So this weeks topic is … narrative, so what is it?
A narrative is a retelling of a sequence of events, which all builds progression to a resolution. This progression is also a cause and effect motion which follows the logic of the narrative. Narratives are a way for us to structure meaning together, it in a way also circulate in a culture to make stories valid and predictable.
The representations and themes that occur in narratives often link to our culture, for example in our culture today gay rights are being more acceptable and therefore our storytelling has begun to match that. Movies involving or about same sex relationships are much more common now than say 50 years ago.
Key elements of a narrative
- controlling ideas
- characters
- conflict (competing goals)
- structure (progression)
- character change/growth
narrative codes often include suspense or ambiguity, setting, engaging the viewers attention, revealing a character, furthering the plot. A story is action and a story make action meaningful, it controls an idea and point to showcase what it has to say and in some ways it can prove or demonstrate an idea.
The structure and progression of a narrative often is established via the 3 act film which organises sorry material. Number 1: establishes the set up, Number 2: escalates complication and obstacles (this is usually where the protagonist is as their lowest point) and Number 3: is the climax or confrontation and resolution.
Often because this structure has become so well used and widely known it has become hard for independent styles to make it because this format has in a way become the only format for film. More often than not its the independent or short films that don’t always follow this method whereas all the big blockbusters follow this 3 act film.
