Presentation entitled Narrative Form and Patterns of Development.

1. What are the three qualities of narrative? Which one is the most important? How do these qualities work together to create a successful story? What would be the effect of the story were one or more of the elements missing?

2. What are some conventions of the classic Hollywood cinema? Where do you see these conventions in the film Star Wars? Which ones are the most important to have in a film? Which are the most important to creating a good story?

Power Point presentation on Narrative Form in Film.

1. Examine slide 12 of the website. Which photos correspond with the options? What effect do each of the climactic elements have on viewers? Which type of conflict is the most tormenting for you as an audience member to experience?

2. What are some motifs found in Star Wars? How does the use of motif help you to understand the plot and the outcome of the film? What expectations do motifs build about the behaviors of certain characters and situations?

Excerpt from Mark Axelrod's "Aspects of a Screenplay."

1. Who are some people Mark Axelrod credits with being great screenplay writers? What, in his mind, makes them great screenwriters? What films have you seen with a great script? What was it that was great about the script?

2. Which of the films Axelrod lists at the end of the article have you seen? Why do you think he considers them to be great films? Which ones did you enjoy? Which ones have you heard good things about? What makes them greatB the script, the acting, directing, design?

Donald Larsson's paper "Every Picture Tells a Story: Agency and Narration in Film."

1. The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe. How does this quote by Donald Larsson affect what you know about film? How is your interpretation of a film affected by your life experiences and your belief system? What is a movie that has touched you? How much do you think your experiences and beliefs affected the ability of the film to speak to you?

2. What do you think Larsson means by the title of his paper? What message is he trying to get across through his paper? Read through the paper overview and discuss the purpose of Larsson's paper. How does it relate to a film's narrative structure?

Outline of Narrative Conventions in Classical Hollywood Cinema using Bordwell, Thompson as well as Janet Staiger's work as a basis for the outline.

1. What narrative conventions are primarily used in film? Which ones are important to know to understand any narrative structure? Why do you think a list such as this one is a useful tool for film practitioners? Why is it a useful tool for film viewers? For college students in general?

2. What is canonic narration? Where is it used in films? What films have you seen that use it? How is it used in plays? In books? How does it differ from omniscient narration? When is omniscient narration most useful?

Discussion of Classical Hollywood Cinema.

1. What is Classical Hollywood Cinema characterized by? What is an example of a film that uses this structure? What is a film that does not? Why would a filmmaker deviate from the classic structure? What effect does a non-classic structure have on the film? On the viewer?

2. Is it possible to have elements of the classical structure mixed with elements that are not? Can you think of an example of a film that does this? What sort of variation is there even in films that do follow the classic structure?

Essay for students on Classical Hollywood style.

1. Do you agree or disagree that classical Hollywood style is character centered cinema? Why does the author think it is? Why do you agree or disagree? Can you provide an example where you feel it is true? What about where it's not true? What do you think the classical Hollywood style is centered around and why?

2. Even though spectators know films are not real, what is it about them that moves us emotionally? Why are we often trying to imitate film in real life? In what ways have films impacted your life? How does reality impact the things that are shown on film? Does knowing an event on a film really happened affect you more deeply than a fictional film about a similar circumstance?