Saturday 4 February 2012

Unit 4: Story Telling - Assignment Introduction & Supporting Research

The Question this essay will answer:
How do directors convey their story’s through non – linear narrative?

Introduction:

This essay will examine the unconventional structure of non – linear narrative in film, specifically identifying its alternative act structure & order of scenes. The case study of this assignment is “Memento” a film directed by Christopher Nolan, a film which is expressed and visualised through the eyes of its protagonist “Leonard Shelby” who has a mental disorder. This paper will critically analyse & identify the stylistic use of reverse chronology & narration in the film, as well as its ability to place the viewer in the role of its central character allowing them to relate to the film on an entirely different level.

Key sources include Ken Dancyger’s “The Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice” (2010), which will explain the theory & technique of non – linear storytelling, Geoff Mayer & Brian McDonnell’s “Encyclopedia of film noir” (2007) will be used to analyse the topic of reverse chronology in film, Andrew Kania’s “Memento” (2002), will analyse the aesthetics of Memento expressed through its narrative structure, & an article written by The Unknown Screenwriter entitled “Screenwriting Structure Series Part 4: Memento & Pulp Fiction Non-Linear Story Telling” (2002) will examine the function of structure & destination expressed through the films narrative.

• This study will begin by identifying the product of non linear narrative & how this works to the films advantage. Reverse chronology will then be discussed delving into its use as a plot device for Memento’s narrative. The narrative structure of the film will then be broken down & critically analysed to identify its cultural context. To conclude the films destination will be identified & discussed confirming its importance to the films narrative structure.

Word Count: 276

Supporting Research for Written Assignment

Books

“The Technique of Film and Video Editing: History, Theory, and Practice” by Ken Dancyger
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=m20GrX-ZmmoC&pg=PA393&dq=non+linear+narrative&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UMwtT4m_Auij0QXbuLCtCA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=non%20linear%20narrative&f=false

“Encyclopedia of film noir” by Geoff Mayer, Brian McDonnell
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=RsBHnZoyO4kC&pg=PA282&dq=reverse+chronology+memento&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HNwtT96jCaef0QXp6P2sCA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=reverse%20chronology%20memento&f=false

“Memento” by Andrew Kania
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=67spLgKYFg8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=memento&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x9ktT7euOYOh0QXy0v2sCA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=memento&f=false

Articles

“Screenwriting Structure Series Part 4: Memento & Pulp Fiction Non-Linear Story Telling” by The Unknown Screen Writer
http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/screenwriting-structure-series-part-4-memento-and-pulp-fiction-non-linear-story-telling.html

Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/memento/

Images

memento.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm29zrx88vcNdWtvA9DsRy37YVIU4pk2ow5Ase1_9cKa4CTsIFTusMj7dmWaUiiz4aCxbgHhHpTQDNKSNDTmt97v_CAIxPgoBbIDCTN8bezliBV1sqSFSFec1KvA1CyruTdN7E4MnzjVo/s400/memento.jpg

contact_sheet.jpg
http://adrian.ziemkowski.com/film/clips/fs-memento/contact_sheet.jpg

memento.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRsUdpWBH0ZMCJo9e4Xoflgwjz99TeGQ1mRsRqzw-KIIvCi4BIMRYRVruEGQzs5GrJLrdiqli5bfjr_dn9HDmvhxrMNHMJeoPbukQoeLDvvclvognVUR7XBdzuxqjWhzD1uWagMwiEC8/s1600/memento.jpg

memento.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0id88NFdLN8Xlp_QjkLlVnYk9G8sIPzaOHzaX60rXmVdN7Ezpmf21rBchZCQx8oRhwycZwFUtBNbL8gHpsNd_zMd7NQZEGsSwYcQv5P1DJTHbaMJQtQXoyqaUwCKJXDO_fb9n9AIy0D_Q/s320/memento.jpg

1293_17_large.jpg
http://images.blu-ray.com/reviews/1293_17_large.jpg

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