Classic Hollywood Narrative

It is the most common structure of storytelling in mainstream films.

it is a three-act format that organises the story:

Act 1: The Hook. it engages the interest of the audience. it is roughly a quarter of the movie. we are introduced to the main characters and conflict between the antagonist and the protagonist and the obstacles they are to face.

Act 2: cause-effect relationships which is when one character's action force a reaction from the other character and so on. there are plot complications which add an increasing sense of urgency when the main characters encounter obstacles that stand in the way of their journey/ quest. it usually last for the next two quarters of the movie, and often includes a false resolution to the conflict presented in Act 1. after this it inevitably moves towards a necessary climax

Act 3: The climax. the results of the story's main conflict come to a dramatic confrontation; it is the point where key struggles are waged and eventual victor is determined- usually the hero. after the climax there is closure which basically means that all the problems are resolved. it is known as the 'Hollwood ending' when it is inferred that the protagonist of the story lives happily ever after.

act 1:  the setup

act 2: the development

act 3: the resolution

Classic Hollywood Narrative consist of three main phases;

1. Equilibrium

2. Disruption

3. Equilibrium re-established

in this structure there is a linear (straigh line) sequence of events.

Act 1- Equilibrium (known as stability)

we are introduced to:

-the main charactersin the story

-their goals

-the obstacles they are likely to face

-the main conflict

-the major antagonist

Act 2- Disruption (known as the rising action)

here:

-plot complications are added to the story

-an increasing sense of urgency is created

-main characters encounter obstacles that threaten their journey

-occupies the middle two quarters of the film

-includes a flase resolution to the main conflict

-once the false resolution has been encountered the action in the movie generally points towards a necssary climax

Act 3- Equilibrium regained (the resolution including climax and denouement)

the final segment:

-dramatic confrontation called the climax

-hero learns something about himself- he develops as a person and in the world

Classical Hollywood Cinema and Narrative Conventions. Many historians consider the Classic Hollywood Cinema as representing a set of stable narrative conventions

1) human centred: individual characters are the casual agents of the narrative; narrative centres on individual choices, actions, decisions or problems

2) is driven by desire: the narrative defines a lack or a need, proposing a goal that the protagonst must accomplish (the CHC is a goal orientated form)

3) is built on opposition and conflict: the progress of the hero towards the defined goal is opposed by problems, obstacles or a charcater with antagonistic values

4) actions/ events are linked in a chain of cause and effect: the forwards movement of the narrative, the progress or set backs encountered by the hero, takes place in a linear fashion. each eaction or event must follow logically from the actions proceeding it even if that logic is only apparent retroactively. time is subordinate to the cause and effect chain: the plot will omit insignificant elements in order to emphasise o0nly events of casual importance; the plot will rearrange the story chronology to maximise interest in the narrative.

5) is dominated by clear and complete motivation of actions and events: verisimilitude: each element must have a clear reason for being there- it must follow the internal logic of the film.

6) tends to have an objective or omniscent narration: the camera narrates in third person. it pretends to an objective status against the limited knowledge of individual characters can be measured. even if a single character dominates the pov of the film, there are portions of the film that give us access to things that the character does not see, hear or know.

7) is dominated by a strong sense of closure: no loose ends. all problems overcome, mysteries resolved, desires fullfilled.