Task 3: Structuring of Time
Discuss the structuring of time for Run Lola Run. Consider aspects such as linear/ non linear, temporal order and temporal frequency. Refer to your notes for appropriate language to use in your response. ( Yes, I know this is hard but we did it in class 
on March 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
In run Lola run twykerTykwer manipulates the aspect of time in many different ways. This freedom to play with time makes run Lola run a creative and original film, at the beginning of the credits the audience learn that time will play an important role and theme in run Lola run, this is suggested by the huge daunting antique clock counting down with its pendulum to a deadline. Clocks are also obstacles the animated Lola faces when running during this same opening sequence. From hear herenumerous clocks are spotted throughout the run Lola run settings, like Lola’s father’s office, Lola’s bedroom and the spiral game clock behind Manni in the phone booth. These clocks are there to constantly remind the audience and the two protagonists that time is quickly devouring them and Lola must come up with the cash quick. great
Time is not just a theme though in run Lola run but a element that can be played with to: show us hidden parts of the characters minds, add emphasis and effect to a passionate moment and to allow the repetition of a failed challenge.fantastic These techniques all have fancy names like temporal order, frequency and duration. woopsTemporal order isis the use of time within the film and can include the use of flash backs and forwards, the audience view examples of these at the start of run Lola run where we view a memory form both protagonists which tells us in theretheir perspective how the deal went wrong. This as well as voice over’s from Manni and Lola develop and help the viewer have a relationship with these two charactersprotagonists. Then they are the eight flashbacks, which quickly tell the story of the altered destiny (because of Lola’s interference,) of passers by and strangers. These minor characters don’t contribute to the narrative but contribute to the theme of causality. Temporal duration plays a minor role in run Lola run, but this small role does have a large impact. At the end of game one a victorious Manni and Lola run from the crime scene as they exit the supermarket doors the slow motion begins and gentle soft non- diegtic music plays, the audience are prepared to see Manni and Lola run off into the sunset having concurred their dilemma. Suddenly police enclose them and a gunshot stops the celebration. This whole scene is heightened and made much more dramatic with the use of slow motion which extends temporal duration, without this technique the scene would be over too quickly and not have its shocking up and down moment. Temporal frequency is a term used to describe the number of times an event is shown. The audience view the changed lives of the strangers that Lola meets on her journey multiple times, but each on occasion their lives are altered, depending on how they interacted with Lola we get to see their transformed story by a flashing photo montage. Lola’s story itself is also a victim of temporal frequency.
The linearno narrative of run Lola run does not conform to the typical Hollywood way of structuring a story it is in fact non-linearyes, travelling back and forth. The normal classic routine is to start with equilibrium which is followed by a trigger, then disequilibrium or climax, after that climax resolution which then brings the audience to new equilibrium. But twykeryou’ve got to get this spelling right throws these rules away and begins run Lola run with a short lived equilibrium which is more of a trigger, this trigger is that Lola has to help Manni by him finding him 100,000 in 20 minutes. The climax of run Lola run is when she is unable to obtain the money from her father. The climax resolution varies with each game, for game one Lola has no other choice but to rob the supermarket with Manni, in game two she decides to steal from her fathers bank spurred on by anger and in the final game she gambles the little money she has, only to find out that Manni has already got the money from the thieving homeless person. Each time the audience are then brought to a short equilibrium that leaves us with questions and other narrative possibilities. But it is this throwing away of the rule book and running back and forth,disregard for usual film time conventions which makes run Lola run so exciting and enthralling for the audience.Wow Nick again, an awesome response. Have a virtual chocolate truffle!
on March 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
The time structure used in RLR is non-linerlinear, this means it does not flow in a straight line; it repeats parts of the plot and replays scenesmoving backwards and forwards in time. After 20 minutes an actor will die and get to try again, repeating the same 20 minutes again, but with slight changes. The temporal order of the movie shows the flashbacks with do don’t happen in real life but in to movie we are shown these to give greater understanding, the movie physically goes back in time to show us events like the Mercedes job than Manni does, we go back in time to see that. The temporal frequency of the movie shows the same 20 minutes 3 times over the same setting and exactly the same time but redone to change the final outcome. The flash forwards we are given sequences of famesframes, made to look like photographs, followed by a camera shutter sound, into the future. We can then understand the effect Lola has on these people’s lives. And then the film resumes back to where it was.good Tom
on March 6th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Time is greatly manipulated which can often create a sense of anxiety. The basis of the film is about time, and how Lola is in a race against time in order to find money for her boyfriend Manni. The use of the images of clocks form the audience’s knowledge that time is running out for Lolavery good. She has 20 minutes which is correct in temporal duration?order. Time is structured to include flashbacks, allowing the audience to revealunderstand Lola and Manni’s dilemma. The audience is then given vital background information, whilst still remaining correct on time,in real time without needing to replay it. Run Lola Run has a Non-Linear time sequence,RLR uses time in a non-linear fashion as each time she returns back to the end of the opening sequence to start again. The flash-forwards used in the film connect the theme to the audience (Causality) to allow them to see how Lola’s actions affect the minor characters she bumps into. As Lola dies in the first run the temporal duration expands through slow motion, creating a change of narrative possibility and expression of emotion. The event of Lola running is repeated 3 times, each time different to the first, this is a use of temporal frequency in order to depict to the audience Lola learning to make the most of opportunities in life.Good job Karin on a tough subject
on March 6th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Temporal duration is also expanded though the use of slow motion in run Lola run: when there is a tracking shot following Lola running and then the camera gradually gets closer to her and dissolves into a close up of Lola’s face, when Manni throws the red bag into the air (end of game 1), when Lola drops the green bag when she see’s Manni get ran over (end of game 2), and as Lola is running towards the cassino to finally successfully get the 100,000 marks and thinking to herself where to go next (end of game 3).
on March 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
In the film R.L.R time is IT! It is used as a theme (story element) and as a production element.no- it is used as a theme and a story element- not production element As a production element the structure of the film is important. One of the elements is non-linernon-linear time structure, which means that after the first game Lola plays, it all goes back to the end of the phone conversation, (which is at the start of every game) and plays the game again but with slightly differnet actions/decisions.consequences The film continues forward but in a way that they have to back and then forward to reach their ‘goal’. good Andrea
Temporal time is another productionstory element and in a way it ia also a story element. Temproal time means – ‘film time or the use of time within a film’. In R.L.R each game is played for 20mins. Using temporal time the auidence actually see the whole 20mins/game.in real time
Time sets this whole movie up and revolves around it. It is important to the auidence, as they need this element to undrestand the film.
Don’t confuse your production and story elements- you needed to talk about time in the thematic way- as in Lolas’ race against time, clock repetition etc
i am so sorry it is late. i was going to do it after school, but i just forgot. it will not happen again.okydoky
on March 8th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Run Lola Run is a non-linear production as the temporal order involves flashbacks and flash forwards and the temporal frequency of Lola’s race against time is repeated three times. The complex structuring of time in this film reflects one of its predominant themes- time.Fantastic
In reference to temporal duration both compression and expansion are used. For example, in the opening sequence fast forward is used to compress time as the people move. The use of jump cuts and montage throughout the film are also techniques used in the compression of time. In relation to the expansion of time, slow motion is used at the end of the first sequence or ‘game’ when Lola gets shot. This is a significant moment in the film that contrasts the audience’s expectation. The use of slow motion allows the audience to gather emotion on the event. very good
Flashbacks are important in the beginning of Run Lola Run to inform the audience about Manni and his situation, which is important in the formation of narrative possibilitiesright. Manni’s flashbacks of what happened that morning and how he left the money behind, as well as the flash backs of what happened the last time Manni let down Ronni inform the ‘how and when’ of the situation and place emphasis on the importance of finding the money to ensure Manni’s safety. The use of flashbacks eliminate the need to first show what happens in film time and then have Manni explain it all over again to Lola which is a compression device.great The use of flashbacks also allows the audience to identify who the homeless man is that took the money, adding humour/irony to the several times that Lola obliviously passes him on her mission. good point
The use of flashbacks and flash forwards in the one film are unusual yet vital in the case of RLR. A series of quick frames are used to indicate the futures of three minor characters in the film. This contributes significantly to the major theme of causality in the film as each sequence shows a different future.wonderful
In terms of temporal frequency, the basic framesequence? storyline? of RLR is repeated three times, and reflects the conventions of a computer game. Each sequence goes for about 20 minutes (in both film and real timeyay!), building audience expectations each time. The start of Lola’s run (beginning when the phone slams down) in each sequence is virtually the same with only slight alterations (such as how she encounters the mean kid and the dog). At the end of the first two sequences, one of them dies, but like a computer game, Lola is able to hit the replay button and start again, gaining insight from previous experience.wonderful Lucy- I’m wiping tears of joy!
on March 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
The time structure of the film Run Lola Run is constructed in a non-linear fashion that consists of current time, flashbacks, flash forwards and repeats of current time. The timeline has parts where it stops and returns to a prior point in the timelinestoryline?. This temporal frequency is demonstrated when Lola’s journey is repeated three timesgood. The timelinestoryline slightly varies with each repetition. Each of these repeats last for twenty minutes and relate to the retries used in many video game. For example, each time the lead character Lola, or the support character Manni are killed, the timeline starts again in the same way that many video game levels repeat when the lead or support character dies. right
Time is slowed down for the viewer in parts of the film such as parts of running sequences to show audiences Lola’s facial expressions of determination and when Lola is shot by the police officer.good This allows viewers to empathise with the characters and get a real sense of how they are feeling. The audience gets a chance to see the emotions portrayed by the characters that they would not be able to see in real time speed.very good
There are several forward flashes throughout the film. These are short snippets of the futures of smaller, almost insignificant characters. Although these forward flashes have a diminutive effect on the storyfantastic, they reinforce the idea that Lola’s varied actions in each of the ‘games’ has a large effect on people that she has interacted with.wonderful
As well as forward flashes, there are a few flashbacks showing parts of the characters recent past to help the audience to better understand the storyline. These flashes back in the timeline are overlayed with the voices of current times, sort of like a commentary to explain the visuals.right, what do they do for the audience?….well done Sam your responses are improving…freddo for you
on March 13th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
The film Run Lola Run is all based around time as it is a major focus throughout Lola’s search to get Manni his money. Time is used in a non linear fashion.
Once 20minutes has gone by and Manni hasn’t given his boss the money, an actorCharacter- NOT actor will die. Therefore creating a more game like effect as the actorscharacter will then start the mission again but will have different outcomes. Time was shown through numerous clocks and watches throughout the film which shows the audience that the designated 20minutes is real time.
Flashbacks were used at the beginning of the film to show how Manni lost his money therefore setting up the storyline which was revealed in black and white. This shows the audience that it is not happening at the present but did happen in the past.very good
Flash-forwards were used at times when Lola bumped into random people. This was shown through a series of still shots very fast making a montage to show their future lives and how Lola could have an impact on them. great
The temporal frequency of the film has 20 minutes which involves 3 different scenarios that have the same setting and storyline but each scenario is altered to change the final result.that’s right Nathan
on March 13th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Run Lola Run is in non-linear time, as throughout the movie, sequences are repeated. The audience sees the same images and clips three times, each slightly different from the one before. These contain flashbacks and flash forwards.
Flashbacks include the red-filter scenes, and recalling the events that built up to that one. Flashbacks allow the audience to see the suspense and emotions behind the characters involved. They are drawn to feel for the character, and to relate to them.good
Flash forwards include the photo flashes of the minor characters Lola runs into on her journey, how she affects them and how their lives change each time she runs into them. This indicates the motifno! theme, motif is more of a symbol like a clock of Causality. These, in turn, cause one of the main characters to die at the end of the first and second game. Each time a major character dies, Lola hits the imaginary ‘Respawn’ button, and the come back to life, starting the game again, form where Lola throws the red phone in the air.
The temporal frequency is repeated three times throughout the movie. This allows the audience to see things they didn’t before, and also to see what Lola has learned from the last sequence.good job Kat
on March 16th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Run Lola Run is a movie that is based all around time. Lola has been given 20 minuets to help out her boyfriend by getting him 100,000 marks. The story line of Run Lola Run follows a non linear time line because she has to start over and over again from the same beginning. It also has flash-forwards and flashbacks which give a little bit more information on some of the characters that Lola bumps into in her games as well as giving the audience more information about what happened to Manni and why he needs her help. The 20 minuets that Lola has to get the money or play the game in the movie is in temporal duration.this last bit doesn’t make sense- temporal duration is the amount of time things take up in film time, temporal = film. Perhaps it should read ‘The 20 minuets that Lola has to get the money or play the game in the movie is in actual real time’
on March 24th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Run Lola Run is movie that is a non linear sequence, this movie is all about racing against time and how you could possibly change the way you manage your time. After every 20minutes Lola gets a chance to change the way every thing is and the way everything works within the next 20minutes.this is called temporal order Non linear sequence is used so much in this movie and non linear sequence means that this movie does not flow in a straight line, as we can see that there are some repeated shotstemporal frequency and there are also different shots about each and every scenario of Manni and Lola and how they could possibly overcome their issues. good Tawanda, if this was a longer response, you would need to talk about temporal (film) order, duration of events ( which you touched on briefly) and frequency… these are in your notes