Narrative Structure (Discussion)

Classical Hollywood cinema

Choose a classical film that everyone in your group has seen. Explain how it fits the classical implementation of:

1. Single protagonist
2. Exposition
3. Motivation
4. Narrative enigma
5. Cause-effect chain
6. Climax
7. Resolution

Group examples

• G1: Finding Nemo
• G2: Anchorman
• G3: Lion King
• G4: The Hangover

The television series

Break down the "Rudy's Sick" episode from the Cosby Show (13 December 1984) -- view all shots.

How many scenes does it have?

Explain how it does or does not exemplify conventional television-series narrative structure:

1. Multiple protagonists
2. Exposition
3. Motivation
4. Narrative problematic
5. Cause-effect chain
6. Climax
7. Resolution

The television serial

How does the serial differ from the series in terms of narrative components?

Bibliography

1. Butler, Jeremy G. Television: Critical Methods and Applications. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2007.