Eleanor Finch
The three-act structure is a widely used narrative model in screenwriting, dividing stories into a beginning, middle, and end. Each act has a distinct purpose and set of guidelines to develop and build the story, with the first act typically introducing the characters and their world, the second act escalating the conflict and introducing a helper figure, and the third act resolving the story. This structure is a guide rather than a rigid formula, providing a foundation for screenwriters to craft their narratives and engage their audiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of acts | 3 |
| First act | Introduce the world and main characters, set the tone, and establish the protagonist's ordinary life. |
| First act length | Typically ends around 20-30 pages in, or around the 25% mark. |
| Second act | Introduce subplots and new characters, raise the stakes, and escalate the conflict. |
| Third act | Resolve storylines, tie up loose ends, and include a climax and denouement. |
| Third act length | Typically covers pages 81-110 of a 110-page screenplay. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The first act introduces the world, characters, and inciting incident
The first act of a screenplay is crucial as it introduces the audience to the world and characters of the story. This act typically starts with exposition, setting the tone and establishing the protagonist's ordinary world before their journey begins. It should also introduce the story's theme, which is often a lesson that the protagonist must learn. This act should take up about 25% of the screenplay and usually ends around 20-30 pages in, marking the first major plot point.
The first act also includes the inciting incident, a moment that kickstarts the story and pulls the protagonist out of their normal world and into the main action. This moment can be big or small, but it should be a turning point that takes the character from their everyday existence into something new. In the film 'Man on Fire', for example, the inciting incident is when Creasy meets Pinta, the girl he will be a bodyguard for. This moment propels the movie forward in two ways: it begins the key relationship between Creasy and Pinta, and it starts the core narrative arc of Creasy's duties as a bodyguard.
The inciting incident is typically followed by a debate, where the protagonist has a choice to make. This choice should lead them to officially set out to achieve a goal, marking the transition from the first to the second act. This is the point of no return for the character, and it should be a moment that the audience will not want them to turn back from. A good inciting incident will ensure that the audience is invested in the protagonist's journey and wants to see how their story unfolds.
The first act, therefore, serves as the foundation for the rest of the screenplay. It sets the stage, introduces the key players, and poses the dramatic question that will keep the audience engaged and wanting more. It is important to carefully craft this act to ensure that the story starts on a compelling note, with interesting characters and a world that the audience will want to explore further.
Retailer-Supplier Contracts: Legally Binding Essentials
You may want to see also
The second act raises the stakes and ends with a crisis
The second act of a screenplay is where the action rises and the stakes are raised. This is where the protagonist's journey really begins, and they encounter obstacles and conflicts that threaten their overall goal. The audience wants to keep watching, so this is the time to introduce a subplot, a potential love interest, or other secondary storylines. This is also where a helper figure or B Story character can be introduced. They will play a significant role later in the story, so it's important to introduce them early on so they don't feel like an afterthought.
The midpoint of the second act is a crucial point in the story. This is where the stakes are at their highest, and the audience finds out what the characters are truly made of. The characters typically experience a false loss, and it seems like all hope is lost. This is the point of no return, and the protagonist must dig deep and find a new way to overcome their challenges. They may discover new information or gain a new perspective that reinvigorates them to face the conflict head-on.
The second act is all about escalating the conflict and building towards a crisis. The protagonist's world is turned upside down, and they are forced to make difficult choices. This act should keep the audience engaged and invested in the story, wanting to see how the protagonist will overcome the obstacles in their path. The second act is the longest part of the story, typically covering about 50% of the screenplay, so it's important to have enough rising action and character development to sustain the audience's interest.
The end of the second act is a crucial turning point in the story. The protagonist has been through the wringer, and they are at their lowest point. But this is also when they find the strength to fight for their cause. They come up with a new plan of action, and the story builds towards the climax in the third act. The second act ends with a sense of anticipation, leaving the audience wondering how the protagonist will ultimately succeed or fail in their quest.
Does Layaway Count as a Sale?
You may want to see also
The third act resolves the story, tying up loose ends
The third act of a screenplay is the resolution, where the story is wrapped up and the main character's arc is complete. It typically covers the final 25% of the story and begins with the hero pushing forward to save the day. This is when the main plot and subplots intertwine, and the bad guys are confronted. The climax should be emotionally satisfying and pay off the thematic question hinted at in the setup.
The third act takes the characters to the brink. They are up against the final boss, and everything is at stake. The dramatic question posed in the first act must be answered in the third act. This resolution should bring a sense of catharsis, whether it is a happy or sad ending. It should provide a sense of closure for the audience, leaving them with a feeling of relief or despair.
In the third act, the hero confronts the final antagonist, and the lessons they have learned throughout the story come into play. The hero's journey comes full circle, and they are transformed by their experiences. The audience sees the character's growth and development, and the story's conflicts are resolved.
The third act also serves to tie up loose ends and provide closure to the various storylines and subplots introduced in the second act. It is important to resolve these threads in a satisfying manner, ensuring that the audience feels a sense of completion. This can be achieved through a well-crafted denouement, where the events of the climax wind back down into normal life.
While the three-act structure is a common framework for screenplays, it is important to remember that it is just a guide, and not every story needs to follow this pattern. The key is to ensure that the story is engaging and that the characters' arcs are complete, regardless of the specific structure used.
Northerners' Fury Over 1850s Slave Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The three-act structure is a narrative model, not a formula
The three-act structure is a narrative model that divides stories into three parts: a beginning, middle, and end. It is a flexible framework that provides a basic guideline for storytelling, rather than a rigid formula. This structure has been used since the beginning of recorded history, and its concept as a defined template was popularised by Syd Field in his 1979 book, "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting".
The three acts are commonly referred to as the setup, confrontation, and resolution. In the first act, or setup, the world, characters, and the character's ordinary life before their journey are introduced. This is also where the theme of the screenplay is often presented. The inciting incident, which occurs midway through the first act, upends the main character's life and sets them on their path towards the story's main conflict.
The second act, or confrontation, is where the stakes are raised, and the protagonist faces obstacles and challenges that threaten their goal. This act typically makes up about 50% of the story and includes subplots and secondary characters that support the main narrative arc. It is important to include rising action and a complete character arc for the protagonist in this act to keep the audience engaged.
The third act, or resolution, brings the story to a close by answering the dramatic question posed in the first act. It resolves the main plot and any remaining subplots, either through the protagonist's success or failure. This act aims to provide a satisfying conclusion that completes the character's arc and ties up loose ends.
While the three-act structure provides a useful framework for storytelling, it is not a mandatory formula. Some stories may benefit from a different structure, such as the five-act structure favoured by Shakespeare. Ultimately, the choice of narrative structure depends on the specific story being told and the creative vision of the screenwriter.
Exploring Thomas Jefferson's Stance on the Constitution
You may want to see also
Each act has a distinct theme and set of expectations
The three-act structure is a narrative model commonly used in screenplays, providing a guideline for developing, building, and resolving a story. Each act has a distinct theme and set of expectations, which work together to drive the overall action and complete the character arc.
The first act, typically known as the setup, introduces the world, characters, and the character's ordinary life before the inciting incident that kicks off the main action. This is also where the theme is often introduced, which may be a lesson that the protagonist must learn through their journey. The first act poses a dramatic question that keeps the audience engaged and wanting to know the outcome. It usually covers the first 20-30 pages or minutes of a screenplay.
Act Two, or the confrontation, is where the story escalates. It introduces subplots and new characters, raises the stakes, and leads the protagonist to a point of no return in their pursuit of a goal. This act makes up about 50% of the storytelling, as it is where the majority of the action and conflict take place. The midpoint of the act sees the characters experience a false loss, and by the end of the act, all seems lost.
In the final act, or resolution, the protagonist finds a new viewpoint or plan to overcome their challenges. This act ties up all the storylines and loose ends, providing a satisfying conclusion. It is where the main plot and subplots intertwine, and the climax is reached. The climax should be emotionally satisfying and pay off the thematic question posed in the setup. The denouement then winds down the action, bringing the story to a close.
The Constitution: Our Liberties and Freedoms
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The three-act structure is a narrative model that divides stories into three parts: a beginning, middle, and end.
Act One sets up the world, characters, the character's goal, and the conflicts or obstacles that are preventing them from achieving their goal. Act Two raises the stakes for the character to achieve the goal, escalating the conflict. Act Three resolves the story with either the achievement of that goal or a failure.
The first act typically ends around 20-30 pages or 25% into the screenplay. The second act makes up 50% of the screenplay and introduces subplots and new characters. The third act is the remaining 25% and includes the climax and resolution.
An inciting incident is a moment that kickstarts the story, upending the main character's everyday existence and transitioning them from "normal" to "something new".
