‘Slacker’, a 1991 film directed by Richard Linklater, attempts to address the issue of life and its constant creation of unattainable, alternate realities. At the beginning of the film there is a monologue about how with each un-chosen decision, an alternate reality is created, that we will never know the outcome of, because we chose this reality that is happening right now.
Linklater constructed a narrative in which the audience follows different characters throughout the film, and we are immersed into a moment of their lives, whether an interesting event occurs or a seemingly mundane one, like a conversation with a friend, and this is how we are transported through the film and through the characters and locations.
This character-based form of storytelling is unlike the ‘usual’ three-act structure and its protagonist-driven storyline. ‘Slacker does not necessarily seem to have a set plot and a protagonist that the audience must follow and identify with. We are not transported into character’s world and then taken on a journey with them that will lead them to distress, decisions, heartache and resolution. Instead, it is like we are placed into random characters’ lives for a few moments to witness what they may be doing or going through- it is like seeing a piece of real life.
In a three act-structured film, we would first meet a character, the protagonist, in his normal everyday life, whether he is content, or unhappy with it, but it would seem ‘ordinary’ and routine-like. The protagonist would then face some form of trouble that disturbs this routine.
The protagonist would be faced with options that may lead to him or her solving the situation. We would then have our own idea of what the protagonist must...
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There are films where the beginning, middle and end are not so straight forward and might be structured in such a way that tell the story differently and allow the audience to experience the story and the film in a different way.
Films such as ‘Memento’, ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘The Fountain’, where a linear narrative isn’t followed. The first few minutes of ‘The Fountain’ follow one character (we assume), but in three completely different settings. If we were to assume they are three different characters, then the story is deviating completely from a generic three-act structure plot, as we are not following a single protagonist through his or her journey.
There isn’t one narrative structure that is correct for all stories. Some denounce the three-act structure and others believe it should be stuck to strictly. The story should be best told the way it is told best.
isn’t one with a lot of action, or tragedy it is all very subtle, as
On the other hand, the point of this movie was to exhibit an example of what
Parallel editing draws the audience attention to important narration details and shapes the audience’s emotional response.
characters engage in, it becomes a challenge to keep up with the motives and truthful
When a play is presented on film, the director takes the script, and with poetic license, interprets it. A film not only contains the actual words of the author (in this case Shakespeare), but it includes action, acting, and cinematographic techniques; the three are used to better portray the author’s story. Using these elements, the director’s interpretation of the plot is reinforced. The film provides symbolic images and a visual interpretation, hence Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” is better understood by the viewers.
...ctual roles, or adding in exciting events that revise the storyline. These changes are beneficial to producers because they engage a large audience and generate massive profits. In contrast, they do not always have a positive effect on viewers. Although they are entertaining which is an important aspect of theatre culture, they also are often misguiding. Many spectators take movies at face value, without considering that they may not exactly qualify as primary source material. Even when an historical event is fabricated to teach or enhance a moral message, it still doesn’t compensate for bending the truth. Moviegoer’s may have a positive experience and gain some skewed historical perspective, perhaps better than what they knew before the movie, but they loose out on the truth and therefore, a genuine understanding of the historical event, and its significance.
People can feel better about themselves after watching these types of movies. Using these elements together, it makes the movie better, but not only that, but each element helps each other out in the scene to make it a very good movie
the film, to create a re-make that is worth going to see. The use of
...successful collaboration of sound, colour, camera positioning and lighting are instrumental in portraying these themes. The techniques used heighten the suspense, drama and mood of each scene and enhance the film in order to convey to the spectator the intended messages.
Filmmaking and cinematography are art forms completely open to interpretation in a myriad ways: frame composition, lighting, casting, camera angles, shot length, etc. The truly talented filmmaker employs every tool available to make a film communicate to the viewer on different levels, including social and emotional. When a filmmaker chooses to undertake an adaptation of a literary classic, the choices become somewhat more limited. In order to be true to the integrity of the piece of literature, the artistic team making the adaptation must be careful to communicate what is believed was intended by the writer. When the literature being adapted is a play originally intended for the stage, the task is perhaps simplified. Playwrights, unlike novelists, include some stage direction and other instructions regarding the visual aspect of the story. In this sense, the filmmaker has a strong basis for adapting a play to the big screen.
This is done so the character development is clearly shown, the duration of the film can be limited and so the film can be kept interesting and engaging for the audience. The plot in the film is changed slightly from the novel it is based on to show the development of characters. Some settings are excluded or changed to limit the time of the movie. The character’s characteristics are slightly altered so the movie is kept interesting and engaging for the audience. By modifying these aspects of the film the producer is able to keep the audience engaged whilst showing character
A set of practices concerning the narrative structure compose the classical Hollywood Paradigm. These conventions create a plot centering around a character who undergoes a journey in an attempt to achieve some type of goal (). By giving the central character more time on screen, the film helps the audience to not only understand the character’s motivation but also empathize with his/her emotional state. Additionally, some antagonistic force creates conflict with the main character, preventing immediate success(). Finally, after confronting the antagonist, the main character achieves his or her goal along with growing emotionally(). This proven structure creates a linear and relatively easily followed series of events encompassing the leading character and a goal.
Film and literature are two media forms that are so closely related, that we often forget there is a distinction between them. We often just view the movie as an extension of the book because most movies are based on novels or short stories. Because we are accustomed to this sequence of production, first the novel, then the motion picture, we often find ourselves making value judgments about a movie, based upon our feelings on the novel. It is this overlapping of the creative processes that prevents us from seeing movies as distinct and separate art forms from the novels they are based on.
...verything around us is made by our actions. Positive or negative they cause an effect that will ultimately lead to a different story base on how we interpret life. Narrative elements are used as a bridge by the directors in their film to create any master plot that is currently known. Any modification at any narrative element used by the director at important moments inside the story can help you portray a different master plot. This used of narrative elements can be best described as an ever changing process that takes place inside an individual’s head. Depending on the individual that may be exposed to those narrative elements can create different meanings. This new interpretation can be different for everyone. We have to be aware that one change in the surface scenery can lead to many ideal outcomes in our minds and that is the main power the audience has.
naturalistic view and then altered the characters slightly to enhance its dramatic appeal. The Fortune