Narrative structure in short films: The Richard Raskin model

This study proposes an analytical method for examining the narrative structure of short films, based on Richard Raskin's seven-parameter model of short film narration. The primary aim is to reveal the functionality and limitations of the model through an analysis of short films produced in various genres and forms. Raskin's model systematically renders the structural components of short films visible by balancing core narrative principles such as character focus-character interaction, causality-choice, consistency-surprise, sound-image, character-object, simplicity-depth, and economy–wholeness. In this respect, the model offers an original paradigm for identifying the limitations of traditional narrative theories—originally developed for feature-length films—when applied to short film analysis, while also providing a theoretical framework for discussing the shared qualities of a "good" short film. The research examines eight fictional short films that have won the "Best Short Film" award at two internationally prestigious festivals—Oscar and Cannes—representing diverse geographies, periods, genres, and durations, using a qualitative content analysis method. The findings indicate that films with a classical dramatic structure display a high level of conformity to Raskin's model, whereas in experimental and poetic narratives, some parameters are represented in an implicit or flexible manner. In particular, Oscar-winning short films, with their clear dramatic lines and distinct turning points, tend to align more closely with the model; in contrast, Cannes-awarded shorts, characterized by formal experimentation, fragmented structures, and multiple layers of meaning, require reinterpretation of the model. Film length also emerges as a decisive variable in the model's applicability. While films of approximately 6–15 minutes tend to reflect all parameters in a balanced way, those that are very short or exceed 20 minutes exhibit a weakening of certain elements. This finding suggests that structural integrity in short film narratives is directly related not only to content but also to duration. In conclusion, Raskin's model provides a comprehensive and systematic framework for short film analysis, making narrative structure visible at both formal and functional levels. However, the model should be applied flexibly in the case of experimental and representational short films, with parameters reinterpreted or extended to accommodate genre diversity when necessary. In this respect, the study offers both an analytical and theoretical contribution to the dramaturgy of short films.