Investigation into the relationship

between story and structure in film

Ryan Leitao

In this essay one will be investigating the relationship between story and structure within film.

One will focus particularly on aspects such as camera movement, editing and order of scenes.
Specifically, the use of narrative, chronological sequencing, as well as notable films which utilise
which pushes the boundaries of film structure.

Some specific examples one will be using to base this investigation on are Quentin Tarintino’s
‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992) and ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994), Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rope’ (1948), Paul Haggis’
‘Crash’ (2004), Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘The Conversation’ (1974), and Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Who Framed
Roger Rabbit’ (1988).

Some Key Texts one will be using in order to support my investigation are ‘The technique of film and
video editing: history, theory, and practice’ By Ken Dancyger, ‘Directing the Story: Professional
Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques’ By Francis Glebas, and ‘Technique of Film Editing’ By
Karel Reisz.

The investigation will begin by examining the different types of editing employed by mainstream
modern cinema. Furthermore one will be examining films which utilised noteworthy editing
practices such as Hitchcock’s ‘Rope’, Zemeckis ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and Tarintino’s ‘Pulp
Fiction’.