Just going to write up the notes I took from this lecture.
Plot vs Narrative
We started by talking about the difference between plot and narrative. I am left a little confused, as I took a bunch of notes on what Shaun was telling us, but after reading up about it, the definition I have found elsewhere is quite different. Shaun was saying how narrative encompasses everything inside a film; that they contain characters, conflict and plot. And a plot was, well, the only note I have is "a film can have several plots". Anyway, after reading up about it, I found that this quote was once said by someone:
"He [E.M Forster] observed that if we write “The king died, and the queen died,” we have a narrative, but if we write, instead, “The king died, and the queen died of grief,” then we have a plot. The second assertion has established a link of cause between the two events. And this, the making of connections, or designs, is the essence of storytelling. Narrative is simply a record of what happened. For narrative to become a plot must reveal its meaning in human terms. Events only become interesting, which is to say relevant to our understanding of life"
This seems very different, and, to be honest, easier for me to understand. I'll ask Shaun about it.
We talked about the different things that go into a story. A story should also have a protagonist - the good guy that the film revolves around, who faces conflict; and also an antagonist. This character is the bad guy that causes problems for the protagonist, and creates conflict; A film should contain conflict, both internal and external. I'll go into this later in the post. Finally, a film should contain plot. Freitag's pyramid sums this up.
Plot
(this picture here unfortunately leaves out the 'inciting incident' point)
Exposition
This sets the scene and the circumstances of the film, the time and the place, giving the audience back ground information that you need to understand the film. Characters are introduced, telling you what their goals and motivations are. It sets the tone - comedic, satire, tragedy etc.. And introduces theme - the point of view of the film. For example, it could be about the injustice in society, or the nature of truth.
Inciting incident
This is the point in the film where something happens to incite action and begin creating conflict.
Conflict
This is plot complications, obstacles to the attainment of the goals. There is two types of conflict: internal conflict, firstly. This is person verses self. For instance, a boy debating in his head weather or not to cheat on an exam. Then there is external conflict, which is itself separated into three sections: person vs person (David and Goliath) person vs nature (man stuck on an island) person verses culture (racism).
Rising Action
This occurs simultaneously with conflict. For example, a girl wishes to have a later curfew, but her parents are reluctant to allow it. Her grades begin to slip, she gets into a fight etc.. This is rising conflict.
Climax
This is the highest point of tension in a story, a characters decision/action makes the outcome of a film inevitable.
Falling Action
In comedy, this is known as 'resolution'. You find out what happens to the characters with their goals. In tragedy it is known as a catastrophe, and is usually something awful, like someone dying.
Denoument
This ties loose ends in the film up, and is a fancy word for 'conclusion'.
I found a lot of useful information on the subject here
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jerichoschools.org%2FHS%2Fteachers%2Flfischer%2Felementsofplot.ppt&rct=j&q=elements+of+a+story+exposition+internal+conflict&ei=CpD3Sub9OM624QbQoMXXAw&usg=AFQjCNGiszffijjR07mo93isBbxx_mTc-A
Narrative
Wilkens et al (2004) argues that narrative is:
“A chain of events related by cause and effect occurring
in space and time and involving some agency or
intentionality”
An agency is usually the characters or narrator, they move the narrative along.
I'm going to try to watch Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' tommorow, as it is aparently a very good example of linear narrative. An example of non-linear narrative would be pulp fiction, however I have watched that into the ground.
Brief
• Produce an interactive narrative using still images positioned onto the Timeline in
Flash CS3
• This interactive narrative should utilise a branching structure that forces the user to
make a number of decisions as they progress through the narrative piece
• Narrative should be the primary concern
The Rules:
• You will need to have at least ten still images to complete your interactive narrative
• It is important that image, text, and audio are seriously examined in an attempt to
truly consider audience engagement and interaction
• You should use ActionScript 3.0 to build interactivity and the navigation structure
into your movie. (A simple ActionScript template will be provided)
• You MUST publish your final movie as an SWF.
• This is an individual assignment
Deal breaker
Plot vs Narrative
We started by talking about the difference between plot and narrative. I am left a little confused, as I took a bunch of notes on what Shaun was telling us, but after reading up about it, the definition I have found elsewhere is quite different. Shaun was saying how narrative encompasses everything inside a film; that they contain characters, conflict and plot. And a plot was, well, the only note I have is "a film can have several plots". Anyway, after reading up about it, I found that this quote was once said by someone:
"He [E.M Forster] observed that if we write “The king died, and the queen died,” we have a narrative, but if we write, instead, “The king died, and the queen died of grief,” then we have a plot. The second assertion has established a link of cause between the two events. And this, the making of connections, or designs, is the essence of storytelling. Narrative is simply a record of what happened. For narrative to become a plot must reveal its meaning in human terms. Events only become interesting, which is to say relevant to our understanding of life"
This seems very different, and, to be honest, easier for me to understand. I'll ask Shaun about it.
We talked about the different things that go into a story. A story should also have a protagonist - the good guy that the film revolves around, who faces conflict; and also an antagonist. This character is the bad guy that causes problems for the protagonist, and creates conflict; A film should contain conflict, both internal and external. I'll go into this later in the post. Finally, a film should contain plot. Freitag's pyramid sums this up.
Plot
(this picture here unfortunately leaves out the 'inciting incident' point)
Exposition
This sets the scene and the circumstances of the film, the time and the place, giving the audience back ground information that you need to understand the film. Characters are introduced, telling you what their goals and motivations are. It sets the tone - comedic, satire, tragedy etc.. And introduces theme - the point of view of the film. For example, it could be about the injustice in society, or the nature of truth.
Inciting incident
This is the point in the film where something happens to incite action and begin creating conflict.
Conflict
This is plot complications, obstacles to the attainment of the goals. There is two types of conflict: internal conflict, firstly. This is person verses self. For instance, a boy debating in his head weather or not to cheat on an exam. Then there is external conflict, which is itself separated into three sections: person vs person (David and Goliath) person vs nature (man stuck on an island) person verses culture (racism).
Rising Action
This occurs simultaneously with conflict. For example, a girl wishes to have a later curfew, but her parents are reluctant to allow it. Her grades begin to slip, she gets into a fight etc.. This is rising conflict.
Climax
This is the highest point of tension in a story, a characters decision/action makes the outcome of a film inevitable.
Falling Action
In comedy, this is known as 'resolution'. You find out what happens to the characters with their goals. In tragedy it is known as a catastrophe, and is usually something awful, like someone dying.
Denoument
This ties loose ends in the film up, and is a fancy word for 'conclusion'.
I found a lot of useful information on the subject here
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jerichoschools.org%2FHS%2Fteachers%2Flfischer%2Felementsofplot.ppt&rct=j&q=elements+of+a+story+exposition+internal+conflict&ei=CpD3Sub9OM624QbQoMXXAw&usg=AFQjCNGiszffijjR07mo93isBbxx_mTc-A
Narrative
Wilkens et al (2004) argues that narrative is:
“A chain of events related by cause and effect occurring
in space and time and involving some agency or
intentionality”
An agency is usually the characters or narrator, they move the narrative along.
I'm going to try to watch Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' tommorow, as it is aparently a very good example of linear narrative. An example of non-linear narrative would be pulp fiction, however I have watched that into the ground.
Brief
• Produce an interactive narrative using still images positioned onto the Timeline in
Flash CS3
• This interactive narrative should utilise a branching structure that forces the user to
make a number of decisions as they progress through the narrative piece
• Narrative should be the primary concern
The Rules:
• You will need to have at least ten still images to complete your interactive narrative
• It is important that image, text, and audio are seriously examined in an attempt to
truly consider audience engagement and interaction
• You should use ActionScript 3.0 to build interactivity and the navigation structure
into your movie. (A simple ActionScript template will be provided)
• You MUST publish your final movie as an SWF.
• This is an individual assignment
Deal breaker
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