Classical Narrative and

Structure Short Film Scriptwriting

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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