Collaboration: Film Lecture 3 - Structural Theories and Storytelling

 Today's lesson was about understanding linear structure storytelling, this can be done using the 3/5 act layout.

 Syd Field created the modern act structure for visual storytelling, empathizing each act has to be as important as the previous and are of equal balance.

ACT 1 - The Story Set Up (Exposition): This contains the Inciting Incident and the First Plot Point. 

 Inciting Incident - The kick off point, this is where all the characters and events/ environment is introduced.

 First Plot Point - An event in which the hero take son the central problem.

ACT 2 - The Confrontation (Obstacles): Here the main character faces increasing and intense problems

  First Culmination - This is normally about halfway though the film, and is the heros first attempt at solving the issue. However, this never works out.

  Mid Point - Otherwise known as the big gloom, the hero is at their lowest point. Obstacles and problems seem to intense/ overwhelming.

  Plot Point 2 - This is the solution to PP1, and shows a change in direction.

  Climax - Happens just before Act 3, and is the maximum tension point.

ACT 3 - This part has 2 Denouncements and heads toward finalizing the story.

  Denouement 1: Twist - A surprising twist added towards the end.

  Denouement 2: Resolution -  The calmer part of the story heading towards the end.

  Following on from this, we had the 5 act structure where all the beats of the 3 acts can be placed into 5 stages. Storytelling can have more then five act, some films have been know to have 25.

  Linear stories follows one character throughout their journey. Disaster films (common in the 1980's) such as "speed are perfect examples of this. 

  Story structures can have different plot to story ratios, "Perfect" stories will have a 50/50 ratio. A common problem is the "McGuffin", these are useless items that can be used to kick of an adventure. Films such as Transformers are more plot based, where a Radio Days(1987) is more story.

(Those with the highest Story ratio is more character driven,  where as more plot based has a more action feel).

There are 2 other story telling structures; Non-leaner plots and Mini Plots. Mini Plots is when several stories come together, where as Non-Leaner work in the opposite structure to Linear (most often found int he 90's).

When it comes to endings, Robert McKee created a triangle diagram to understand how they can lead to  next film installments. 

Closed Endings: This is when all loose ends are tied up and nothing is left to allow a sequel.

Partial Endings: Gives a small indication that something is left unresolved.

Open Ending: Nothing is solved and the adventure continues.

Dante's peak (1997)

A ticking time bomb film, Dante's Peak follows a Volcanologist (Gary) as he investigates a pending volcanic explosion by the town of Dante's Peak. Traumatized from a previous experience and the lose of his fiance, he is ignored until it too late.

Act 1:

  Meets Gary (main character), running in to save wife from volcano and people running around covered in ash (flash back set up).

Inciting Incident:

  4 years later, given information of volcanic disturbances around Dantes Peck. Goes to investigates.

Plot Point 1:

  Getting the acidity readings of water and finding the two boiled bodies in the hot springs. Stopping the boy from jumping in the boiling spring.

Act 2:

  Volcano starts erupting and the towns people panic. The town starts to fall apart, cars crashing and the main characters struggle to get though the chaos to get the kids. All thr towns folks try to leave and the bridge collapses, blocking off the exit. Kids leave in car up the mountain and they follow, ash covers everything.

First Culmination:

  Stuck on the boat whilst its melts. Engine prop burns away, panic ensues as boat sinks. Grandma jumps in the water and gets covered in acid.

Mid Point:

Grandma succumbs to her burns and passes away.

Plot Point 2:

Army arrives in town and manages evacuate the towns folk as the volcano continues to erupt.

Climax:

  Volcano fully explodes, ash and fire cloud rips though the town, obliterating it. They become trapped in the mine, the collapsing mine trapping Gary in the car.

Act 3:

Denouement: Resolution

Main character's are saved from the mine following activating E.L.F in the car. 

  In terms of ending, this one is partly closed. Although it doesn't give a continuation of the current event, it does carry on with a newly formed relationship and family.