Chapter 2: Narrative

Learning Objectives

After reading Chapter Two, you should be able to

• Differentiate between the story and the plot of a movie.
• Know the responsibilities of the screenwriter.
• Know the difference between diegetic and nondiegetic elements of a movie’s plot.
• Understand the importance of the order (chronological or nonchronological), significance (hubs versus satellites), and duration of plot events.
• Understand the three kinds of relationships between screen duration and story duration.
• Distinguish characters by their importance (major versus minor characters), their complexity (round versus flat), their motivation, and their role in the narrative (e.g., protagonist, antagonist).
• Explain the significance of setting to film narrative.
• Know the difference between surprise and suspense.
• Explain what comprises the scope of a story.
• Understand the difference between narration and narrator, as well as how they complement one another.