Kinnaird College for Women - Lahore

Department of Media Studies

Final Project

Course Title: Electronic Media [A]

Instructor: Miss Sidra Arif

Submitted by: Fatima Sohail

Maham Wazi

Submission Date: 17th November 2023

The Narrative Structure of
Films
Introduction:
Narrative structure in film plays a crucial role in engaging and entrancing the general audience. A
film without a story and a plot lacks the fundamental elements that provide purpose, direction, and
meaning to the narrative. Without these components, characters have no objectives to pursue,
challenges to overcome and the film lacks the essential framework of a beginning, middle, and
end. To assess the success of a movie in telling a story, it's crucial to comprehend the distinct roles
of a story, a plot and the narrative structures that dictate how these plots unfold.

What is a Narrative Structure:

“The narrative structure serves as the organizational framework for a film, where the story
represents the core action, and the plot encapsulates how that story unfolds.”

Significance:

Narrative structure in films is very important as it acts as the backbone for coherent storytelling. It
strategically shapes the order of events, enhancing emotional impact and maintaining audience
engagement through controlled pacing. This planned structuring also allows for creative
experimentation, be it linear or nonlinear and profoundly influences character development.
Moreover, the narrative structure smoothly conveys underlying themes presenting a film that
leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Linear And Nonlinear Structures:

This structure can adopt either a linear or nonlinear approach.

• In a linear narrative, events progress chronologically.

• In a nonlinear structure the events start from the middle and utilize flashbacks to reveal
the story in a non-sequential manner.

Story and Plot Dynamics:

A story is the essence of the film, encompassing the core actions, events, and experiences that
drive the narrative. It is the substance that engages the audience emotionally and intellectually,
providing the film with its thematic and conceptual foundation.
On the other hand, the plot serves as the mechanism through which the story is revealed and
developed. It involves the arrangement and sequencing of events, the introduction of conflicts and
the resolution of those conflicts.

The film's plot is the driving force behind our emotional engagement with it. Our ability to connect
with a character's challenges or experience heightened suspense is a result of a well-crafted plot.
A successful plotline is characterized by the filmmaker or writer's ability to provide compelling
characters and motivations that resonate with and evoke empathy from the audience. Ultimately,
the key to a successful plotline lies in its effective utilization of narrative structures.

The structure intricately blends the various story elements, influencing the manner in which we
perceive the plot and establishing the depth of our connection to the characters. While the story is
the what, the plot is the how; how the events unfold, how characters evolve, and how the narrative
progresses.

Understanding the dynamics between story and plot is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of
a film. A well-crafted plot enhances and expands upon the story providing structure and coherence
to the narrative. It introduces tension, suspense and resolution, giving the audience a satisfying and
meaningful journey.

To simplify, the narrative structure formula can be expressed as the sum of Story (Action) and Plot
encapsulating how the narrative unfolds.

Story (Action) + Plot = Narrative Structure.

Narrative Structures - Shaping Perception:

The narrative structure acts as a formula or blueprint for how different plots are presented. Whether
adopting a linear or nonlinear approach, utilizing flashbacks or employing other techniques, the
narrative structure shapes the overall framework of the film. It influences the audience's experience
by determining the order in which information is revealed, creating suspense and establishing the
rhythm of the storytelling.

In essence, a successful film integrates a compelling story, a well-executed plot, and a

thoughtfully chosen narrative structure.
These elements work together to captivate the audience, evoke emotional responses and leave a
lasting impact. They form the backbone of cinematic storytelling, providing the foundation for a
memorable and unique cinematic experience.

Film Genres:

Film Genres play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative styles that characterize movies. Film
genres are delineated by distinct patterns, themes, motifs, and conventions that provide filmmakers
with a framework for structuring their stories. The classification of genres not only helps categorize
films but also sets expectations for the audience. Different film genres give rise to diverse narrative
styles.

Narrative films are mainly focused on storytelling through the development of characters and a
sequence of events. The story typically unfolds within a narrative structure, guiding viewers on a
journey led by a protagonist. This stands in contrast to documentary films which present factual
accounts, opinions or testimonies of actual events. While both narrative and documentary films
aim to convey a story, they differ in their approach and storytelling techniques.

• Action and Adventure: Fast-paced narratives driven by intense scenes, thrilling stunts,
chases, fights and physical feats.

• Comedy: Light-hearted stories that use humor to entertain often involving humorous
situations or witty dialogue.

• Drama: Focused on character development and emotional themes, exploring human nature,
relationships and social issues.

• Science Fiction and Fantasy: Imagination and speculation drive these films, creating
fantastical worlds, futuristic settings and advanced technologies.

• Horror: Playing on the fear of the audience these narratives use suspense, tension and
shocking images and scare jumps to evoke fear and unease in the people watching.

• Romance: Centered around love stories and the development of romantic relationships,
exploring themes of passion, desire and emotional connections.
 Filmmakers often blend genres to create hybrid narrative styles such as romantic comedies or
action thrillers. This approach allows them to cater to a broader audience and experiment with
different storytelling techniques.
The blending of genres and narrative styles contributes to the diverse portfolio of films showcasing
the creative potential and offering audiences a wide array of cinematic experiences.

Film Form Narrative - Five-Act Structure:

In any film/movie, the settings, characters, the plot, twists and events may be different, but the
elements of the structure will remain constant.
On the basic level all films have the same narrative pattern. Stories move through the following
stages:

1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Resolution

Five-Act Structure

 To gain a better understanding let's break down the narrative structure of "Jab We Met" according
to the stages of the five-act structure:
1. Exposition:
This is the introductory phase where essential background information is provided. It
establishes the setting, introduces the main characters and outlines the initial situation or
conflict.

 The film begins with the introduction of Geet, a lively and spirited girl, and Aditya, a
reserved depressed and suicidal businessman. They meet on a train journey, setting the
stage for the unfolding story. The exposition establishes the characters, their
personalities, and the initial circumstances of their meeting and how their personality
and mood were opposite to each other.

2. Rising Action:
The rising action follows the exposition and involves the development of the central
conflict. Tension builds as characters face challenges and the narrative unfolds leading
toward a turning point.

 As Geet and Aditya embark on an unexpected journey together after missing their train,
conflicts and challenges arise. Geet's vibrant personality clashes with Aditya's
reserved nature, leading to humorous and poignant moments. The rising action
encompasses their evolving relationship, Geet's personal struggles, and Aditya's
internal conflicts.

3. Climax:
The climax is the high point of tension and drama in the story. It's the moment of greatest
conflict where the main character confronts a critical decision, faces a major obstacle or
 undergoes a significant transformation. The outcome of the climax often determines the
direction of the story.

 The climax occurs when Geet decides to marry her ex-lover, creating a moment of
emotional intensity. Aditya, realizing his feelings for Geet, confronts his emotions,
but does not confess to Geet and instead brings her all the way to be with Anshuman.
The major turning point arises here Aditya rushes to find Geet after her family visits
him promising to bring her back home and after reaching finds out the reality that
Anshuman had turned down her proposal because he had no plans of getting
married. This turning point represents the height of tension and drama in the story.

4. Falling Action:
After the climax, the falling action deals with the consequences of the pivotal moment. It
explores the aftermath of the climax, tying up loose ends and resolving secondary conflicts.
The narrative begins to wind down, but some tension may still linger.

 Following the climax, the falling action unfolds as Aditya finds Geet in the hostel
and convinces her to leave the place and helps her in regaining her confidence and
see life more positively. At the same time, Anshuman tries to make a fresh start,
and all three of them set off for Bhatinda together.

5. Resolution:
The resolution, also known as the denouement, is the final phase. It brings closure to the
story by resolving remaining conflicts and answering lingering questions. The character's
fates are revealed, and the narrative reaches a state of equilibrium.

 The resolution marks the conclusion of the story, offering a sense of fulfillment
and completeness. As a train passes by, Geet realizes that she loves Aditya and
not Anshuman, acknowledging their love and personal growth, and confesses to
Aditya. It ends with their wedding taking place with their families' blessings.

This narrative structure provides a clear and effective framework for storytelling in films. "Jab
We Met" adeptly navigates these narrative elements engaging the audience with a well-structured
and emotionally resounding storyline.

Conclusion:
To conclude, the narrative structure of films is the invisible architect that produces the magic of
storytelling. Whether adopting linear or nonlinear approaches, the narrative structure serves as the
silent force shaping the rhythm of storytelling, influencing audience perception and fostering deep
connections to characters. From the five-act structure's framework to the diverse narrative styles
within film genres, this structure ensures coherence and fulfillment in the cinematic journey.
Ultimately balance is achieved by a well-crafted narrative structure to its enduring power in
captivating audiences and leaving a memorable mark.
References:

https://brilliantio.com/film-narrative-structure/

https://kinnu.xyz/kinnuverse/culture/how-to-actually-watch-movies/narrative-structure/