Week 5 - Response to Content

The language of film & the Construction of Meaning

What are the Narrative Conventions and why are they important to classic Hollywood Cinema?

A narrative is the way in which the plot is told to the audience. “Narrative is usually considered as one of the most established forms of mediation between the self and community.” (Biti, V 2008) The first narrative convention is: human centered. It is told from single characters point of view and delivers storyline to the audience. The character will grows through film and develops from start to finish.

The next narrative convention is: Is driven by desire. It is very important to have in a film; it gives the character a reason to do something or a goal to achieve. It is usally based on needs and fears. The character generally wants something, needs something to survive or a fear so they can complete an act.

After desire is: Is built on opposition and conflict this is the tension and the heart of any good narrative.

Actions/events are linked in a chain of cause and effect is next. In the story line someone poses a question and the character has to answer that question. This action always deals with a cause and effect relationship.

Following cause and effect is: dominated by the clear and complete motivation of action and event. This allows having a much clearer understanding of the story. It answers the question: why is the character doing what it’s doing. The character is clearly motivated at all times.

Tends to have an objective or omniscient narration is dominated by a strong scene of closure. In classic Hollywood films they are usually not opened ended, they will have a scene of closure to keep the audience satisfied. 

References

Biti,V 2008, Narrative Idenification, Arcadia, Vol. 43, Is. 1 P28, via ProQuest Central