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Screenplay

Screenplay. Understanding structure. What is structure?. In a general sense, what does structure mean to you?. Structure in story. Screenplays succeed in part because of a structure, just like the structure within everyday things The root “struct”- to build, or put something together

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Screenplay

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  1. Screenplay • Understanding structure

  2. What is structure? In a general sense, what does structure mean to you?

  3. Structure in story • Screenplays succeed in part because of a structure, just like the structure within everyday things • The root “struct”- • to build, or put something together • the relationship between the parts and the whole

  4. Structure • ...the parts and the whole... • Let’s use the game of chess as an example: • Pieces: paws, knights, kings, queens, etc. • Players: You can’t play without players • Board: You can’t play without one • Rules: Need to follow the rules of the game

  5. Structure • Those 4 parts (pieces, players, board, rules) are integrated in the whole, a game of chess. This relationship between the parts and the whole determine the game. • The same relationship holds true in a story, and a screenplay is a story told with pictures!

  6. Story Structure • The story is the whole! What are the parts? • Actions • Characters • Dialogue • Scenes • Acts • Conflicts • Incidents • Episodes • Events • Music • The structure is the glue that holds everything in place!

  7. Structure • The most common and successful structure, is the 3-Act Structure • Why? • Because all stories have a beginning, middle, and end! • And we can use math to figure out how it breaks down...

  8. 3-Act structure • Most scripts are 90-120 pages in length... • ...Divide by 3... • ...Each act is roughly 30-40 pages long

  9. 3-Act Structure • Act 1: The Set-Up • Act 2: Confrontation • Act 3: Resolution

  10. Act I: The Set-Up • Typically 30 pages in length • This is where you: • Set up the story • Establish the characters • Launch the dramatic premise (what the story is about) • Illustrate the situation (the circumstances around the action) • Create the relationship between the main character and others

  11. Act I: The Set-Up • The First 10 pages of the screenplay are the most important • It usually takes 10 minutes of watching a movie to determine whether or not you like it or not.

  12. The Segue • In order to transition from one act to another, you need to change the direction of the story. • We call this device a “plot point” • A plot point is defined by any incident, episode or event that hooks into the action a spins it around in another direction • Always a function of the main character

  13. Plot Points • Do not need to be big or dynamic scenes • Purpose is to keep story progressing • Acts as the “true” start of the story • Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring • When Frodo and Sam leave the shire • The Matrix • When Neo takes the red pill

  14. 3-Act Structure • Act 1: The Set-Up • Plot point one • Act 2: Confrontation • Plot point two • Act 3: Resolution

  15. Act II: The Confrontation • Typically 30-60 pages in length • Revolves around the character encountering obstacle after obstacle that keeps them from achieving their need. • Your main character needs to survive Act II • Things need to happen!

  16. Act II: Confrontation • Lord of the Rings: The journey, and obstacles, and weather, creatures, and danger made up the second act. • The Matrix: Rebirth, training, the oracle, agents, Morpheus gets kidnapped...and just as he gets rescued... • Bam! Plot point two • Neo discovers he is the one.

  17. Act II: Confrontation • “All drama is conflict. Without conflict you have no action; without action you have no character; without character you have no story; without story you have no screenplay.” • -Syd Field

  18. Act III: Resolution • The last 30 pages of the story • Resolution does not mean ending. • The ending is just the last scene • Resolution means solution

  19. Act III: Resolution • The Matrix: • Resolution: Neo saves morpheus, discovers he is the one, wakes from death, destroys the agent, and rescues his crew from the sentinel attack. • Ending: Neo places a phone call to an “unknown” (machines) threatening to show people the true reality, then flies into the sky

  20. How to start • To begin a screenplay you need a subject, not just an idea • A subject is an action and a character • An action is what the story is about • A character is who the story is about

  21. Subject and Character • Take out a piece of paper... • List 5 of your favorite movies (or movies you know very well) • Who is the main character? • What are the actions they go through? • For one (your absolute most favorite movie of all time) identify the the three acts, and two plot points

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