1. Narrative
Structure
in Film

2. Plot
The selection and ordering of
events explicitly shown on screen.
Story
All of the chronological events that
implicitly take place during the span
of time of the plot.

3. Most film narratives are
goal-oriented.

4. The protagonist’s pursuit of a
goal determines the narrative
structure.

9. The villian’s goal may also
drive the plot.

11. Three-Act Structure

12. Three-Act Structure
1
Exposition

13. Three-Act Structure
1
Exposition
Introduces characters and
dramatic situation.
Protagonist forms a goal.

14. Three-Act Structure
2
Complicating Action

15. Three-Act Structure
2
Complicating Action
Protagonist faces obstacles
in pursuit of goal.

16. Three-Act Structure
3
Climax and Resolution

17. Three-Act Structure
3
Climax and Resolution
Protagonist confronts opposition. Goal
is achieved (or not).

18. 1 Exposition
Introduces characters and dramatic
situation. Protagonist conceives a goal.
2 Complicating action
Protagonist faces obstacles in pursuit of
goal.
3 Climax and resolution
Protagonist confronts opposition.
Goal is achieved (or not).

19. Three-Act Structure
Turning Point

20. Three-Act Structure
Turning Point
Protagonist gets a new goal or must
change tactics in pursuit of a goal.

21. Turning Point: New situation,
new goal in Act Two.

22. Turning Point: Capture leads to
confrontation and climax.

23. Act Two

24. Act Two
Complicating Action:
Protagonist has to change
tactics to achieve goal, or
protagonist faces a new
situation and has to cope.

25. Act Two
Complicating Action:
Protagonist has to change
tactics to achieve goal, or
protagonist faces a new
situation and has to cope.
Development:
Protagonist struggles
toward goals. Incidents
create action, suspense,
delay.

26. Turning point in Act Two:
Change in tactics - get the broom.

27. 1 Exposition
Introduces characters and dramatic
situation. Protagonist conceives a goal.
2A Complicating action
Protagonist faces obstacles in pursuit of
goal.
2B Development
Action, suspense, delay.
3 Climax and resolution
Protagonist confronts opposition.
Goal is achieved (or not).

28. Epilogue

29. Three-Act Structure in

30. 1
2
3 Epilogue

31. 1 Pregnant. What to do?

32. 2 Things get complicated.

33. 3 Crisis and resolution.

34. Epilogue

35. Chinatown

36. 1 Following Hollis.

37. TPNew situation. New goal.

38. 2A Who’s behind this?

39. TP“You may think you understand.”

40. 2B Looking for “the girl.”

41. TPUnder suspicion.

42. 3 Climax: The truth. Confrontation.

43. 3 Resolution

44. Analyzing Structure
With classical narratives, these questions can help
you analyze a movie’s structure:
• What is the protagonist’s goal at the beginning of
the movie? How does the protagonist pursue
this goal?
• Does the protagonist’s goal change? Does the
protagonist have to change tactics in trying to
achieve the goal? (When? Why?)
• Is the goal achieved? When? How?