project 17 - time

Choose a non-linear narrative and try to devise a diagram of the narrative structure. 

I have watched Reservoir Dogs, and the graph below shows real time vs movie time:

The narrative moves between the events pre and post the robbery. We don't get to see the actual moment when they get the diamonds. First scene is just before the crime, then we move back and forth to events before and after that moment.
It is done in a way that makes it easy to follow, nicely signalised mainly by the places where the events take place. Most of the scene After the robbery are filmed in a warehouse, them dressed in black suits. Before the crime both the clothing and the scenarios change.

Examples of time contracted and expanded.  

Expanded time example
Amelie finds out who is the mysterious man that collects rejected photos. Tension builds up as he approaches the photo cabin, and we can see how time slows down and the noise of the steps is audible everywhere.




The plastic bag scene in American Beauty lasts 3min approximately. We can see a plastic bag dancing with the wind. The music is a huge part of it, making this rather simple scene be emotive and beautiful.


Also in American Beauty the scene where Mena Suvari is cheer leading and Kevin Spacey imagines her dancing for him only, we can see how everything slows down and then speeds up back to reality.

Contracted time example
Forest Gump runs for three years, and we are told in a sequence of a bit less of 7 minutes. The link between the scenes is the voice over and the images of him running, his beard and hair growing.





THE example of time contraction would be Boyhood. Richard Linklater recorded this movie for twelve years, where we can see Mason's life. When I went to the cinema to watch it I did not have a clue about this, and it did amaze me. Not that I think the movie is anything particular aside this, as nothing really happens in the narrative, but as some friend told me... life happens.




Write a script that links two different parts of the same day. 

The family (dad, mum and two kids, 10 an 12 years old) get through the gates of the theme park. The kids go running ahead and the camera moves up to the sky. We see the sunset and the camera moves down to the ground again, we see mum and dad getting into the car, the kids are knackered in the car back seat.