Narrative - Structure, Formulas and Devices

Continuity Editing:


This makes the whole film very free flowing and makes each shot transition smooth.


Cause and Effect:


The clear establishment of 'cause and effect' plotting sets up character motivations and helps tell an interesting story which proceeds logically and steadily.


Enigma:


This refers to a puzzle, something mysterious or inexplicable, a riddle or a difficult problem. In thrillers this is commonly something which the protagonist has to try and solve before the narrative is resolved and the film finishes.

Red Herring:


A red herring is the name given to a device which intends to divert the audience from the truth or an item of significance. Can work with other devices (enigmas) to create suspense.
E.g. In Saw, two characters spend time imprisoned in a room in which a third character lies dead. Throughout the film, both characters appear to be guilty of a series of murders, until it is discovered at the end of the film that the third person was never really dead and is in fact the real killer.


Cliffhanger:


Often these feature a main character in a difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation. This entices the audience and keeps them watching to see how it gets resolved. North by Northwest has a literal cliffhanger at the end!