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Understanding Classical Narrative Structure

The document discusses the classical narrative structure that is commonly used in Hollywood films. It describes the three act structure including Act I which sets up the story and characters, Act II which adds complications and obstacles, and Act III where the main conflict reaches a climax and is resolved, providing closure.

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9 views1 page

Understanding Classical Narrative Structure

The document discusses the classical narrative structure that is commonly used in Hollywood films. It describes the three act structure including Act I which sets up the story and characters, Act II which adds complications and obstacles, and Act III where the main conflict reaches a climax and is resolved, providing closure.

Uploaded by

ram_unltd1518
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Pacific Cinmathque

the on-line production resource at Pacific Cinmathque


THE LANGUAGE OF FILM > NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
[Link]
Classical Narrative Structure
The Classical Narrative Structure is called this because it is the way most movi
es are
made in Hollywood. It s the most common structure of storytelling in mainstream ?l
ms.
It s based on a three-act format that organizes story in the following way:
Act I - The Setup
Here, we are introduced to the main characters in the story, their goals, and th
e obstacles
they are likely to face to achieve their objectives. The main con?ict in the sto
ry is
introduced, as well as the major antagonist (the villain) who will stand in the
way of
the protagonist s (the hero s) objectives.
We can call Act I in a movie the Hook. It sets up the story so that the ?lm enga
ges the
attention of the audience and suggests the story s likely development. Act I gener
ally
takes up about one-quarter of the ?lm s total length.
Act II - The Development
Here, plot complications are added to the story. An increasing sense of urgency
is created
when the main characters encounter obstacles that stand in the way of their jour
ney.
The second act generally occupies the middle two-quarters of the ?lm and it ofte
n
includes a false resolution to the main con?ict set up in Act I. Once the false
resolution
has been encountered, the action in the movie generally points inevitably toward
a necessary climax.
Throughout Act II, Cause-Effect Relationships propel the main characters along.
Causeeffect
relationships involve actions that force a reaction on the part of some characte
r,
leading to a new action and reaction and so on.
Act III - The Resolution
In the ?nal segment of the ?lm, the results of the story s main con?ict come to dr
amatic
confrontation. This is called the Climax. It is the point where key struggles ar
e waged
and an eventual victor is determined. In Hollywood ?lms, needless to say, the ev
entual
victor is usually our hero.
Following the climax, Closure is introduced into the story, which simply means t
hat all
the major con?icts, issue, or ideas in the story are resolved. The so-called Holl
ywood
ending is the most popular kind of closure in the classical narrative structure.
Films
with this kind of conclusion usually close with a sense that the protagonists in
the ?lm
live happily ever after.
Excerpted and adapted from Visual Storytelling and Narrative Structure Film Stud
y Guide

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