After Watching All The Films In Week Two's Content

After Watching All The Films In Week Twos Content With The Exceptio

After watching all the films in Week Two’s content (with the exception of The Birth of a Nation), discuss at least 5 storytelling/narrative/plot devices or editing choices that you have seen in recent films or TV shows. How did these devices or choices help drive the story? Then link those narrative techniques to the films you watched. For example: In The Gilded Cage (1915) we see a classic Cinderella story in which Marie the stepdaughter is treated like a servant compared with Eloise. We also see a classic story about marrying for wealth vs love. Both of these themes are common plot device in today’s tv shows and films. Respond to at least two of your fellow classmates.

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In contemporary film and television, storytelling relies heavily on specific narrative devices, plot structures, and editing choices to engage audiences and advance the storyline. These techniques function as essential tools that shape character development, create suspense, illustrate themes, and guide viewers through complex narratives. By exploring five prominent devices or choices, and linking them to recent media, we can better understand how storytelling evolves and maintains relevance across eras.

Firstly, flashbacks are a prevalent narrative device used extensively in current media. They provide background information and depth to characters’ motivations, often revealing critical details that influence the present storyline. For example, TV series like “Breaking Bad” utilize flashbacks to expose Walter White’s past ethically questionable decisions, which informs the audience's understanding of his transformation. Similarly, films such as “Memento” employ reverse chronological flashbacks to disorient viewers intentionally, emphasizing the protagonist’s memory loss and quest for truth. These devices are instrumental in adding layers to stories, allowing viewers to piece together character backgrounds and plot points in a more engaging manner.

Secondly, non-linear storytelling has gained popularity due to its ability to create suspense and deepen narrative complexity. Series like “Westworld” and movies such as “Pulp Fiction” adopt this approach, presenting events out of chronological order to challenge the viewer’s perceptions. This technique enables filmmakers to reveal information gradually, build anticipation, and reinforce thematic elements. For instance, by presenting the same event from multiple perspectives in “Westworld,” producers complicate notions of reality and identity, ultimately driving thematic inquiry and viewer engagement.

Third, the use of symbolism and visual metaphors has become a staple for conveying complex themes beyond dialogue. Films like “Blade Runner 2049” incorporate visual motifs—such as the recurring imagery of eyes—to explore themes of perception and consciousness. In recent TV shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” symbolic costumes serve to underline themes of control and subjugation. These choices enrich narrative layers, encouraging viewers to interpret deeper meanings while reinforcing storytelling themes non-verbally.

Fourth, rapid editing and montage sequences are employed to accelerate storytelling and evoke emotional responses swiftly. The frenetic editing in action sequences of recent superhero movies like “Avengers: Endgame” sustains excitement and highlights chaos or urgency. Similarly, montage sequences in shows like “Stranger Things” summarize character development or plot progression without lengthy exposition. These choices not only maintain pacing but also compel emotional reactions, thus aligning viewers more intimately with the story.

Finally, voice-over narration continues to serve as a device that provides insight into characters' inner thoughts or offers commentary on the unfolding events. Films such as “Goodfellas” demonstrate this technique effectively, creating intimacy and clarity. In recent TV serials like “Sherlock,” voice-overs guide the audience through complex deduction processes, making abstract reasoning accessible and engaging.

Linking these devices to the films viewed in Week Two, films like “The Gilded Cage” utilize classic narrative devices such as the Cinderella motif and themes of marriage for wealth versus love, which are timeless and still prominent in modern storytelling. Today’s TV shows and films often echo these themes through character archetypes and plot devices that emphasize social mobility, morality, and love. For example, the portrayal of Cinderella-like figures in shows like “Downton Abbey” or movies such as “Pretty Woman” reflects contemporary reimaginings of traditional fairy-tale motifs, adapted with layered character development and modern settings.

In summary, storytelling in contemporary visual media employs a variety of narrative devices—flashbacks, non-linear storytelling, symbolism, rapid editing, and voice-over narration—that are vital in driving plot, developing characters, and eliciting emotional engagement. These techniques, rooted in classic storytelling traditions, are continually evolved and refined, ensuring that modern films and TV shows remain compelling and thematically rich, resonating with audiences across generations.

References

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