Narrative Structure (Discussion)

Classical Hollywood cinema

Choose a classical film that everyone in your group has seen. Explain how it fits the classical implementation of:

1. Single protagonist
2. Exposition
3. Motivation
4. Narrative enigma
5. Cause-effect chain
   • Story time versus screen time--in terms of duration and order
6. Climax
7. Resolution

Group examples

• G1: Star Wars: New Hope
• G2: Lion King
• G3: Aladdin
• G4: The Wizard of Oz
• G5: Mean Girls
• G6: Harry Potter ep 1
• G7: Forrest Gump
• G8: Dark Knight

The television series

Break down the _________ episode from __________ (____________).

How many scenes does it have?

Explain how it does or does not exemplify conventional television-series narrative structure:

1. G2 and G5: Multiple protagonists
2. G2 and G5: Exposition
3. G3 and G6: Motivation
4. G3 and G6: Narrative problematic
5. G4 and G7: Cause-effect chain
6. G1 and G8: Climax
7. G1 and G8: Resolution

The television serial

• Contrast the serial with the series. Aside from the obvious lack of resolution in the serial, name (and be prepared to explain) three differences between the two in terms of narrative elements.
  • Provide examples from TV serials with which you're familiar.

Bibliography

1. Jeremy G. Butler, Television: Critical Methods and Applications (New York: Routledge, 2012).
2. TV Tropes: listing of numerous narrative conventions.