1. Elements of a Good Story

2. A good story is… 1. unified in plot 2. credible 3. interesting
4. both simple and complex
5. careful with emotional material

3. Good story is unified in plot
Single thread of continuous action
One event leads to another naturally (event A leads to event B then event C etc.)
Sometimes plot is episodic, composed of events that bear no direct relationship to each other (event B is shown then A then C)
In this case the audience is expected to make the connections
Usually there is a plot or thematic reason for doing this
Examples: Pulp Fiction, Memento

4. Good story is credible 3 ways to make a story credible
1. externally observable truths, the way things really are
2. internal truths of human nature, the way things are supposed to be (ie fairy tale endings, poetic justice)
3. artistic semblance of truth, the way things never were and never will be
Imaginary but believable through the magic of film
“willing suspension of disbelief”

5. Good story is interesting
The filmmaker is expected to do away with the irrelevant and distracting, instead they focus on…
Suspense- heightens our interest by withholding information and answers
Action- movement and change, can be internal or external

6. Good story is both simple and complex
Film should be subtle enough to keep viewer guessing
The good ending DOES derive naturally out of the film
No sudden surprise out of nowhere

7. Good story is careful with emotional material
Overusing emotional material can lead to some viewers claiming sentimentality (too mushy, too lovey-dovey)
Understatement means downplaying emotional material
Example- To Kill a Mockingbird, Rudy