1

Horror Openings & Narrative Structure

Story-telling

2

Most commercial films have a conventional narrative of a beginning, middle and end.

This is known as the Three Act Structure.

The Set-Up

3

This is normally the first 5 – 10 minutes of the film. It is here that all vital information is provided (main characters, basis of the storyline, location, genre). This is the most important part of the film.

During the set-up the following will occur:CATALYST: the catalyst is what gets the story

going. Usually an event.CENTRAL QUESTION: this is a problem,

situation or issue that needs to be resolved by the end of the film.

‘The Ring’, Dir. Gore Verbiniski

4

Last lesson we identified a couple of horror conventions which are linked to narrative. What are they?

FALSE SCARES: this is when the audience expect to jump or be scared but nothing happens. It can be either a noise or an action which leads to nothing (a door opening and you expect someone to be standing behind it but no-one’s there).

Watch the opening carefully and list the important elements that add to the Set-Up of the narrative.

After the Set-Up…

5

Once key elements have been introduced it is important that the narrative moves quickly so that the audience’s interest is maintained.

TURNING POINTS: are used to do this. These change the direction of the story and raise the stakes. There will be a turning point at the end of Act One and Act Two.

The moment the audience most want to see is the CLIMAX. This is the big finish of the film – where the good and bad guy meet.

The RESOLUTION is the final part of the film where all loose ends are tied up (unless there’s a sequel!)

A Tension Graph for the 3 Act Structure

6

Key Words for Narrative

7

RESOLUTIONCATALYST

TURNING POINTSET-UP

CLIMAXCENTRAL QUESTION

Todorov: Equilibrium, Disruption, New Equilibrium

Todorov

Stage OneEquilibrium

(An ordered state)

Stage TwoDisruption

(by some event)

Stage Three

Recognition(of the disruption)

Stage FourAttempt to repair the

damage

Stage Five(Return to a)

New Equilibrium

Todorov

Stage OneEquilibrium

(An ordered state)

Stage TwoDisruption

(by some event)

Stage Three

Recognition(of the disruption)

Stage FourAttempt to repair the

damage

Stage Five(Return to a)

New Equilibrium

Horror Tasks

9

1. Select 3 Past Student Horrors to watch from Student Resources.

2. Watch each opening once and draw a tension graph as you watch it.

3. Comment on the specific elements that made the tension rise/fall in the opening sequence.

4. Fill in the Past Student Evaluation sheet for each film.