Classical Narrative and Structure Short Film Scriptwriting .
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Transcript of Classical Narrative and Structure Short Film Scriptwriting .
Classical Narrative and
Structure Short Film Scriptwriting
http://flic.kr/p/buoLYU
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.
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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
Structure
• This is how the story is organised• It is designed in a three part structure:
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 a120 minute film
Pages 1-30 Pages 31-90 Pages 91-120
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