Narrative Structures in Single Camera Production

The narrative of a film relates to the telling of a story through the presentation of events and can be shown in many different ways. In this section, I will be exploring the wide range of techniques you can use to showcase a story, along with the different types. Techniques include the following: 

Linear: Linear narratives is the showing of events in a film, which are set in chronological order and presented in an order in which they occur. This type of narrative will usually have a typical set of events, which will involve a beginning, middle and end, The beginning will typically include an outline or description of what is happening in the overall film and a middle section that involves events that build up towards a climax and an end that includes a resolution. The term linear describes how things are arranged or set into a straight line, which is why the sequence within a linear narrative is set in a progressive, chronological order and follows one singular line of narrative. We could describe the linear narrative using the term 'equilibrium' which describes the calmness of an event. The beginning of a linear narrative will most-likely involve equilibrium, which is then disturbed by a series of events which cause complication, engaging the viewer. An example we could use as disequilibrium in a linear narrative is 'As Above, So Below'. which is about a woman, who has devoted her life to finding the 'Philosophers Stone' and enters the catacombs of Paris to find it. 

The beginning of the story involves a description of Scarlett's desire to find the hidden historical piece and the planning and gathering of the characters who will enter the catacombs. These events are presented calmly and include a touch of humour, which follows the typical sequence of a linear narrative. The equilibrium of these events is then disturbed when the group begin to enter the catacombs, where we are then shown a violent and abrupt fight between them and police. This results in the entrance being destroyed, while also reducing their chance of exiting the catacombs. This can be called the disequilibrium, where it is no longer calm and events build up towards a climax. In the film, the group then experience a number of occurrences and then understand that they are actually in hell and decide to work towards getting out. The ending includes the remaining characters admitting to their sins and finally finding an exit, which is the resolution to the overall story, meaning it is following the sequence of a typical linear structure. 

This is a good example of a linear narrative where everything is different by the end due to  something being realised or a lesson being learnt, where characters have suffered a consequence. In 'As Above, So Below', Scarlett learns the hard way, that there is no physical stone and that the power is within her and her faith in God. After this, she stops looking for the stone and continues a life with the stones power. However, a different type of linear narrative is when everything goes back to normal after the disequilibrium, as if nothing was learnt. An example we could use is 'The Simpsons', where Homer experiences disequilibrium in each episode but continues as normal after the resolution and is never reminded of the event in the following episode. But this isn't the only way in which stories are ended, we also have 'open' or 'closed' endings.  

Open endings usually leave you uncertain about a particular character's fate due to something being left unresolved. This is a great technique when it comes to maintaining the audience of your film as they are left guessing and debating long after the film has finished. Open endings also allow for a continuation for the film, or a sequel. Open endings are different from cliff hangers, as this is when a film ends in the middle of action, with no clear resolution, whereas open-endings provide a solution but leave elements unresolved. An example of this could be the ending of 'Stranger Things' season 1, which is about a creature who escapes an alternative dimension and abducts a boy named Will Byers. The resolution to the series involved the boy being found and the creature being killed, however we are left with an open ending as Will is seen to be left with abnormal symptoms after being rescued from the Upside Down in the last few scenes. This gives audiences the idea that there will be potential continuation of the particular film.

Closed endings are seen as a satisfying way to end a film, where audiences are left without confusion or ideas of what will happen next. Resolutions are given to all disequilibriums within a closed ending film, meaning audiences aren't given any hints about a continuation/sequel. This could be seen as a disadvantage as it prevents audiences from watching a part 2, as they wont be expecting or wanting it. An example we could use is is 'Nerve' which follows a hard-working high school senior who lives in the shadow of her popular friend. In order to escape this shadow, she leaves her comfort zone by becoming a player in the reality online game "Nerve" the game ends up taking over her whole personal life and she becomes a prisoner of the game. The resolution to this disequilibrium is that the game gets deleted and she is free. All the disequilibrium is eventually solved without any unsolved issues and she continues her life free from the game. 

Now back onto types of narratives;

Non-Linear: Non-linear narratives are used to play with the audiences expectations and to make them figure out for themselves what's going on. Non-linear narratives are the complete opposite of linear narratives, where events are NOT shown in chronological order. Non-linear narratives are linear narratives, except each of the events are mixed up or set in a reverse-chronological order. An example we could use as a non-linear narrative is 'Memento', which is a crime drama that follows a man who is suffering from a rare form of memory loss and is also trying to track down the murderer of his wife. This is a very good example of a non-linear narrative as the film follows two different narratives. One of the narratives is set in black and white, while the other one is in colour. The coloured perspective is also shown in reverse and is broken up to take turns with the black and white narrative. The two narratives end up meeting at the end of the film, where the end of the black and white narrative is shown and the coloured narratives begins. This is a great technique when it comes to the endings of non-linear narratives, where all the narratives involved meet at the end. 

Realist: Realist films are reflections of reality that are being reproduced by cameras. Excessive editing is usually kept to a minimum in realist films, as filmmakers aim to create a relation of film to reality. This type of cinematography doesn't require a lot of equipment or special effects, due to the target of recreating events that we might see in our everyday lives. Realist productions will also aim to include little colour grading or none at all and will include ambience or background noise to simulate what we hear normally. An example of a realist production we could use is 'EastEnders', which is a serial that focuses on the daily lives of local residents and includes numerous realist elements. The serial does not include exaggerated special effects or cinematography, instead it uses natural lighting and basic editing. These factors add to the realism of the overall production, by using lifelike settings and presenting characters who are just ordinary people. 

Anti-realist: Anti-realist films are a type of cinematography that completely defies reality and usually uses excessive special effects and background music to enhance the particular emotion of a scene. Anti-realist films could be seen as a more interesting way of showcasing a story and can give audiences the chance to temporarily escape reality. This type of cinematography recreates scenes that we can only imagine and also uses background soundtracks to link to the films genre, which we wouldn't experience in real life. An example of an anti-realist single camera production is 'The Cabin in the Woods', which is a comedy-horror that follows a group of teenagers as they take a trip to a secluded cabin where they fall victim to a number of supernatural creatures. 

The film includes many unrealistic elements that include its characters, setting and overall atmosphere. The film includes a wide range of background music that matches to the current mood of the scene and colour grading and lighting to emphasise the portrayed emotion. This adds to the anti-realism of the overall film as the scenes are exaggerated to capture the audience and to make them feel more involved. The events that take place throughout the film mostly include a dark tone and atmosphere to emphasise how they are unknowingly approaching their deaths, whereas in a realist film, we would usually use natural lighting. The aim of anti-realist films is to completely defy reality, which is why the film designs their characters to be supernatural and uses VFX to add to the anti-realism. This film is only one of the minor example of anti-realist films. Another anti-realist film we could mention, that uses extreme VFX and exaggerated anti-realist settings and characters (e.g. talking animals) is 'Alice In Wonderland' which was made using single camera production throughout the whole film.