Narrative in web and video Narrative in web and video Andrew - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Narrative in web and video

Narrative in web and video Andrew Stanton The clues to a great story

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_stanton_the_clues_to_a_great_story?language=en#t-3199

narrative a spoken or written account

• f connected

events; a story

The relationship

• f cause and

effect within space and time, usually with characters

• – Bruce Sheridan
• What is

narrative?

narrative a spoken or written account

• f connected

events; a story The relationship

• f cause and

effect within space and time, usually with characters

• – Bruce Sheridan
• What is

narrative?

Exposition Introducing viewers to characters and setting

• Character

A ‘person’ in the story who we learn about through their words and actions

• Setting

The place where the story is set

• Problem or conflict

The ‘struggle’ in the story

Events The things that happen in the story that are important and lead to the climax and resolution

• Climax

The most intense part of the story

• Resolution

The conclusion, tying up all the loose ends; how it ends up

• Elements of

narrative

Classical narrative in films

• Parts of a story

Beginning

• Middle
• End

Classical narrative in films

• Parts of a story

Beginning

• Middle
• End
• Action
• Time

Classical narrative in films

• Parts of a story

Beginning

• Middle
• End
• Action
• Time
• Exposition

Inciting incident Rising action Crisis Climax Falling action Resolution

Classical narrative in films

• Parts of a story

Beginning Middle

• End
• Action
• Time
• Characters

set up Marty goes back to 1955 Anticipation builds, things happen Marty almost fades! Marty goes back Back home Sequel set up!

Narrative exists in all films…

• Carving the

Future

• https://vimeo.com/62585546

Narrative exists in all films…

• Carving the

Future

• https://vimeo.com/125222231

Alternative narratives

• e.g. TV Series
• Action
• TV series’ linking over time
• Rising action

A whole series of mini-arcs each episode, with threads building to a series climax Resolution …Series 1 Series 2 Series 3… Main exposition may be in place from previous series’

Alternative narratives

• e.g. non-linear

narrative films Not just A to B

• Can be non-chronological
• Could be as simple as

flashbacks or flash forwards

• Examples include:
• Lost

Pulp Fiction Trainspotting

Alternative narratives

• Pulp Fiction

non-linear As the sequence appears 
 in the film:

• Prologue – The

Diner (i) Prelude to Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife Prelude to The Gold Watch The Gold Watch The Bonnie Situation Epilogue – The Diner (ii)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Alternative narratives

• Pulp Fiction

non-linear Chronologically:

• 4, 2, 6, 1, 7, 3, 5.
• Some overlap between sequences

Some parts told by two different characters

• Prologue – The

Diner (i) Prelude to Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife Prelude to The Gold Watch The Gold Watch The Bonnie Situation Epilogue – The Diner (ii)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Alternative narratives

• e.g. web + video

Snowfall

• Snowfall: a non-linear web 


and video based story

• Rising action
• Stories

unpacked: Text with additional video Incident

• Avalanche

described: Text with additional video Exposition

• Opening ‘cover’:

Video as image with text Exposition

• Information

about the site: motion graphic Rising action

• Weather

explained: Video/ infographic

Chapter 1 Story builds over six chapters Ends with a call to action: 
 watch the documentary

http://www.nytimes.com/ projects/2012/snow-fall/#/? part=tunnel-creek

Gaza/Sderot: a dual narrative 
 web and video based story

• Alternative

narratives

• e.g. web + video

Gaza/Sderot

• Dialogue unfolds showing
• pposite perspectives
• Homepage

explains the premise

But, is there an arc? How do I navigate? Can I fast-forward?

• Where to now?
• http://gaza-sderot.arte.tv/

Classical narrative rules: apply regardless of medium Clarity Viewers should not be confused about space, time, events or motivations

• Unity

Connections between cause and effect must be complete

• Closure

Loose ends should be tied up and questions answered (and for your projects, a clear call to action should be present)

Planning narrative

• How to

Structure a Video Essay

https://vimeo.com/123759973

Video

• Storyboarding +

shot lists

Web

• Sitemaps and

wireframes Can be complex…

Web

• Sitemaps and

wireframes But your sites are simple!

Video

• How will you

plan and tell your story?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LKPVAIcDXY

Now:

• Any discussion about yesterday’s presentations?
• Any questions?
• Next up, back to studio: begin planning your

approach to the issue, start storyboarding

• Workshop: shooting video