Structure types
- 1. Structure types: Structure is important towards storytelling as this is the process where communication is used to tell the story to the audience so they are aware of the events that occur. Without the use of structure a story falls apart and may not make sense, both feature and short films follow a structure type called the ‘Three Act Structure’ created by Syd Field an American screenwriting author, the structure consist of a clear understanding of an introduction introducing the film, the rising action involving conflict/problem usually appearing in the middle and finally the resolution being a clear ending of the film. Short filmshave averysimilarsturtcure towardsfeature filmsastheybothincludedthe introduction,risingaction,andresolutionfollowingthe simple threeactstructre . on the otherhand short storysmuststart the immediatelywithouthavinglongtitlesequencesthisisbecause the time frame shortstorys have comparedto feature films.Everyhtingisintroducedandestablished includingthe settingandmaincharaterssothe audinace are aware whoto track. Todorov 5 stage imply about linear narrative, this includes with the narrative starting with an equilibrium, where an action or character interferes with the equilibrium, the equilibrium is followed up by the narrative following towards the climax. Once the Climax has been established the resolution occurs and a new equilibrium can be restored or created once again. Equilibrium Disequilibrium Acknowledgement Solving Equilibrium Joseph Campbell, The Hero’s Journey is where a new character explores and goes further into depth in comparison with the ‘Three Act Structure’ this involves a twelve stages with Campbell creating another seventeen stages without Campbell’s discovery and research there would be less stages the order if the stages may not always be in the same order but are used to a certain extent. The Departure Act The Initiation Act The Return Act
- 2. Characters: Within the Narrative characters are mostly important as this is what the narrative revolves around, the characters displays recognisable traits so that the audience are able to empathise with them and understand what and why the characters are involved with. The Hero and Anti- Hero are established building the films setting. Vladimir Propp analysed the structural elements of Russian folk tales implying that characters makes the story, stories are character driven with the plot developing with the characters actions, he also claims characters are classed into certain roles making the story progress further such as the following. The Hero – the person on the quest The Villain – struggles against the hero The Donor – prepares the hero for their quest The Sidekick – offers to help the hero in their quest The Princess – the person who the hero marries The Dispatcher – the person that sends the hero on their quest The Oracle – an older, wise figure who provides information or clues to the hero The False Hero – takes credit for the hero’s actions Levi-Strauss' Levi has a theory of binary opposites is his theory in which he believes that in most films there are characters who oppose the main character. This could be an evil villain vs. superhero, humans vs. a ghost etc. The characters are complete opposites which is why there is conflict in the story. Themes Theme is the central meaning of narrative as it tell the audience what the story tells, theme is displayed though the characters actions and motions also the dialogue used, once the viewer is able to identify the narrative within theme they are able to make their own conclusion about the current scene of narrative. There are various amounts of themes which carry between which media is being use. Crime drama
- 3. Theme is addressed through crime usually through mistrust, family mental health and revenge, these themes make an interesting plot within the theme of crime drama, which is often revolve around murder or deceit. Teen drama Themes include friendship, relationships, loyalty, brotherhood and the coming of age, all are involved in making an interesting film within teen drama themes Comedy drama Comedies are involved with various themes depending if they are a type of dark comedy, or they evolve in dark themes such as seen in crime drama, natural comedy will normally evolve around sex, friendship, and other lighter themes Analysis on short film The fly The fly is a comedy short film with its lead actor playing its role through a character with no dialogue. When the fly enters the scene and begins to distract the driver he throws his arms in the air statically like a child would interfere with one. The fly is portrayed as the hero in the short film as the driver the villain. The film is based inside and the surroundings of the car which is parked outside of a bank. The lighting is brightly toned contrasting the event and genre of the film is based. Once the fly has made it its mission is distract the driver the actor uses everyday items such as coffee cups as he trays to capture it. We can see a drastic change in the actor when he begin to shoot the fly with his gun and destroy the gateway car drawing more attention to himself and the robbery taking place as he suddenly forgets due to the fly’s circumstances. The fly is drawn to be a silent film. With the introduction it is clear it begins with a close up with the characters head facing downwards on the steering wheel with movements of tapping with his fingers, the views are shown a keys in the ignition with a symbol meaning the character is in some way dreamer with a rabbit’s foot. The use of diegetic sounds in the film is the buzzing of the fly, along with non-diegetic sounds throughout the man’s struggle with the fly. The targeted audience for the film is aimed towards older 15 and over this is due to the attention to detail on blood and violence with the title of the film coming in large bold red colour placed in front of a black and white background implying superheroes and marvel which this film is far from. There are lots of quick shots when the driver is trying to kill the fly because it conveys how fast the fly was moving. Also, the driver makes a lot of noise when trying to kill the fly such as when the airbag comes up and when he’s using his gun. He’s supposed to be keeping very quiet and undistracted, so it shows how the fly has power over him. Maniac Maniac is a short film created by a small product crew, the film is aim it towards two serial killers as they attempt to murder 8 people each in one night the. There is little dialogue use between the characters but the audience are still able to understan d the narrative of the storyline as this is done through the visuals effects of the cameras. Both camera work and the actor's facial expressions, The short film implies dark natured mood towards the story. The hand-held camera is shown as shaky as this gives the audience a sight of a more realistic and personal feel to the visuals
- 4. making viewers feel like real. The colour grading scheme of the film is also an influential factor in the film's mood making it easier for the viewer to understand; it is desaturated, but still allows some colour to come through, mainly with the fire. Light out The short film Lights Out would come under the genre of horror but it also may be classed as a ghost film if referring to sub-genres. This short film is based in a house at night time of day this is the similar setting compared with other horror films. Throughout the whole film, the audience are kept on the edges of their seat as they make the woman seem very vulnerable throughout. The film contains various amount of technical and audio codes used which are commonly used in horror films. This includes creepy non-diegetic music which comes at the jump scares, dim lighting and dark colours reinforcing the move genre of horror. The camera angles such as the close-up of the woman under the covers, putting the audience in her situation as neither her nor the audience know what’s outside the covers Comparison The cinematography of the film compared are different this is towards the hand-held camera and moving shot s such as pan and track shown Maniac. They both have different genre but fit similar to each other. The main character is a woman alone in her apartment, she is stereotyped to be a helpless girl who can do nothing but hide throughout the whole film. We are able to detect the character is scarred through her facial expression. Audiences have high expectations for genre. This means that when they go to see a horror film, they’re expecting the film to make them scared. If it doesn’t, the film has failed in being a horror film and the audience won’t be pleased with the film. Conclusion In conclusion the stylistic codes and conventions are important towards creating a film as without these the film doesn't fit into a genre and the audience won’t have an idea of where the story is heading leading them have slight confusion throughout the film.