Analysis: Short dramas

On Thursday, we watched several short dramas with the intention on breaking down their narrative structure. We looked at each of the four components of narrative structure in drama:

THE INCITING INCIDENT - the event that causes the drama to begin
OBSTACLES - things the characters must overcome on their way to resolution
CLIMAX - the dramatic moment that the film has been building up to
DENOUEMENT - things begin to get resolved

As I am directing for this project, I feel that it would be beneficial to undertake an exercise in which I try to identify these components in the short films were were shown.


SIGN LANGUAGE by Oscar Sharpe (2010)
Inciting incident: It is the character's last day at work.
Obstacles: His friends/colleagues seem disinterested that he will be leaving.
Climax: His friends reveal they were playing a joke and tell him to ask his crush out.
Denouement: He is accepted by the girl and starts his new job.

I loved the style of this film, as I felt the way that it was filmed in the style of a documentary was really interesting. This is something that I may consider using in my own project, however it would have to be suited to the concept as it would not work well with most ideas.


PUDDING BOWL by Vanessa Caswill (2009)
Inciting incident: The character's brother wants to go and play with his friends but he is babysitting.
Obstacles: He puts glue in her hair and their mother cuts all of her hair off.
Climax: The girl steals her brother's bicycle.
Denouement: She rides down the street in a surreal state.

This film was very charming and was my favourite one that we were shown. I loved the lighting and lens flares used during the surreal bike-riding scene. If my project has a surrealist element to it such as a dream or imaginary place, I will consider drawing inspiration from this as I feel it was done well.


ABOUT A GIRL by Brian Percival (2001)
Inciting incident: The character wants to live with her dad but he won't let her.
Obstacles: There are no clear obstacles, put perhaps it is her life, her youth or social class.
Climax: She throws her presumedly self-aborted (and previously unmentioned) baby into the water.
Denouement: She goes to get an ice cream.

I liked the surprise climax in this piece as it was totally unexpected. I understand that the seemingly banal conversation before it contributes in part to it being so shocking, but I feel that the rest of the film is not really enjoyable on the same level. I probably will not be inspired by this film with my drama.


RITE by Michael Pearce (2010)
Inciting incident: It is the character's birthday and he is spending it with his divorced father.
Obstacles: He and his father have little in common, and the character is made uncomfortable.
Climax: His father has a fit of rage and alienates his son even further.
Denouement: His homosexuality is discovered and his dad makes an effort to be supportive.

I loved this film as I felt it was very realistic but also uplifting towards the end. I feel like if I were to direct a drama, I would want to experiment with something happier and more uplifting. I will perhaps draw inspiration from the denouement of this film.