M4S1 Flashcards
is an old principle widely adhered to in storytelling today. it can be found in plays, poetry, Novels, Comic Books, short stories, video games and the movies. its older than Greek dramaturgy.
The Three-Act Structure
The Three-Act Structure (3)
Act 1: Set Up
Act 2: Confrontation
Act 3: Resolution
The Three-Act Structure:
is where all major characters of the story are introduced, plus the world they live in and the conflict that will move the story forward. the writer has the freedom to create any setting and reality that he so wishes. its in the first pages of the scripts that he defines the reasoning and logic of the story. this early in the script, anything is possible.
Act 1: Setup
The Three-Act Structure:
must also present a strong hook - an exciting scene early in the script that grabs the audience’s interest and hooks them.
Act 1: Setup
The Three-Act Structure:
It ends with the first plot point of the movie
Act 1: Setup
The Three-Act Structure:
this is by far the longest, encompassing half of the movie. for some screen writes this Act is the hardest to squeeze out. this happens because after the initial boost of a new story, the writer is left without plot elements to introduce.
Act 2: Confrontation
The Three-Act Structure:
The story, its characters and conflict are all established. at this point, the writer has created a solid frame for his narrative. yet he’s still roughly sixty pages away from the ending.
Act 2: Confrontation
With so many blank pages remaining , the writer faces the challenge of keeping the story moving forward and not boring the audience. what is the solution for this?
Subplot
is a minor story layered under the main narrative. it often adds a three-dimensionality aspect to the characters by allowing them to engage in a behavior that is not necessarily connected to the main plot, but still relevant in the overall narrative and oftern linked to a central theme.
Subplot
The Three-Act Structure:
the stake escalate. if the hero is “on the fence” or confused about what he should do, them something must happen by the midpoint of the script to make his goal clear.
Act 2: Confrontation
The Three-Act Structure:
also affects the main character by changing the direction he’s headed. the difference is that the stakes are much higher. this is often a moment of crisis, in which all hope seems lost.
Act 2: Confrontation
The Three-Act Structure:
presents the final confrontation of the movie, followed by the denouement. this act is usually the shortest in length because quickly after the second turning point of the script, the main character is face to face with the villain or just about. showdown ensues and then conclusion.
Act 3: Resolution
The Three-Act Structure:
is also when the writer ties up any loose ends and offers a resolution to the subplots. the resolution can also give extra information for a more elaborate character arc.
Act 3: Resolution
