Narrative Structures

Narrative Structures

The narrative structure of a film or television show refers to the overall arrangement of the story's content; this determines how the story is told which impacts the way the audience interprets it. This includes features such as the story content, the plot and the elements used to deliver the story. The narrative structure is important as it determines the way the audience chooses to see characters and any occurring events. 

There are different narrative structures that can be used for storytelling, such as:

Linear

A linear narrative delivers all events in a chronological order - in the order that each event happens. Quite often flashbacks can be seen as nonlinear, however in some films they can include a flashback yet simply jump back to where the events continues, therefore making it linear. 

Soap operas are always told in a linear narrative, as they focus on the every day lives of the character as they experience and portray events as each day goes by.

An example of a linear narrative would be 'Casino'. Although the ending is revealed right at the beginning, the main characters continue to tell the story 10 years prior to the ending, telling the events leading up to it. Therefore, the events are told in a chronological order by multiple points of view, even though the audience can tell there won'y be a happy ending judging by how the characters narrate at the beginning.

Nonlinear

Films can also be told in a nonlinear narrative, which is where events are shown in a non-chronological order; the beginning, middle and end are still shown but not in that particular order. This can include cutting back and forth in time. 

An example of a nonlinear film could be The Godfather Part II as it jumps back and forth between the past and present showing events with the main character's father when he was young, to show the audience how he rose to power. This is also to show how gaining power affected the father and son differently, showing how different their intentions were. 

Although, nonlinear narratives can be harder for the audience to follow, it is an effective way of keeping viewers engaged in the characters and the story as they will want to watch all the way to the end to find out why particular events happened. 

Flashbacks

Flashbacks refer to showing a small section of the story by jumping either earlier or later on in the character's life/story. The story will often then continue on from the original beginning once that part is shown.

For example, in 'I Am Legend', the past of the main character is revealed through flashbacks which are shown throughout the film, not only is it revealing information about his family but it tells the audience more about the situation he is in and why he is alone. 

Realist

Films must produce a certain level of realism. Although, there are social realism films that are primarily based on real life situations and issues which mainly cast unknown actors, all films must have a sense of realism to it. 

For films such as superhero movies, the audience must be/are often aware of what types of powers they already have, however breaking those rules later on in the film would make it too unrealistic.

Realist narratives therefore focus on the everyday lives that the audience is fond of, and what types of issues ordinary people face every day.

'Juno' is a film that contains social realism matters, which is teenage pregnancy in a low social class. Although it contains comedic elements and a fairly popular cast, it still has realistic features which the audience can relate to as it highlights the issues that society faces, e.g. adoption, teenage pregnancy, lower class families/differences in social classes coming together. 

Anti Realist

Anti-realist narratives are able to portray events that the audience know could not happen in real life. 

Even though superhero films have people do unnatural things, there are still things that characters can and can't do, which displays its own sense of realism. 

Open Endings

An open ending leaves the plot unresolved, therefore providing the audience with the implication that the story is unfinished, possibly leading to it being continued later on, or even an unresolved plot. 


 



 An example of an open ending in a film would be 'Stand Up Guys'. During the ending scene, the two main characters who were ex gangsters are involved in a final shootout. However, the film ends at that point, not showing who does and doesn't live. 



 

Another example of an open ending in a television show could be The Sopranos. Right before the show ends, you see each member of the family join the main character in the diner one by one. While this happens a mysterious looking man is showed to be focused on the main character. Just as the last member of the family opens the door to the diner, the  last shot you see is of the main character looking up. This leaves the audience questioning whether or not the mysterious man was out to kill the main character and his family or not. 

Closed Endings


 
A closed ending would simply draw the narrative to a close; giving no implication as to whether or not the story may continue. An example of a closed ending could be the television show 'Sons of Anarchy', where all the events leading up to the main character's death implies that there is no reason for the show to continue.