Narrative Ideas: Shark Bite Model

The shark bite model is a narrative theory used more and more in modern day film to please an increasingly impatient audience who want their films to be packed with action from the outset. The model states that the film should start with an initial incident starting the film as it means to go on, ie. a comedy should start with something really funny, or a horror something really scary should happen within the first 10-15 minutes, this is the initial 'bite'. Then the theory states we move on to the body of the film where all our character and plot development happens and the majority of the action occurs this is the 'body' of the shark. Then we have the 'tail' where the film raps up and ties any loose ends together and the film ends.

Popular films that use the shark bite theory:

• The Hangover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg_pbMh1daE
• The Descent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I1q4KhKNU
• Pineapple Express http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg2EJLJids