This week's required reading covered the topics of plot and structure followed by many films and television shows. These include the 3 act structure utilised by many film makers and writers to set up a story line. This structure incorporates an initial state of equilibrium, followed by a period of conflict and finally a resolution (Jane Stadler & Kelly McWilliam, 2009, p. 157). This classical narrative style is popular for many fairytale type stories, including many of those adapted by Disney.
An example of this includes The Little Mermaid (1989, Walt Disney Pictures, Clements & Musker ), in which the 'hero' character, Ariel, initially has a beautiful singing voice and privileged lifestyle and then transitions through the stage of conflict when her voice is taken away from her in exchange for a human body and ability to walk on land, and is later resolved when she wins the heart of the prince and regains her voice when her nemesis is destroyed.
In addition to the traditional 3 act structure, story lines may also make use of a non-linear time frame, which includes flashbacks and flash forwards, interwoven story lines and fragmented story lines (Jane Stadler & Kelly McWilliam, 2009, p. 169).
Bibliography:
Screen Naratives: Traditions and Trends, Jane Stadler & Kelly McWilliam, 2009
The Little Mermaid, 1989, Walt Disney Pictures, Clements & Musker
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