narrative.
A Linear plot is basically a type of plot that goes from A-B. The plot style of fairytales, and most media out there. The story will be shown in chronological order, aside from a flashback or two, and there is no confusion in what direction the story is going. A usual Linear plot will go something like this:
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We are introduced to our character.
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There is an incident which takes our character on a journey. (equilibrium)
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A conflict is presented. (disequilibrium/disruption)
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The character does things while fighting this conflict to bring us to the climax. (recognition)
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The climax happens, where everything the character does is brought to this one point.
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After the climax, the character would have found/will be finding a way to resolve the conflict. (Attempt to repair)
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The conflict is resolved, happy ending. In some cases, it isn’t, and nobody is satisfied. (new equilibrium)
Linear plots follow Todorov’s theory, which is that every story follows the same plot points, a beginning, a problem and a solution. And in a sense, he’s right. Movies like Iron man, Titanic, The princess bride and Lost in translation follow this theory.
Linear Plot
Flashbacks
Flashbacks, according to google are ‘a scene in a film, novel, etc. set in a time earlier than the main story.’ Flashbacks, are a type of scene in a film used to show a character’s backstory/past experiences, and to provide exposition.
The very FIRST flashback in cinema history is Histoire d’un crime, a french crime silent film made by Ferdinand Zecca. In it, a burglar is arrested for a murder, and he sees flashbacks of his life depicted on the walls of his cell, before being executed.
It’s. Depressing.
Some other, happier movies with flashbacks include Slumdog Millionaire, Black Panther, Flashbacks of a fool, and flashbacks.
A movie named flashbacks. That’s it. Made in 1990.
The very first non linear film was Intolerance, in which showed four different but similar plots at the same time.
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Non Linear plots are when you take Todorov’s theory, and yank it off a cliff.
Examples of these types on movies include Pulp Fiction, The Prestige, and Irreversible.
It’s the exact opposite of a Linear plot, in which every scene plays in whatever order it wants to, and usually doesn’t follow one plot, let alone go in chronological order.
Non Linear Plot
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It’s just life. A realistic movie is when a plot in a movie or show is based on real life experiences and things. They’re usually set in the present day, have linear plots, and some can be based on true stories and real life events, with things like relationships or real life dangers being at the forefront of the conflict. Most historical films fit into this category.
Some good examples of such films are Wonder, Schindler’s list, and Hidden figures.
Realist
Imagine an art gallery. Everything is beautiful, yes, but there is always that one art piece that you fail to understand. You stare at it, and wonder to yourself.
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“This is supposed to represent something?"
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"What the hell is this thing supposed to be?”
And you have to get up from the nice bench to walk to the plaque that describes the piece so you can get some form of an idea about what the piece is.
That’s what anti realism is for films. They’re the opposite of a realist narrative, diverting from any realism, and the mostly revolve around the abstract. A good example of this is Dogville, where the entire film, i kid you not, was set in one theatre, with only props to give you an idea of where the characters were.
Anti Realist
Closed Ending
A closed ending is an ending that is absolute. The Tolorov ending. “And they all lived happily ever after. When you watch a closed ending, you’re never confused, and you’ll never be, because you know what happened at the end. You have a definite answer on where everyone is at the ending. The apple did not have to fall far, because you knew how to catch it.
If you want a good example of a closed ending, think every single disney film ever made, like. The little mermaid, and Frozen. Also things like the Lord of the Rings, and Star wars.
Usually, with closed endings, you can guess how the movie ends, with just a good knowledge of films. And that’s where Open endings get you.
Open Endings
Open endings are the endings that you debate about. They’re endings that make you think, endings that make you leave the viewer confused as hell. Usually, the true ending of the story is up to the viewer’s interpretation, hence the debating.
Think of things like, the Black Swan, in which the main character goes insane, and stabs her best friend, only to realise that she has stabbed herself, and whether she lives or dies is a mystery or 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which you aren’t sure whether the main character is hallucinating, or has actually become god.
