While structure does not directly apply to my environment the same way character and theme does, I’m not just submitting the environment. I am submitting a video of that location, which means that structure can be explored in how I direct the camera around the environment. The structure of the video I create can also be used to directly inform the 3D Blockout of the environment and the assets I need to create.

:: What is Structure & How is it Used? ::

The importance of structure is something that is well established and explored in our media. Whether that be the three act structure (Ref.1) or exploring some of the more unique story structures such as ‘in media res’ or the ‘sparklines’ methodology. There are many ways to tell a story, and each of them have their own positives and negatives. Starting a story in the middle for example (in medias res) can hook the audience right from the start but done badly can disorient the audience and convolute the story being told.

The structure of a film can also be used to help create the feeling of the piece. For example, using the sparklines structure often lends itself to comedy, where the difference between the reality and the expectation can be at its greatest. This example of story structure is present throughout the comedy television show ‘Scrubs’ (NBC, 2001). The whole premise of the show is the comedic differences between what the main character of ‘J.D.’ expects to happen and imagines happening and the reality he finds himself in.

The other storytelling structures each lend themselves to other stories also. A heroes journey is often used in adventure films, where as mystery films often use the ‘in media res’ structure for their stories.

:: How Can I Use Structure to Tell my Story? ::

The only issue with the narratives explored is that many of these narratives are used to tell long stories with multiple acts or a full character journey. Which is not something I will be doing with my environment video. I am telling the story after the fact, with an emphasis on the character that populates that scene. As such the camera work is going to be used to focus on different assets at a time to help the viewer piece together the limited story being told within the environment.

While I can use interesting camera work, such as Dutch angles or twists to create unease should my environment call for it I am somewhat limited in implementing long structure formats. I can however be selective with what parts of the environment I show first. I am not submitting an environment, rather a video of that environment. The video is also not intended to be a simple beauty shot of said environment, where on a portfolio piece you want to show as much of the environment as possible in this video I will be telling my story with the use of the camera.

For example, if I were to take the location of a news anchors changing room, fighting for the resistance. I would choose to show the pictures of the character and their partner of the same gender before I show the news bulletin showing the fictional countries government intent to outlaw homosexual marriage. This would allow me to establish the characters motivation in a curated way rather than just hoping the viewer picks these elements out from the environment.

:: References ::

Film Riot (2020). ‘How to Build Your Story Structure’ [YouTube Video]. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZnl3oPrX8&ab_channel=FilmRiot [Accessed 03/11/2022]

‘Scrubs’ (2001). Directed by Bill Lawrence. NBC & ABC Network. Available online: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285403/ [Accessed 03/11/2022]