Development:
Story Structure and Character(s)
Source: Mr. Snyder snydercommtech.weebly.com/intro-to-narrative-filmmaking-storytelling-through-film.html
Everybody loves a good story!
LESSON: Introduction to Narrative Filmmaking
Great filmmaking has impact and is memorable.
Narrative filmmaking in its simplest form is fictional film that tells a story. The script, filmmaking team and characters have the responsibility to tell a believable and compelling story in a visually interesting way. The objective of a narrative film is to capture the imagination and elicit an emotional response by the audience.
The Illusion of Reality!
A successful film must create the sense that what is happening is real - it's The Illusion of Reality! The audience becomes involved in the story and its characters and makes an emotional commitment. For that moment in time we believe that what we are seeing is actually happening.
Think of the last film you really enjoyed. Were you focussed on the filmmaking techniques such as specific shots, lighting, costumes and the realism of the film etc. Is what you are actually watching possible in the real world? Or were you drawn into the story itself and the lives of the characters and the obstacles they faced as they move through the film? Filmmaking techniques are present but are creative tools to help a creative world of reality - possible or not.
Think about it...
- Why is it that people know they are simply watching a film and not reality.
- Yet people can be captivated and react emotionally while watching a film?
- What are the elements that make for a great film that can captivate us and allow us to become immersed in that world?
LESSON: Everyone Has A Story
Emmanuel Dzotsi tells his Story of how he told his first visual film story - on Tedx
Source: Ted Talks, Emmanuel Dzotsi - Filmmaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AbM9vH2pHk
|
Activity In a Google Doc: 1. Identify "elements or components" that were central to Emmanuel Dzotsi's story? 2. Did you enjoy his story of his first story! If so why? Submit to the D2L folder named "Introduction to Narrative Filmmaking." |
LESSON: Understanding the "3 Act" Story Structure & The Secret to Telling a Great Story
Hollywood's time tested structure of films.
Introduction to Storytelling in filmmaking. The 3 Act Story Structure is much more than just having a beginning, middle and an end - but that is a great beginning!
The 3 Act structure in its simplest form is based on the idea that all story forms (film or books) etc. have to have some structure in order for the audience and readers to be able to follow the story.
In the case of filmmaking stories will almost always follow the "3 Act Story Structure." Although not written in stone, this is a proven and long followed "formula" for filmmaking. In fact, this is not a "formula" but a pattern in filmmaking which audiences have become accustom. Your audience will most likely not notice the structure as they watch films - but that's good because it means they are following the story through its structure.
Source: Darious Britt,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6QD5Pbc50I |
|
LESSON: "Story Arc" of a 3 Act Film
Organizing a overall narrative film into 3 Acts
- Act 1 introduces Setting Characters, Objective
- Act 2 "Plot" of the story develops, Characters commit to a clear challenge or goal, Obstacles and Antagonists are introduced to present conflict and challenges to main character(s), Subplots - secondary stories emerge to add complexity and interest to the overall story. Midpoint is reached where the main character has no option than to confront the conflict.
- Act 3 "All is lost moment." The conflict is now at its peak. Climax of the film is resolving (or not) the Successful completing of the story objective and character relationships come to a climax and conclusion. Perhaps the resolution is the challenge is not met and the Antagonist is victorious - Does not mean it all works out for a "happy ending"
Three-Act Structure - Mountain Chart
ASSIGNMENT: Three-Act Structure
Assignment Overview:
Below are the links to 2 movies. Both are Canadian and free to watch on Youtube. You will complete the “Three-Act Structure - Mountain Chart" as demonstrated on the resource page (https://elsiecommtech.weebly.com/development-story-structure-and-characters.html). You will have to watch the resources on Three-Act Structure first.
1. Film Title: "Breakaway" (Speedy Singh)
It's about a South Asian who enjoys competitive hockey. He and his team must persevere to attempt to win the hockey championship. I would describe as a comedy/drama.
Logline on IMBD:
An ethnic Canadian hockey player struggles against traditional family values and discrimination from mainstream hockey players.
IMBd info on the film:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1736552/
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQVI288L2Q
2. Film Title: "The Trotsky"
It is a romance/drama (not heavy.) This film follows the 3 act structure very well.
Logline on YouTube:
A Montreal high school student who believes he is the reincarnation of Lev Trotsky starts a revolution against apathy among his fellow students.
IMBd info on the film:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1295072/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%2520Trots
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvclm6HxI_Q
Assignment Requirements:
Choose one of the two films above to watch and complete the "Three-Act Structure" as detailed below in the visual. Include the timing (ie: 0:00-5:00mins = Beginning - provide detail about what happens in the beginning) of the events throughout the film as outlined below.
If you would like, you may choose a favourite film of yours (must be school appropriate content) and complete the assignment as required.
Act 1 - Setup
Assignment Overview:
Below are the links to 2 movies. Both are Canadian and free to watch on Youtube. You will complete the “Three-Act Structure - Mountain Chart" as demonstrated on the resource page (https://elsiecommtech.weebly.com/development-story-structure-and-characters.html). You will have to watch the resources on Three-Act Structure first.
1. Film Title: "Breakaway" (Speedy Singh)
It's about a South Asian who enjoys competitive hockey. He and his team must persevere to attempt to win the hockey championship. I would describe as a comedy/drama.
Logline on IMBD:
An ethnic Canadian hockey player struggles against traditional family values and discrimination from mainstream hockey players.
IMBd info on the film:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1736552/
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vQVI288L2Q
2. Film Title: "The Trotsky"
It is a romance/drama (not heavy.) This film follows the 3 act structure very well.
Logline on YouTube:
A Montreal high school student who believes he is the reincarnation of Lev Trotsky starts a revolution against apathy among his fellow students.
IMBd info on the film:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1295072/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%2520Trots
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvclm6HxI_Q
Assignment Requirements:
Choose one of the two films above to watch and complete the "Three-Act Structure" as detailed below in the visual. Include the timing (ie: 0:00-5:00mins = Beginning - provide detail about what happens in the beginning) of the events throughout the film as outlined below.
If you would like, you may choose a favourite film of yours (must be school appropriate content) and complete the assignment as required.
Act 1 - Setup
- Beginning - (ie: 0:00-5:00mins = Beginning - provide detail about what happens in the beginning)
- Inciting Incident
- Second Thoughts
- Plot-Point 1
- Obstacles/Subplots
- First Culmination
- Midpoint (Big Twist)
- Obstacles/Subplots
- Disaster & Crisis
- Plot-Point 2
- Descending Action (& Obstacles)
- Climax
- Wrap-up
LESSON: Character Development
"What's Character Got to Do with It?"
Interview with Aaron Sorkin
Watch the first 20 minutes to learn how Aaron Sorkin writes his characters in films and remember these words "intention and dialogue."
Aaron Sorkin is a Hollywood Producer and Screen writer. He describes his method of screenwriting as it relates to character development and script writing.
Sorkin discusses his thoughts of starting with character before story, his writing style (fast dialogue) and inspiration for ideas.
Source: The Aspen Institute
"Writing Characters that People Care About" Perspective from an epic screenwriter Check him out https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0815070/ |
Guaranteed you know his films: Social Network Few Good Men West Wing And many more |
"How to Make an Audience Care about Your Characters"
Character arc in the film
|
CLASS DISCUSSION: Who are your favourite characters?
Categorize Character Types:
Watch the video below and make note of types of characters that can appear in film.
Source: Samantha Clair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOODHYmpJ6k
Flat - A have limited range or character traits. Character doesn't change throughout the film. The film "comes to them."
Round - Have depth and are complex - they have "layers" to their being. Different range of emotions and reactions. Realistic as to how humans behave.
Dynamic - Character changes during course of the film. They learn lessons along the way that have them transform or evolve in their thinking and interactions with others.
Static - They are under-developed and don't change throughout movie. They are in the film simply to help move the story along.
Protagonist:
The "hero" of a film. Must have one goal they are driven to achieve. At the Climax of the film the Protagonist and Antagonist will confront each other to see who will prevail. The protagonist does not always win the battle (unsuccessful achieving their ultimate goal.) They also have some kind of internal character flaw (fear, greed, jealously...) that will conflict with their ability to achieve their goal. Important to note that the Protagonist is not always a "good" person but the audience must connect with the protagonist and care about their survival and success in their quest for their goal.
The protagonist's goal is what drives the overall story; moves it forward. We follow a film along with the protagonist as we join him/her along their journey to reach their goal. However, the story can be told in first person - through the eyes of the protagonist or in third person where a "person" guides the audience from outside of the story itself (narrator).
Types of Protagonists:
The Hero: The "Good Guy"
Portrays good morals and makes "right" decisions in their quest of their goal. The audience usually like this character and what they stand for - an honourable person.
The Anti-hero
An anti-hero is not a traditional "Good guy" character. They can have serious character flaws that make them not a good person. But the writer may choose to tell the story with anti-hero as the protagonist. The story and conflict centers around a person we may not like but is the central figure of the story. For example, Walter White (Breaking Bad - drug dealer), Mark Zuckerberg (Social Network - aggressive and doesn't play fair.)
False Protagonist
Sometimes the a story begins centered around a character who appears to to be the Protagonist but in reality they are a decoy for the real protagonist. This tends to fool the audience but create interest in the story by adding a twist in the plot. "I didn't see that coming!" At some point in the film the writer may "kill off" the false protagonist. In other situations the false protagonist may become the Antagonist (the enemy of the real protagonist) or simply disappear from the story (probably less satisfying to the audience.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOODHYmpJ6k
Flat - A have limited range or character traits. Character doesn't change throughout the film. The film "comes to them."
Round - Have depth and are complex - they have "layers" to their being. Different range of emotions and reactions. Realistic as to how humans behave.
Dynamic - Character changes during course of the film. They learn lessons along the way that have them transform or evolve in their thinking and interactions with others.
Static - They are under-developed and don't change throughout movie. They are in the film simply to help move the story along.
Protagonist:
The "hero" of a film. Must have one goal they are driven to achieve. At the Climax of the film the Protagonist and Antagonist will confront each other to see who will prevail. The protagonist does not always win the battle (unsuccessful achieving their ultimate goal.) They also have some kind of internal character flaw (fear, greed, jealously...) that will conflict with their ability to achieve their goal. Important to note that the Protagonist is not always a "good" person but the audience must connect with the protagonist and care about their survival and success in their quest for their goal.
The protagonist's goal is what drives the overall story; moves it forward. We follow a film along with the protagonist as we join him/her along their journey to reach their goal. However, the story can be told in first person - through the eyes of the protagonist or in third person where a "person" guides the audience from outside of the story itself (narrator).
Types of Protagonists:
The Hero: The "Good Guy"
Portrays good morals and makes "right" decisions in their quest of their goal. The audience usually like this character and what they stand for - an honourable person.
The Anti-hero
An anti-hero is not a traditional "Good guy" character. They can have serious character flaws that make them not a good person. But the writer may choose to tell the story with anti-hero as the protagonist. The story and conflict centers around a person we may not like but is the central figure of the story. For example, Walter White (Breaking Bad - drug dealer), Mark Zuckerberg (Social Network - aggressive and doesn't play fair.)
False Protagonist
Sometimes the a story begins centered around a character who appears to to be the Protagonist but in reality they are a decoy for the real protagonist. This tends to fool the audience but create interest in the story by adding a twist in the plot. "I didn't see that coming!" At some point in the film the writer may "kill off" the false protagonist. In other situations the false protagonist may become the Antagonist (the enemy of the real protagonist) or simply disappear from the story (probably less satisfying to the audience.)
Types of Antagonists:
Villain
The "bad guy or villain" in a film. The Antagonist stands in the way of the protagonist from achieving their goal. Creates the main conflict in the story with the protagonist. The film centers around this characters battle to thwart the protagonist.
The Co-Creator
The Antagonist isn't always a "bad guy." sometimes their own goals in the film conflict with the goal of the protagonist. It is that struggle between what each wants that makes the person the antagonist instead of simply being mean or evil. They have competing interests.
Inanimate Forces
Sometimes the Antagonist isn't a person but a thing. For example, maybe the protagonist is stranded on a desert island and can't escape (Tom Hanks in Cast Away - yes two words with double meaning), The Shark in Jaws (one could argue it is a character but not inanimate but it makes the point of not always being human)
Protagonist Internal Struggles
The protagonist can also stand in the way of their own ability to reach their goal. Through a personality weaknesses that stops them from pushing on until they overcome the internal torment and struggle.
ASSIGNMENT: Character Analysis
Assignment Overview:
Focusing on the same film you chose for the "Three-Act Structure" assignment, you are required not to complete a character analysis of the main characters in your chosen film.
1. Film Title: "Breakaway" (Speedy Singh)
2. Film Title: "The Trotsky"
3. Or a film or your choice that is school appropriate (unsure, speak to your teacher)
Assignment Requirements:
Identify all of the characters in the film by character name, character type (Protagonist, Antagonist, Sidekick, Mentor, Love Interest) and category (flat, round, dynamic, static)
- ie: Jack Ronan; Protagonist (Hero, Round) then describe in detail the character arc throughout the film