The Influence of Scene Composition on Pacing: A Quantitative Analysis of Farewell and One Small Step

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of scene composition on narrative pacing through a quantitative analysis of two animated short films, Farewell and One Small Step. The analysis was grounded in theories of narrative time, including Bergson’s notion of durée, Husserl’s triple temporal structure, and Deleuze’s distinction between movement-image and time-image. Editing variables such as shot length, cut frequency, and rhythm were found to shape viewers’ emotional engagement, and Cinemetrics analysis identified distinct pacing patterns with measurable psychological effects. The findings were further situated within broader temporal theories from physics (Einstein, Minkowski) and phenomenology (Augustine, Kant). We present a new methodological framework that bridges perceptual time and narrative structure in audiovisual storytelling, advancing the quantitative study of audiovisual time. This framework establishes a model for analyzing audiovisual time not only in traditional films but also in emerging media environments, providing a foundation for future research at the intersection of narrative theory, cinematic practice, and media technology.