Build Your Story World

Sample Movie Deconstruction (4)

 

Now that we have a working scene list, it provides a visual map to help identify and focus balance. Later, too, we can examine which scenes were external, or internal, and what function did they provide overall, as character development, plot sequence, or setting, or atmosphere.

Depending on the storyline and genre, the framework of a movie or novel will include different sections or categories. Whether set up as a Three-Act structure, or as a beginning, middle, and end sequence, there are specific turning points that cause a directional change apart from scene endings. Each scene has its own focus point, or beat, that marks one from the previous and from the next. However these markers imply an even greater shift, even in a quiet story.

In the movie you’ve watched can you identify a prologue and/or an inciting incident? Where does Act One, Act Two, and Act Three appear? What marks the climax/resolution?

Look also for possible parallel versions of the above as well. For example, are you tracking the movie as action, so plotting out these turning points by events? Or do you primarily view it as character driven, so note emotional and thematic shifts.

In the movie Count of Monet Cristo, both can ‘plot’ lines can be tracked. For example, is the inciting incident when his best friend, Mondego, becomes jealous of Edmond’s relationship with Mercedes, which increase when Bonaparte singles Edmond out for a secret reason? Or does it occur when Edmond is arrested?

Journal Prompt:

•           What announces the prologue, the inciting incident, each act and climax/resolution in your movie?

•       Are they soft or loud, subtle or glaring?

Share: Which was the most startling? Why?

Build A Story World

Coinage--Economic Roots--Example

Knowing the coinage and economic roots can move your plot along in interesting ways. For example, in the movie The Count of Monte Cristo conflict is tied into the system from the very beginning. Alongside the financial and social system is a barter system that seeks to gain influence in various means.

Edmond Dantes is duped by Napoleon into passing on a letter. The magistrate, Villefort, acknowledges Edmond’s innocence until he discovers that the letter was meant for his father. Villefort then uses the barter to put Dantes away for life in prison; both for his own political safety and as a favor to Fernand Mondego, a childhood friend of Dantes, who despite his own wealth and status is eaten up by jealousy for anything Dantes achieves.

Although the viewer does not see the full results until the end of the movies, both men extend their pact and use the barter in increasing ways to solidify their greed as they grasp for influence and power. Fueled by his own revenge Dantes uses their very system to force them into accountability. He squeezes them financially to ruin and public display.

The moral compass and reasoning differs between all three men, but all are able to use the coinage system of their era to achieve their desired ends. And all are in conflict with each other adding critical tension to reach the crisis and climax points.

Exercise:

         Use either this movie or another of your choice, plot out the turning moral turning points/decisions for one of these characters that had a direct effect financially or socially for them.

Share: What is another well known novel or movie that you consider a good example of weaving conflict through coinage roots?