Narrative Devices Flashcards
Foreshadowing
Subtle hinting at events that will happen later in the film
How does foreshadowing help tell the audience about the story or characters?
They give the plot away (with hindsight)
Used for comical effect
Cliff Hanger
When a story is left open-ended and unresolved
Flashback
To show events that happened in the past
Flashforward
To show events that will happen in the future
How do Flashforwards help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Tells us about Shaun living in fantasy world, and his real life persona is NOT as heroic!
Red Herring
Deliberately misleading your audience
How do Red Herrings help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Subtle wink to audience as we are expecting appearance of zombies
Repition
A device where a technique or scene is repeated to highlight similarities and differences
How does Repition help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Play on the differences, highlights Shaun’s naivety and progress as hero
Chekhov’s Gun
An object or detail that will have significance later in the story
How does Chekhov’s Gun help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Allows a stereotypical action weapon to appear in this atypical zombie film.
Makes Shaun look more heroic
Dramatic Irony
When the audience see/hear things that the characters are unaware of
How does Dramatic Irony help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Creates tension
Used for comical effect
Intertextuality
Using another text to parody, pastiche etc
How does Intertextuality help tell the audience about the story or characters?
Homage to famous Zombie films ‘Dawn of the Dead’ adds extra meaning
