Assignment 6: Simple film narrative structure analysisBy : Abigail Menzies

The Last Song (Drama)•Rebellious teenager (Ronnie) and her brother gets sent to their father to spend summer•Ronnie goes to the beach to avoid talking to her dad, at the beach she meets Will •After spending the night with Will watching turtle eggs, they both realize their feelings for each other•Ronnie and Will fall in love and Ronnie forms a stronger bond with her father•After her father collapses Ronnie finds out her father has stomach cancer and he doesn’t have long to live•Ronnie and Will gets into an argument as Ronnie finds out that Will knew that his friend had burnt down the church and he made her father feel guilty•Summer finishes and Ronnie stays back with her dad to spend his last few weeks with him•Ronnie’s dad dies and after the funeral, Will apologizes for everything and Ronnie forgives him and will tells Ronnie he is moving to a university nearer to her so he can be with her

A) Has the institution created a text with a conventional narrative structure?

Yes, there is a clear linear narrative which could be broken down into:

-Act 1 (set up)-Act 2 (conflict)-Act 3 (resolution)

B)Is the film narrative implicit or explicit?

Explicit Narrative Reasons

Explicit Narrative Evidence

Film begins with the main character entering the town she’s spending the summer

The main character finds love by the middle of the film and starts to enjoy her summer

Summer is ruined by father’s illness and main character also breaks up her boyfriend.

Even though her father dies, the film has a happy ending as Will apologizes and Ronnie and Will get back together

The film is narrative is explicit, as the film narrative structure is clear and obvious.

Film ends with Ronnie driving away smiling

Ronnie and Will kiss and make up

Ronnie and Will get into an argument

Main character is introduced in the first scene

Will and Ronnie spend night together and realise their feelings for each other

Will and Ronnie spending time together

Ronnie’s dad is rushed to hospital

Act 1: Beginning

Ronnie and Will meet for the first time

Ronnie and Will spend the night and watch baby turtle eggs together

Ronnie’s dad and Jonah (her brother) bond while mending the church window

This adds to the set up of Act 1 because:•Introduction to the two main characters•Audience feels okay as nothing bad has happened so far•The beach environment creates a happy mood

This adds to the set up of Act 1 because:•Audience can predict that the couple will fall in love cause they have similar interests•From this scene he learn about Will’s life and Ronnie’s life

This adds to the set up of Act 1 because:•This father and son bond evokes happiness from audience

RonnieWill

In act 1 Ronnie and Will meet for the first time at the beach and after spending the night together watching baby turtle eggs they realize their feelings for each other. While Jonah (Ronnie’s brother) bonds with his dad

Jonah

Steve (Ronnie and Jonah’s dad)

Ronnie

Will

Act 2: Middle

Will’s sister’s wedding Ronnie finds out her father has cancer

Ronnie breaks up with Will

This adds to the conflict of Act 2 because:•Will and Marcus get into a fight•Marcus tries to take Ronnie away from Will

This adds to the conflict of Act 2 because:•Audience feel sympathy for the characters•They worry about there being a happy ending

This adds to the conflict of Act 2 because:•The argument between Ronnie and Will cause the audience to worry

In act 2 Will’s sister’s wedding is ruined by Marcus who creates a commotion. Ronnie finds out that her father has cancer and doesn’t have long to live and also Ronnie finds out that Will knew the whole time that who burnt down the church.

Marcus comes and disrupts the wedding

Ronnie is scared to lose her dad

The distance between them adds tension to the scene

Ronnie holds on Will for protection

Act 3: End

Ronnie and Will make up

Will helps Jonah complete the church window

This adds to the resolution of act 3 because:•Ronnie and Will get back together•The audience are happy as everything is resoluted

This adds to the resolution of act 3 because:•The father’s task is completed•Audience feels reassured because the father’s task is done

Why have the film makers done this?

To conform to the expectations from the audience for e.g. the audience expect Ronnie to fall in love with Will

This structure makes the film easy to follow and doesn't confuse audience

Film makers do this as the audience are familiar with this structure of films

What impact does this have on the audience?

Audience view this structure of films as a formality therefore audience will expect most films to go by this structure

This structure diverts the audience from real life problems e.g. underage children who have no choice but to look after their family as they may be ill

This structure leaves the audience satisfied as the movie ends with a happy ending

What audience expectations have they established or challenged by using this structure?

They reinforce the idea of a happy ending As this a romantic drama film, film makers reinforce conventions

of this genre so audience recognise this genre