Unit 22 Linear vs Non Linear structure

I'm going to start with my favourite.

Non linear narrative structure 

The non linear narrative structure is when the story line doesn't have a specific order so this means it allows the film/production to use flashbacks (a scene in a film, novel, etc. set in a time earlier than the main story) and basically in non-chronological order (The same way i'm starting with non linear structure even though the title clearly states "Linear .Often, the order of the events is rearranged or deconstructed which describes the main characters feelings or psychological state (literary), in most cases heart break and sadness. Single camera production is excellent when making non linear films. However, it will all make sense in the end. This sort of narrative is very exciting because it makes the audience want it adds up to at the end. 

An example of a non linear film is "Inception", the order was clear from the beginning because it started in a building with people confronting each other and tension was present which obviously is not a equilibrium. It is not normal. Also as the scene continued there was a cross between time or maybe two worlds, so whatever was happening in the present world had an effect in the other world. 

This guy is being drowned. 

                                                                               

Water appears in the next world

This scene is an example of the crossing of the two worlds. As this guy is dipped into water in this world, in the other world water comes gushing from the windows in the other world. This supports my point of the literary side of non linear films because the use of this structure is to point out that 'whatever you do always has an impact on your life whether you like it or not.'

Most people enjoy non-linear films because they like to be challenged, people that like being intellectually challenged. They like to know something has happened and then find out. So this is the target audience for Inception. It allows escapism as the audience are basically travelling with this man and they are out of reality.

                                                                          

Linear Narrative Structure   

You obviously know what the definition of linear means by now, the opposite of non-linear narrative. 

The linear narrative structure runs in chronological order, events happening in order in which the characters experience and can be explained with Todorov's theory (in my opinion). Most people do not prefer this structure because it is too simple and not as complicated as films should be, film is a art and should go out of the ordinary.

An example of a film/production with linear narrative structure is the simpsons and i will describe it in the three stages when talking about chronological order (beginning,middle and ending):


Beginning starts with everything being normal and everything is casual. 

Marge and Lisa has just been shopping 

Middle shows some sort of conflict with the villain and Victim. In this case the mayor vs the simpsons.

The mayor is being targeted by Marge and Lisa as they are suspicious.

The whole family has sorted out the issue. 

At the End the villain often gets defeated and gotten rid of while the hero is complimented and praised. 

Having a linear narrative has a smooth effect on the audience as the story is running smoothly and won't be challenging to understand what's going on.