This week focused on narrative structure and character development, and how stories create meaning through structure, performance, and film language. The lecture introduced different storytelling models, such as the three-act structure and five-act structure, which are commonly used in films, animation, and literature.
A key idea from this week was that narrative is not only about what happens, but how events are organised to engage the audience. Concepts such as equilibrium, disruption, climax, and resolution help shape emotional progression and audience expectation. These structures allow stories to build tension and guide viewers towards a meaningful ending.
The session also explored character development and the role characters play in driving the narrative. Characters are not only vehicles for plot, but also carry emotional and symbolic meaning. Their goals, obstacles, and transformations help audiences connect to the story and understand its themes.
In addition, the reading on film theory and analysis introduced different ways of finding meaning in films. Rather than simply describing the plot, film analysis looks at explicit meaning, implicit meaning, and broader cultural or social interpretation. This approach highlights how cinematic techniques such as framing, editing, sound, and pacing influence how stories are understood.
Editing was discussed as a crucial part of film language. Techniques such as continuity editing, montage, and shot transitions help control rhythm, space, and time. Editing guides the viewer’s attention and shapes how the narrative unfolds, often without the audience being consciously aware of it.
Overall, this week helped me understand storytelling as a combination of structure, character, and cinematic technique. It also showed how narrative meaning is constructed through form, not just content, which will be important for analysing animation and film in later research.