Assignment 6: Simple Film Narrative

Structure AnalysisBy Nicole Lewis

What To Expect When You’re Expecting

• A story about five women that get pregnant.

• Jules Baxter is a famous weight lost instructor. She’s also a contest on the new dance show where she find out she is pregnant after sleeping with her dance partner.

• Holly is an photographer who adopts a baby abroad to later find out that he husband is having second thoughts.

• Wendy Cooper finally gets pregnant after two years of trying.

• Skyler Cooper is the young step mother to Wendy Copper’s husband Gary Copper. Who gets pregnant with twins.

• Rosie is a young adult who reunites with her old flame. She later gets pregnant and suffers a miscarriage.

Has the institution created a text

with conventional narrative

structure.• Yes, the institution is a clear linear narrative that

has three parts:• Act 1-Introducing the characters. Suggest that

something is going to happen.• Act 2-Conflict and trouble. • Act 3-Happy ending, everything gets resolved.• The film is explicit because it has the set up,

conflict then a happy ending

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 1)Jules Baxter dancing with Evan before she founds out she was pregnant.

Holly and her husband Alex watch Jules Baxter on the dance show.

Wendy Cooper and her husband Gary watch Jules Baxter on the dance show.

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 1) Continued.Skyler Cooper with her husband Ramsey telling her step son she is pregnant.

Rosie and her old boyfriend Marco going on their first date since the break-up.

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 2)• Jules and Evan

have many arguments ending with him leaving.

• Starts having contractions with Evan in another state.

• Holly loses her job.

• Alex lets it slip that he may not be ready for a child.

• Wendy finds out being pregnant isn't all that great.

• She feels like she is competing with Ramsey's wife who is also pregnant.

• Loses a lot of blood, while giving birth.

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 2) Continued.• Skyler finds out she is

having twins.• Has to deal with her

husband competing with his son.

• Rosie miscarries.• Couldn't stand to be next to

Marco.

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 3)Evan comes back in time for Jules water to break.

• Holly helps Alex through his doubts on adopt.

• They go to Ethiopia to get their child.

Wendy admits that pregnancy is hard, which has a good affect on her shop.

How the films use conventional narrative.

(ACT 3) Continued.• Skyler delivers her children

with no effort at all.• She puts a stop to Ramsey

and Gary's competing.

Rosie meets Marco at the hospital, they agree to go out again.

Why have the film makers done this?

• The film makers have done this as it is a typical structure.

• It is a safe way of getting high ratings and views.

What impact does this have on the audience?• It makes the audience feel secure, like they know

what ever drama that is going on it going to be resolved.

• It helps them set up for a trouble. You know after they introduce the characters something is going to happen, so you are prepared.

What audience expectations have they

established or challenged by using this

structure?• You expect some drama to happen.• They have challenged that even though it is a

comedy, miscarriage can still be present in it.• You expect a happy ending.• At the end, you find out that everyone has a

connection with each other one way for another.• Ramsey and Skyler are married. Gary, Ramsey's son,

is married to Wendy. Skyler's cousin is Rosie, who is has a growing relationship with Marco. Gary was on Jules' weight loss program. Jules was Evan dance partner on a dance competition show. She is now pregnant with his child. Wendy's photographer is Holly, who is married to Alex and Wendy suggests that Skyler use Holly for her baby photos