Story Elements

STORY ELEMENTS

The opening development and resolution of the narrative: Narrative possibilities are the way the narrative may go, depending on the cause and effect. This is looked at in terms of how ideas and issues are established in the context of the opening sequence. This is how the director engages an audience. The opening sequence is the sequence of shots, which begins the film. It is a very important part, as the audience must be engaged from the start. It also sets up the characters and their relationships for the rest of the film. It introduces the setting and its relationship to the characters. It is during the opening sequence that narrative possibilities are usually set up. This means that you gain understanding of where the storylines may lead. This is combined with expectations, issues and ideas.

Characters: The establishment and development of characters including their motivations, what they say and do and how they interact and relate with others. It also deals with the way they look, act and function within a setting, scene or frame. Important to understand the similarities and differences between characters and their relationships.

Setting: Important to help create an atmosphere. Also adds relevance and realism within a scene.

Storylines: Refers to the main storyline or ones that develop to stem from it. It involves any conflicts or resolutions, motivations or ideas that come from the main storyline. Generally there are multiple storylines within a narrative. Be familiar with how they connect or differ from another. Some stories are related while others are not connected at all.

Time: Looks at the order and structure in which events occur, how long they occur for and how often. Many films also deal with time in a non-linear way. How time is dealt with and presented to the audience can have a huge impact on how it is interpreted.

Cause and effect: A text usually begins with one event or situation, something happens to alter or change it. Finally, a new situation arises as a consequence, which ends the narrative.

Point(s) of view: Who is telling the story? Also need to consider that the point of view may not always be from a character, but other areas of the text or even the audience.