Storytelling Fundamentals: Character, Conflict, and Narrative Structure

The Mechanics of Narrative Structure

• Typically, a narrative begins with an initial situation (Exposition).
• A series of changes occurs according to a pattern of cause and effect.
• Finally, a new situation arises—through character choice and conflict—that restores equilibrium to the world of the story and brings about the end of the narrative.
• The new story equilibrium almost always results in character change.

Character Focus in Narrative Film

Narrative films generally focus on human characters and their struggles.

Characters are typically responsible for cause and effect within the narrative.

Developing Dynamic Characters

How do writers develop round, dynamic characters?

• Through conversations with other characters
• Through group associations
• Through direct description of that character
• Through reactions to conflict

Types of Characters in Storytelling

Storytellers use different types of characters to tell their stories:

• Flat: Minor characters who do not go through any substantial change throughout the story or have much substance to them (think stereotypes).
• Round: More fully developed characters who may experience a change during the story.

Character Traits and Personalities

Personalities are attitudes, skills, habits, tastes, psychological drives, and any other qualities that distinguish a character.

Traits introduced in opening scenes are relevant to later scenes; this is related to cause and effect.

Character Choices and Goals

• Characters create cause and effect through choices that lead to conflict and consequences.
• These patterns are designed so that the viewer clearly sees and understands them.
• Characters possess traits, face conflicts, make choices, and undergo changes that enable or hinder the pursuit of a specific goal.

Goals and Obstacles

Goals might include locating treasure, choosing a foster parent, or looking for love.

Characters encounter obstacles in pursuing these goals. The collision of goals and obstacles creates conflict and thus drama.

Types of Conflicts

Common conflict structures include:

• Man vs. Man
• Man vs. Nature
• Man vs. Himself
• Man vs. Society
• Man vs. Machine
• Man vs. Supernatural

Diegetic vs. Non-Diegetic Elements in Film

Diegetic elements are everything that exists in the world that the film depicts—including everything implied off-screen: settings, sounds, characters, and events.

Non-diegetic elements are elements within the film, but not within the film’s world, such as credits, music, or voice-over narration.

Characters are unaware of these non-diegetic elements.