What is a Frame Narrative? — Why Writers Use the Literary Device

What is a Frame Story — We look at framed narratives, what they mean, and why they're so popular today.

─────────────────────

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Framed Narratives
00:50 - Frame Narrative Definitions
02:15 - Chapter 1 - Types of Frame Narratives
06:10 - Chapter 2 - Functions of Frame Narratives
10:17 - Chapter 3 - Structure
15:40 - Takeaways

─────────────────────

WHAT IS A FRAMED NARRATIVE

Sometimes, a narrative contains multiple stories. You've likely seen it before– a character in one story starts to weave another, separate tale. This structure is called a frame narrative, where stories are told within stories. In this video, we'll look at why storytellers love this technique, what power they can bring to a story, and how they work.

TYPES OF FRAME STORIES

Frame narratives can take many different forms. There's the most common, the bookend, which begins and ends with a character telling a story. Then there's the flashbacks, which can be similarly structured. There's also in-story media, where there is a book or TV show or film taking place within the story. There's also the series of stories, where a much of different tales are told sequentially. And finally, there's the story within a story within a story, where there's more than two layers to the onion.

WHY USE FRAMED NARRATIVES

Frame narratives serve several functions in film. First, they provide a structural framework that organizes the main narrative, offering a context or perspective that enriches the audience's understanding of the story. This can create depth by providing additional layers of meaning or by juxtaposing different perspectives on the same events.

Second, frame narratives can enhance engagement by drawing viewers into the story through the process of discovery or through the lens of a storyteller's perspective. They can also serve as a narrative device to establish themes, set the tone, or create suspense by delaying the revelation of crucial information until the appropriate moment.

HOW TO WRITE FRAMED TALES

Writing a framed narrative requires clarity. Make sure your reader can follow what timeline is what. You'll also need to decide on who is narrating the story-- is it your protagonist, a side character, or no one? Make sure you ask yourself why you're writing a frame narrative. If it can work as a more straight forward story, you might not need to bog yourself down with framing.

By mastering the art of frame narratives, filmmakers can create intricate, thought-provoking films that resonate with audiences long after the credits roll. Whether used to explore psychological depths, showcase diverse perspectives, or simply enhance storytelling complexity, frame narratives remain a powerful tool in the cinematic toolbox.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

─────────────────────

♬ SONGS USED:

"A Battle in the East" - Rhythm Scott
"A Moon Walk (Instrumental)" - Yehezkel Raz
"Wall of Fire" - Tony Anderson
"Life's Journey Begins" - idokay
"Overture And Sanitarium" - Craig Armstrong
"Icicles" - Yehezkel Raz
"The Tale Of The Three Brothers" - Alexandre Desplat
"Drive My Car" - Eiko Ishibashi
"Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" - Spinal Tap
"Dream Is Collapsing" - Hans Zimmer
"Adaptation (Fat Boy Slim Remix)" - Carter Burwell
"Djinn Theme" - Tom Holkenborg
"Curiosity" - Kevin Graham
"Prelude - The Atlas March" - Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil
"WXYZ-TV Channel 8" - Alexandre Desplat
"In Love with Emi" - Fabien Fustinoni
"Dirty Walk" - Antonio Sànchez
"Dojo Tradition (Instrumental)" - In This World
"Inquisitions" - Kevin Graham
"Chevalet" - idokay
"Glass" - Claudio Laucci
"Once Upon a Time... Storybook Love" - Mark Knopfler
"Battle Dance" - Rhythm Scott
"I'm Forrest... Forrest Gump" - Alan Silvestri
"s'Rothe-Zäuerli" - Öse Schuppel
"Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl" - yeule
"Pictures" - Danny Elfman
"End Titles" - Danny Elfman
"State Lines (Instrumental)" - Aaron Kellim

─────────────────────

Looking for a project management platform for your filmmaking? StudioBinder is an intuitive project management solution for video creatives; create shooting schedules, breakdowns, production calendars, shot lists, storyboards, call sheets and more.

— Join us on Social Media! —

#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

[blueelmo]

This channel is more useful than university

[lukerng]

Studio binder is single-handedly teaching me how to be a Director.

[ChaleyKwameGh]

As an upcoming filmmaker, watching stubiobinders videos is no longer a to do list but a reflex action type of thing

[merakimade]

Most good directors will take acting classes or courses...great ones will find this channel...😉😋

[y_fam_goeglyd]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your writing videos. I actually did creative writing at uni, but I feel I've learned more from watching you. The visuals probably help, but you explain everything so clearly. Thank you!

[alexyorkshots]

Bravo for mentioning the grossly underappreciated and under-discussed masterpiece "The Fall" by Tarsem!

[Swiftdogg]

A famous Director was quoted: "Didn't go to film school but I watch Studiobinder everyday."

[rayancedrichaddad]

One of the Most Inspiring way to tell A Story and to make it more suspenseful sometimes is the Frame Narrative. This is a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about this Writing process. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder for this Inspiring video!💯💯💯💯

[jonathangriffin]

I have written a psychological thriller that is a bookends frame narrative. This video is awesome! Studiobinder, you rock!! Keep up the great work making great informative videos on filmmaking!! 😊

[asherphoenix]

I would love to see a video on Andrey Tarkovsky, Béla Tarr, Ingmar Bergman, Robert Bresson, Michelangelo Antonioni, or Kenji Mizoguchi. You have so much great content about the Hollywood tradition and it would be wonderful to see some videos about international artists!

[hornet]

Another well done lesson. I didn't know exactly what a frame narrative was but I am aware of the concept of the story within a story. For my novel, I had to use the "Interview with the Vampire" style to show the reader and the character doing the interview, the life of the protagonist. So here I used the framed narrative and to show when and where the story was taking place and returning to the "present", I used date and time markers. In film, the transitions have to be very direct and clear. And the narrator has to indicate when the nested story, or that segment, is complete. Thank you again StudioBinder for a great lesson!

[Hitchfred_Alcock]

@StudioBinder I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos and I rewatch them frequently. Maybe here is an idea for a next video: could you make a guide on how to properly shoot table scenes with more than two people sitting at it. I'm talking about like 4+ up to 8 maybe. How do you establish the position/location of each character and how to film and cut without losing the overview and orientation of who is talking to whom in a heated debate or when there is rapid back and forth cutting.
Just an idea.
Thank you <3

[kamokwele]

I love this because it's exactly what I've been studying for my 2nd Feature Film. Especially in love with the way Wes Anderson does it in The Grand Budapest Hotel. A grand story told along a line of different timelines.

[ratemyactors]

Fascinating video! I never knew that framed narratives were so widely used in literature and storytelling. The examples you provided really helped to illustrate how this literary device can add depth and complexity to a story. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more framed narratives in the books and movies I consume. Thanks for the informative and engaging explanation!

[SuperRadChad]

This is the type of videos I've been looking for!

[brunocristi]

I wrote a Framed Narrative without knowing there was a name for it, for my short-film The Black Cat.
With this vid I now understand it better.
Thanks StudioBinder.
Cheers 😁

[khakimzhanmiras]

One of the most genius framing devices/designing principles was in Disney’s Hercules.
It took me ages to figure out that Hercules was literally a greek tragedy, the muses performing the choral pauses in the story. Genius.

[Rodrigo-fsvc]

Great video!

Interview with the Vampire is another great example

[Pops_Gambit]

Love it! Keep it coming. Video on Plot Holes maybe?

[useofthirds]

I have been trying to figure out what this device is called literally for years. Thank you, StudioBinder. Lol