 |
| 3 act structure, showing tension |
 |
| Basic 3 Act Structure |
Act 1
Act 1 - This is the first quarter of a film also known as a period of equilibrium. So for a 2 hour film, the first act would tend to last around 30 minutes.
What Happens in Act 1 (setup)
This is the part of the story that introduces the main characters, their relationships, and what place and time period they are set in.
Act 1 also introduces the main characters, the dramatic premise, and the dramatic situation.
Main character - the person in the story who has an objective to achieve and who's action drive the story.
Dramatic Premise - What the story is about
Dramatic situation - the circumstances surrounding the action
Inciting Incident - An event that changes the plot. It often occurs halfway through a film.
The "Plot Point" - The plot point is a point that separates one act from another. It is an event that thrusts the plot in a new direction, loading into a new act of the screen play. Experts have suggested that the plot point separating act 1 to act 2 is when the hero takes on the problem.
Act 2
Act 2 covers half of the film (the middle two quarters of film). So if the film was 2 hours long, Act 2 would last for 1 hour, after act 1.
What happens in Act 2 (confrontation)?
Obstacles - Throughout act 2, the hero encounters multiple obstacles that prevent him from achieving his goal.
First Culmination - A point in the film, where the hero is close to achieving his goal, but then everything goes wrong, leading to the midpoint of the film.
Midpoint - The lowest point for the hero in the story, and at this point, he is the furthest he will ever be from achieving his goal.
The "Plot Point" - The plot point is a point that separates one act from another. It is an event that thrusts the plot in a new direction, loading into a new act of the screen play. Experts have suggested that the plot point separating act 1 to act 2 is when the hero takes on the problem.
Act 3
Act 3 covers the final quarter of the film. So in a 2 hour film, act 3 would be the last 30 minutes of the film.
What happens in act 3 (resolution)?
Climax - The point at which the plot reaches its maximum tension, and the opposite forces (hero and villain) have either a physical or emotional action.
Denouement - The brief calm part of the film, at the end where equilibrium is restored.
Excellent write up and good video to have embedded. Well done
ReplyDelete