Seminar 1

This first seminar was a brief introduction to the module and what was expected of us in terms of learning outcomes and submissions. After a quick run down of the module guide we began discussing what fiction was and what it meant to us as well as what separated a fictional film to a non-fictional one. Most people said that fiction and fictional film was something that is made up or not true where as non-fictional films are documentaries and aren't made up. However, this asked the question whether or not films 'based on true events' and dramatisations, are counted as fictional films or not. For example Marin Scorsese's Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is based on a book written by the man who experienced these events and it is 'based' off them, but the film leads the viewer to believe (and carries many of the conventions) that it is a work of fiction. However, could it be argued that it is a dramatic reconstruction and therefore be linked to documentary? This made us decide that fictional film does not have to be entirely made up (such as a Star Wars) but can be a film maker or screenwriters own perspective on events with a mixture between fiction and non-fictional content.

After this discussion, we moved on to what makes up a fictional film and how it is structured. We started by looking at the 'three act structure' which is the narrative backbone for many conventional fictional films. This model suggests that films are broken down into three different acts or narrative points, put in their most simple way, a beginning, middle and end or as the model says; the set up, confrontation/ development and the resolution.

Diagram of Three Act Structure. Source: http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm

Act One:
Act one is conventionally an exposition of what's to come in the narrative where the main character is introduced along with the dramatic premise, sometimes in the form of an antagonist. This act also includes the inciting incident which is an event that sets the story out for the rest of the film. Plot point one is also included near the end of this act which works alongside the inciting incident to springboard the audience into the story

Act Two:
Act two normally introduces obstacles laid in the way of the main character to achieving their want or need and makes up the bulk of the film, often being the hardest part to keep the audience engaged with. It contains a Midpoint, where the character is close to achieving their want/need but then reaches their lowest point being the farthest away from obtaining it. Plot point two is when they pick themselves back up and begin the journey to the resolution. Act two also normally includes what is known as a first culmination, which is just before the midpoint and involves the main character almost getting what they want but due to the obstacles placed in-front of them, they fail and reach the midpoint of the narrative.

Act Three:
This final act is known as the resolution, where the characters journey ends and they conventionally either get what they wanted all along or what they needed. This act involves the climax (second culmination) where the plot reaches its maximum tension and the protagonist changes due to the journey they have been through in an emotional or physical sense. It can also end on a denouement where the film reaches a state of equilibrium and normal life returns.