Narrative Structure

Story - The story of a film is basically the contents of the film. The story is what happens in film film written by the writer or writers.

Narrative - The narrative of a film is the way in which the story is told.

There are two main times of narrative; linear and non-linear. The standard narrative of most film is linear, meaning that the story is chronological (everything happens in real time). Examples of linear films are 'The Avengers', 'Up' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'
 Non-linear films tell the story non-chronologically, where parts or the story aren't shown in order. Examples of non-linear films are 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Memento', which appear to have random or reverse narratives.

Non linear films are more commonly portrayed as people in the present having flashbacks of the past. Films like 'Titanic', 'Forrest Gump' and 'The Curios Case of Benjamin Button' are all non-linear flashback films.


3 Act Narrative Structure

Beginning - Introduction to characters and key locations. The general feel of the film is established and the problem is vaguely introduced

Middle - The problem is declared, and characters start to come up with ideas to solve the problem

End - The problem is solves and they all live happily ever after



5 Act Classic Hollywood Structure

Exposition - Introduced to characters and key locations


Development - Get to know more about the characters (Personalities and Traits)


Complication - Something goes wrong



Climax - The problem becomes solved


Resolution - Everybody lives happily ever after



Below is the narrative structure of the film 'Pulp Fiction' in chronological order. It shows the events of the film as if the film were shown linearly.

The Documentary Pitch - Treatment

In order to successfully film my documentary, I will need to construct a list of preliminary tasks; this will give me a better idea as to how I will film the documentary:


Research Tasks

- I will need to get in contact with a couple of band promoters, in order to interview them about the promotion of local bands in Cambridge. I think I could definitely get a time to interview Tim Willet of Cambridge 105 and STAR 107.9 as my band have encountered him a few times.

- I will try to get in contact with some event organisers, to talk about how they give opportunities for local bands to get gigs. I may be able to get time to interview Gary Brown, who organises the fiver nights at the Junction, a popular gig for local bands to play.

- I will need to find someone who may be able to work the camera for me, as I will probably have to be in the film at a few times



Working Title

I currently have a few ideas as to what my Documentary will be called;

  - 'The Cambridge Band Circuit"
  - 'Meet Me At Dawn through the Circuit'
  - 'Local Bands'
  - 'How to be in a Successful Band if you Live in Cambridge'

One of these ideas will be the working title of my documentary. They all explain the nature of my documentary about the music scene in Cambridge which is what I'm looking for.


Log Line

'A film documenting the Cambridge band circuit, and how young bands get themselves noticed'

Synopsis

My film is a documentary about the local band circuit in Cambridge; it will consist mainly of interviews with people involved in the circuit, mainly people in the local bands, band promoters involved in the promotion of these bands and people who organise gigs for local bands at venues such as the Corner House, the Junction and other venues in there local cambridge area.
  This documentary will focus on the problems that young bands may run into when trying to promote their bands, including funding for equipment, age restrictions for venues, and the idea that people don't take these bands seriously.
  I will use my band (Meet Me At Dawn) as an example, as we have a lot of experience with gigging, we've been involved with a couple of promoters on the radio and such, but mainly we have quite a bit of knowledge on the cambridge band circuit.

Documentary Ideas

A Person I Know

I know a music producer called Piers Mortimer. during the summer, he recorded and produced a
single for my band 'Meet Me At Dawn'. He is knows a lot about tracking, recording, mixing etc. and he is very good at it. I think a documentary about him and his work would be very interesting; it would show the details of working in the music industry, it would interact with local bands such as mine, and could provide a good insight into anyone who is interesting in becoming a music producer.

Investigation Into Something I'm Interested In

I am very interested in fan theories in movies; these are basically hidden clues in some films that can express very different things about the storyline; they are usually discovered by fans of the film, or leaked by the director/writers of the film. Examples of this are in the original 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', one particular theory is that Willy Wonka is a serial killer; there are many clues in the film to suggest this, such as after Augustus  'falls' into the chocolate river, Wonka is only really concerned about the chocolate, and not at all about Augustus. They then proceed to get on the boat, which has just the right amount of seats for everyone who is left, which may mean Wonka has planned for it all to happen.
  Discussion of fan theories in movies such as this, could make a very interesting documentary.



A Place

I could do a documentary about the village of Cambourne, in which I live. There are many interesting things about my village that could potentially make a good documentary. I would interview people who have lived there for a long time, and people who have moved recently. It would be interesting as Cambourne is a relatively new village, and has only really been around for 20 years or so. I could ask people what they like about the village and what they don't like. This documentary would also talk about the problems taking place, such as drug related crime which is large for a small village like Cambourne.
  I think with time, effort and cooperation from the locals, I could create an interesting documentary about Cambourne.


Autobiographical

My autobiographical documentary would be about the local band scene in Cambridge, mainly focussing on my band 'Meet Me At Dawn'; this would probably be my strongest idea for a documentary on this list.
  This documentary would consist of a series of interviews with myself, Sam Clenaghan, Jake Brown and Ross Shelley - Pilsworth (may possibly involve people we have played gigs with, parents etc.)
  We would start from the beginning, taking about the origin of the band, how we all met each other and all that good stuff. It would include footage of us playing gigs at places like the Corner House, and the Junction Fiver. We would also discuss our plans for the future and where we want to go with the band.
  This would be a very good documentary to film, as it would be easy to get time to interview the band, and we all have interesting stories about the band that would make a good documentary.


Story in the Local Paper

I read about an incident that occurred during the summer, where a few people I went to school with were involved in a horrific hit and run accident on hills road in Cambridge. One of which broke his leg, and another sustained such a bad leg injury that he had to have his leg amputated.
  This could make a good documentary, as it would show how the incident affected the teens involved. I could easily get interviews with the victims of this ordeal, as I went to school with them, and have easy contact with

Exit Through the Gift Shop (Banksy)

'Exit through the Gift Shop' (2010) is a documentary directed by notorious street artist Banksy. This documentary is the story of Thierry Guetta (Mr Brain Wash), and how is obsession with filming street art reaches higher levels than expected. 

The documentary begins with footage of graffiti artists spraying art around the streets. I feel that

introducing the film in this way gives the audience a good insight into the world of street art, ; it shows the dangerous and risky things these artists are willing to do in order to get their art noticed; it shows people leaning over bridges, climbing up buildings etc, but the main bulk of the introduction is just artists spray painting walls. This gives the audience an idea about the film in the introduction.

The stories are told by means of interviews like most documentaries; Banksy is shown sat in a chair, with his face blacked out. The classic Banksy Monkey Face is shown on a pedestal, and there are many works of his art in the background. This shows Banksy's love of art, but also his mysterious nature, showing that he doesn't want his face to be seen in the film.

When Thierry is introduced, stereotypical French music plays, in order to to accompany his French accent. I think Bansky was trying to show that Thierry is very french, and adheres to many French stereotypes.During the first part of Thierry's interview, many of his old film clips are shown. They are shown non-chronologically and very randomly. This explains his long love and obsession for filming.

Many things is this film are interesting, and give a good insight into the world of street art, the origins and early works of these famous street artists, the controversy of their work; but mainly, the film shows the progression of Thierry Guetta's obsession with art. It shows how he becomes Mr Brainwash, his 'artist' alter-ego, but touches on the fact that Mr Brainwash was an unintentional creation by Banksy.

Here is the Trailer for 'Exit Through The Gift Shop'