Narrative story elements

Remember the mnemonic What does CCCOMPSS stand for again?

Opening sequence What is the start of Psycho’s opening sequence? When does it end? What is the start of Edward Scissorhands opening sequence? When does it end?

Psycho opening sequence The opening sequence starts with the Paramount logo; includes the title sequence; the scene with Sam & Marion in the hotel room; the scene in Marion’s office; and ends with the scene where Marion is packing and then leaves her room.

Edward Scissorhands opening sequence The opening sequence starts with the 20th Century Fox logo (with added falling snow); includes the title sequence; the scene with the grandmother and her grand daughter; the scene introducing Peg and the suburb she lives in; and ends with the scene where Peg meets Edward for the first time.

Opening Sequence For both films, you need to know: Which characters are introduced? Who is the main character? What do you know about the setting? What kind of sound is there (inc. the titles) What significance do the titles have to the rest of the narrative? What initial problem is the main character facing? How does it seem the story may progress (narrative possibilities)?

Character Who are the main characters of each film? What is an antagonist? Who is/are the antagonists of each film? What is a protagonist? Who is/are the protagonists of each film?

Character – you need to know What is the relationship between the antagonist and the protagonist? How is this relationship established? How does it develop? For each character, you need to be able to describe: their dress their surroundings what they say how they act what other characters say about them whether these characters are typical of the genre or not.

Practice question – 10 mins With reference to one of your texts, explain the nature and function of the story element character. (5 marks)

Setting What are some of the main settings in Psycho? What are some of the main settings in Edward Scissorhands?

Setting – must know What locations are used in the narrative? What is the historical period of the narrative? How does the setting help tell the narrative? Is the setting/s typical of the genre? Is the setting/s symbolic in any way?

Multiple Storylines What’s a primary storyline? What’s a secondary storyline? What’s a narrative possibility?

Need to know for each film What is the primary storyline? What are some of the secondary storylines? How do the primary and secondary plots interconnect? Do they revolve around the same characters? Does this happen for all or just some of the same characters? Do these things stay the same in each film or not?

Narrative Possibilities in Psycho In Psycho, Hitchcock presented several narrative possibilities that were never realised. Eg: Sam & Marion might break up Sam & Marion might get married Marion & Norman may become romantically involved Marion might return to Phoenix

By suggesting these possibilities, Hitchcock was then able to surprise and shock the audience. Killing Marion off within 40 minutes was the biggest shock for audiences. This then presented new possibilities for the narrative to follow.

Narrative possibilities in Edward Scissorhands Edward moves to the suburb and lives a more ‘normal’ life there Edward moves to the suburb, doesn’t fit in and does something against the people in the suburb Edward and Kim fall in love Kim rejects Edward Edward stays in the suburb Edward moves from the suburb

Structuring of Time What does ‘structuring of time’ mean? What does ‘linear’ mean? What does ‘non-linear’ mean?

How it works Editing tricks: montage, slow motion (expansion of time), fast motion (contraction of time), flash backs, flash forwards. It’s easy to confuse editing and structuring of time. Editing is the production element that allows structuring of time to occur. Go to 2006 examiner’s report for an insight into this.

Time structure in Psycho How is time structured in Psycho? How can you tell that this is the way time is structured? Are there any clues? Key sequence: Marion’s movement from the office to her bedroom to leaving Phoenix

Time Structure in Edward Scissorhands How is time structured in Edward Scissorhands? How can you tell that this is the way time is structured? Are there any clues? Key sequence: Edward helping Peg in the kitchen, flashing back to the inventor’s workshop before flashing forward again to the barbeque (30:55 – 33:50)

Cause & Effect What’s a cause? What’s an effect? Can you have an effect without a cause? Psycho: What motivates Marion and Norman? What effects do these motivations have? Edward Scissorhands: What motivates Edward, Kim and Peg?

Practice question – 10 mins Using the other text you studied this year, discuss how cause and effect contributes to the development of the narrative. (5 marks)

Point of View What is Point of View? (remember here we’re talking about the story element, not the camera technique).

Point of View – need to know Whose perspective is the story told from? Does it stay the same or does it change? This is another area that has tripped up some students in the past. 2006 examiner’s report addresses this.

Closing sequence What’s the point of a closing sequence? Where does the closing sequence begin in Psycho? Where does the closing sequence begin in Edward Scissorhands?

Psycho closing sequence: from where Lila enters the Bates family home to the final shot where the car is being pulled from the swamp. Edward Scissorhands closing sequence: from where Edward saves Kevin from Jim’s drunk- driving friend to the final shot of snow coming from Edward’s mansion (1:24:52)

This is a common area of the exam Often you will need to discuss it in relation to opening sequence, so you need to be able to explain how the narrative possibilities that are set up in the opening sequence are resolved in the closing sequence.

Themes, issues & motifs What are these? Need your glossary definition! What were some of the motifs in Psycho? What were some of the motifs & themes in Edward Scissorhands?

Reception context & audience experience and expectations What are each of these things? How can reception be affected? How do audience experience and expectations impact on how a text is received?

To note for exam If a question does come up about reception context and/or audience experience and expectations, you need to MAKE SURE you don’t use “I” in your response. Instead you should phrase it like “The audience may have been in this situation…” or “The audience in 1960 may have expected this…”

Homework – complete these questions With reference to one of your texts, explain the nature and function of the story element character. (5 marks) Using the other text you studied this year, discuss how cause and effect contributes to the development of the narrative. (5 marks)