a film about dugans
Dramatic Structure in Film
Chapter 3: Fictional and Dramatic Elements
The Elements of a Good Story
Unified Plot (storyline)
Carefully selected and arranged to make relationship to theme clear
Single thread of continuous action (casual relationship)
With sub-plots and complexities that make the otherwise simple story interesting
Rejection of chance, coincidental or miraculous happenings.
Plot
Exceptions (episodic plots)
e.g..:Monte Python and the Holy Grail, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Kill Bill Vol. 1-2, Forest Gump, (and on a grander scheme): Star Wars & Harry Potter are examples
A lot of television works within an episodic narrative.
Focus on a unique character(s) a series of events .. related through the character not unity of action
Focus on a process (documentary)
Episodic Narrative = real life.
Forest Gump
The Elements of a Good Story
Credibility
Externally Observable Truths
Stories that occur within the “laws of probability or necessity”.
Based on evidence from the world around us.
Humans are flawed and the interest lies in how they resolve their conflicts.
Gosford Park, Frida, or American Beauty
Credibility
Internal Truths of Human Nature (Universal Truths)
“The good guys always win”, “Love conquers all”.
Concept of “Poetic Justice” .
Satisfy a human need to believe in a universal truth.
Maid in Manhattan, You’ve Got Mail, High Fidelity, High Noon and most classic westerns.
Artistic Semblance of Truth
Imaginary world that appears totally believable
Demands the clear establishment of a unique “world” within which “certain laws of behavior or action” are valid.
Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Matrix, Superman, Spiderman, The Wizard of Oz, Planet of the Apes, King Kong
Elements of a Good Story
Common Interest
“A film may shock us, frustrate us, puzzle us, or even offend us, but it must never bore us.”
Removal of irrelevant information and distracting details.
Suspense & Action are two ways filmmakers capture
Chapter 3: Fictional and Dramatic Elements
The Elements of a Good Story
Unified Plot (storyline)
Carefully selected and arranged to make relationship to theme clear
Single thread of continuous action (casual relationship)
With sub-plots and complexities that make the otherwise simple story interesting
Rejection of chance, coincidental or miraculous happenings.
Plot
Exceptions (episodic plots)
e.g..:Monte Python and the Holy Grail, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Kill Bill Vol. 1-2, Forest Gump, (and on a grander scheme): Star Wars & Harry Potter are examples
A lot of television works within an episodic narrative.
Focus on a unique character(s) a series of events .. related through the character not unity of action
Focus on a process (documentary)
Episodic Narrative = real life.
Forest Gump
The Elements of a Good Story
Credibility
Externally Observable Truths
Stories that occur within the “laws of probability or necessity”.
Based on evidence from the world around us.
Humans are flawed and the interest lies in how they resolve their conflicts.
Gosford Park, Frida, or American Beauty
Credibility
Internal Truths of Human Nature (Universal Truths)
“The good guys always win”, “Love conquers all”.
Concept of “Poetic Justice” .
Satisfy a human need to believe in a universal truth.
Maid in Manhattan, You’ve Got Mail, High Fidelity, High Noon and most classic westerns.
Artistic Semblance of Truth
Imaginary world that appears totally believable
Demands the clear establishment of a unique “world” within which “certain laws of behavior or action” are valid.
Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Matrix, Superman, Spiderman, The Wizard of Oz, Planet of the Apes, King Kong
Elements of a Good Story
Common Interest
“A film may shock us, frustrate us, puzzle us, or even offend us, but it must never bore us.”
Removal of irrelevant information and distracting details.
Suspense & Action are two ways filmmakers capture