Parallel Narrative: How Parallel Narrative Multiplies Your Story Choices
Very often things like flashbacks, flash forwards, non-linear narratives, multiple plots and ensemble casts are regarded as optional gimmicks stuck into the conventional three act structure. They're not. Each of the six types I've isolated and their subcategories provides a different take on the same story material. Suddenly, one idea for a film can give you a multitude of story choices. My book The 21st Century Screenplay provides detailed explanations and guidelines for writing conventional narrative and also the six families of parallel and nonlinear narrative structures (and their subcategories) along with information on some well-known hybrids.
For charts, templates, case studies, hypotheticals and highly-detailed analysis and step-by-step help with planning, use The 21st Century Screenplay.
For charts, templates, case studies, hypotheticals and highly-detailed analysis and step-by-step help with planning, use The 21st Century Screenplay.