Three Act Structure

Think about Star Wars. If you had to break it up into three parts, What would be the beginning, middle,

and end?

Stories are written using the Three Act Structure which is a model used in writing, that divides a fictional narrative into three parts, often called the Setup, the Confrontation and the Resolution. Three Act structure is by no means the law, but it’s what studios are most willing to buy.

Story All the underlying events of the screenplay awaiting presentation by the screenwriter, including events prior to fade in, after fade out and taking place off screen Plot The choice of events that are dramatized on-screen and the order In which they are presented

Screenplay a written basis for a film. A blueprint, roadmap or prospectus for a film

Exposition information the audience needs to know

Main Characters

• protagonist - a character that drives the action of the story. He must want something.

• antagonist - the character that presents the main opposition to the protagonist as that character pursues his objective

Objective• A goal that motivates a character’s choices

and actions. An objective is sometimes referred to as a want.

• The audience must believe that theres at least one outside possibility that the character will achieve his objective. At the same time, the objective shouldn’t be so easy to attain that pursuing it presents no serious challenge to the character.

DRAMA• An objective that involves difficulty creates

drama.

ACT 1

In the opening act (usually about 30 minutes), the writer sets up the story and establishes the relationships between the characters.

Introduce your main character as early as possible. Start your story as late as possible (especially with short films)

ACT 1

In the opening act is the inciting incident. The moment or plot point in a script that kicks the story into motion. It occurs after the set up or exposition and everything that follows the inciting incident should be a result of the inciting incident,

ACT 1

The call to action: This is where the protagonist is asked to go on a journey.

Refusal of the call: The protagonist says no thanks.

The turning point: When the protagonist changes their mind and accepts the call to action

ACT 2

In the second act (usually about 60 minutes), when the main character must face a series of crises or overcome obstacles that keep him/her from achieving his/her goal. This is where the journey begins

ACT 2

In the middle to end of act two there is a major setback a reversal or a change in direction. The story suddenly takes a turn for the worse and we think all is lost. the stakes are deepened

ACT 3

In the third act (usually about 30 minutes), the conflict is overwhelming, the pace has accelerated, and everything works against your hero, until he reaches…

...the climax, which can occur anywhere from the 90% point to the last couple minutes of the movie. The exact placement will be determined by the amount of time you need for…

ACT 3

The Aftermath!

No movie ends precisely with the resolution of the hero's objective. You have to reveal the new life your hero is living, now that he's completed his journey.