns to the room after the daughter cries for her help, in doing so, the build up of tension suspense builds due to the fear of the unknown, adding to the thrill of the narrative. When checking under the bed she finds a duplicate of her daughter, appearing frightened at the girl on top of the bed. Falling Action= As a result of the 'monster' under the bed the mother is then attacked, addressing the arising suspense and adhering to the thriller element of the film. Dénouement = The new normal is now created. Instead of a peaceful family evening, the harmonious relationship between mother and daughter has been disrupted due a monster under the bed, changing the events of the night. As the short film is of a limited time, being only over 2 minutes long, it can be recognised as a challenging task to form a basic narrative structure and fit it all in. However by looking at the short film 'Bed Time' it exemplifies the need to adhere to a basic narrative structure in order to execute the storyline securely and effectively. Television Episode NarrativeTelevision episodes have narrative structures known as a 'story arc' being an extended or continuing story line prolonged through episodes creating the narrative arc. In this case narratives within a tv episode are unlikely to follow the basic narrative structure as the whole narrative itself is spread across several episodes. In which case the stages of narrative may be slower and less obvious than in a short film, for example the rising action may occur in the second episode of a series. I've decided to look at a narrative from a tv episode also from the horror genre to compare to the short film and see the differences between the structure of the two narratives. American Horror Story: Episode 21) The episode starts in 1968, introducing two nurses who are studying for their test. This is the exposition, however only to this particular scene as the two nurses are not recurring characters in the series. The nurses greeted by a mystery man; the rising action. This man then threatens the two creating the climax of this particular scene. The two girls are brutally murdered and are left in the house to haunt other residents in later years. In this scene alone, the basic narrative structure is created. However as it is only one scene, it can be seen a television episodes narrative consists of lots of other narratives creating one whole story line.
2) The narrative then moves on to present time, focusing on the main characters of the series. The Dr is talking to his new patient about her illness, creating the exposition for the rest of the episode. 3) The next scene, shows the Dr meeting a girl who he previously had an affair with discussing the future for her pregnancy, creating the exposition again which will later unravel towards the rising action and climax which will take place later on in the series. 4) The Doctor's patient has broken into his home in an attempt to recreate the break in previously seen at the start of the episode, creating the climax 5) The episode finishes, with the three people who broke into the house murdered, creating the denouement, as the setting and tone of the episode has changed. However many parts of the narrative are still unfinished and unanswered, for example the pregnancy, therefore the narrative must continue in later episodes. Comments are closed.
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AuthorsMolly Broad Archives
February 2016
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