Narrative and Narration

Psycho (1960)

Dir: Alfred Hitchcock

"No one...BUT NO ONE...will be admitted to the theatre after the start of each performance of PSYCHO."

Let's look at CAUSE-EFFECT LOGIC in narrative film: The first three scenes of Psycho reveal the importance of 'narrative logic'. By scene three we have established the cause or motivation that will drive the film. From scene four onwards we will see the effects of Marion's actions (her decision to steal the money).

One fruitful ways to analyse cause-effect logic in narrative film is to imagine the scenes in a different order.

1. What would be the effect if Psycho began with scene 3? It's plausible but not logical – we don’t have enough information to understand Marion’s motives.
2. In what ways is scene 3 the direct effect of scenes 1 and 2?
3. Is it just a coincidence that the money is shown in the scene immediately after Marion and Sam talk about their inability to get married?
4. Why don't we see Marion travelling from the hotel to her office, or from office to home?
5. Why don't we see Sam going to the airport?

So what do we mean by ‘narrative’?  It refers to WHAT happens or what is depicted in films (as well as novels) while ‘narration’ refers to HOW that narrative is presented to the film spectator.