The Classic 3 Act Story Structure
Whenever I begin my script analysis process as a director, I use the three-act story structure model because it’s the simplest and most common film narrative story structure there is.
This is because no matter what your story is about, or your visual style in shooting the film, or how it will eventually be edited together, every good story (that has ever been told) has a beginning, a middle and an end!
Here’s the simple 3-Act Story Structure Breakdown I use to answer my first questions about any script I am directing.
By answering these 15 basic questions first, I get a quick overview of what the story is about; who the main character is; who/or what the antagonist is; what problem has to be solved; what the “hero’s journey” is; how the problem is solved at the end of the story; and what eventually happens to all the characters.
Act One (Set Up)
Act One is where the main characters are introduced. We see the world they live in as well as their relationships with other characters. A problem is then introduced which the Protagonist (main character/hero) has to deal with. This problem, and how the main character deals with it, drives the story forward.
Example:
New boy in town meets girl – but her father doesn’t like him.
1. What is the situation? (Story/plot)
2. What is the theme? (What the story is really about)
3. Who is the protagonist? (Main character/hero)
4. Who is the main antagonist? (Main opposition/bad guy)
5. What is the Inciting Incident? (Life changing event)
Act Two (Confrontation)
Act Two is where the protagonist goes through major changes in his/her life as they try to resolve the problem created in Act One (Inciting Incident) only to find they are getting into ever worsening situations.
Example:
Boy loses girl & fights against impossible odds to get her back.
1. What is the main problem the protagonist has to solve? (Physical, psychological)
2. What obstacles stand in the protagonist’s way? (What character’s, events or inner weaknesses stops the protagonist from achieving their goal)
3. How does the protagonist overcome each obstacle? (Actions)
4. What is the B-Story? (Usually the love story)
5. What is the “All is Lost” moment? (The point where the protagonist almost dies physically or emotionally)
Act Three (Resolution)
Act Three is when the main character tries one last time to solve the problem presented in Act One and where the main character comes to understand the meaning of the underlying theme (message) of the film. It’s also where all the other story elements, subplots and character relationships get resolved.
Example:
Boy gets the girl and they live happily ever after…or not!
1. How does the protagonist solve the main problem? (Actions)
2. How does the story end? (Closed ending or open ending)
3. What happens to the protagonist?
4. What happens to the antagonist?
5. What happens to the other characters?
