The three-act structure is a popular screenwriting technique that revolves around constantly creating set-ups, conflicts and resolutions. With this structure, a novel/film is divided into three acts: a beginning, a middle and an end.
Act 1: Beginning
We create a problem for a character and/or the audience.Who's the main character? What's his problem? How does it become his mission in the story
- First ¼ of story
- Who are the major players?
- What is (are) the major problem(s)
- What is the narrative enigma— Will the boy get the girl? Will planet earth be destroyed?
- Major themes introduced
- A mood is established
- Conventions are established such as voice over, moving camera
Act 2: Middle part of the story
- At least ½ the entire story
- Struggle to achieve the solution to the problem
- Further complications to finding the solution
- The cycle of struggles and complications are called reversals
Act 3: The End
- No more than ¼ of the story, usually less
- The conflict or problem is resolved
- Final crisis (or "rising action") plays out to climax; then to resolution
- Narrative closure
- Narrative aperture
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