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MCS 273 Storytelling and Style in Cinema
Narrative Analysis Assignment Template
The assignment focuses upon Act 1 only. Please enter your responses below each prompt in this template.
FIRST IMAGES
Explain how the first images introduce us to a specific theme of the film.
Explain how the first images suggest or convey a specific mood of the film.
Explain how the first images establish the setting of the film.
CATALYST AND CENTRAL QUESTION
Identify the central question of the film as it is first presented to us. At what point in the film are we able to identify this central question?
FIRST TURNING POINT
Identify the first turning point of the film as specifically as possible, and explain why your selection actually qualifies as the first turning point. IMPORTANT: The Three-Act Structure Overview sheet in Module 1 lists nine possible characteristics of the first turning point. In your justification, address as many of these nine characteristics as are relevant to your film.
PROTAGONISTS, ANTAGONISTS, AND BACKSTORY
Identify the central protagonist of the film according to what we learn about the characters during the first act, and explain why they are the protagonists.
Identify the central antagonist of the film according to what we learn about the characters during the first act, and explain why they are the antagonists.
Identify one element of backstory that is important to the characterization of either a protagonist or an antagonist in the film.
RANGE OF NARRATION
Explain to what extent the narration in this first act is restricted or unrestricted to a specific character or group of characters in the film.
