The 3 act structure

The three Act structure

In my first narrative structure lesson we were looking at the three act structure.

The three act structure is the framework that all narratives and screenplays adhere to. Syd Field's book The screenwriter’s workbook proposes this theory.

The first act is basically the setup of location, time period, events and, most importantly the characters. The second act is known as confrontation, this is where a large portion of the action happens in the story. The third and final act is resolution; here is where the story reaches a solution and its end.

This is a detailed breakdown of the three act structure.

Act 1

Set up - what happens?

Exposition - introduces characters, interrelationships, places and time period.

Introduces main character, the dramatic premise and the dramatic situation

Main character - person who has a need or objectives to fulfil and whose actions drive the story

Dramatic premise - what the story is about

Dramatic situation - circumstances surrounding the action

Dramatic incident - an event that sets the plot of the film in motion - occurs approx. halfway through the first act

Act 2: Confrontation

Obstacles - preventing the character achieving what they need to achieve

First culmination - a point just before the halfway point in the film where the character is close to achieving their objective then it all falls apart, leading to the mid-point

Midpoint - a point where the character reaches their lowest point and seems farthest away from fulfilling their dramatic need or objective

Plot point 2 - the glimmer of hope that will seem to suggest the possibility that things will work out

Act 3 - resolution

Climax - second culmination is the point at which the two antagonising forces meet and force an outcome

Denouement - the brief period of calm at the end of the film where equilibrium is returned but slightly altered, or differently placed. The character has become a better person, the world has changed - the people have changed, for better or worse.

Tzvetan Todorov goes on to suggest that narratives can be divided into five plot points which are:

1.       A state of equilibrium is established at the outset.

2.       A disruption of the equilibrium is caused by an action.

3.       Recognition of the disruption.

4.       An attempt to repair the disruption.

5.       Equilibrium is reinstated.

Voyage and return

Voyage and return

The voyage and return plot structure is prevalent in works of child fiction such as the Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland. Stories like these feature a character that is transported to a strange and magical land, sometimes unintentionally who must protect the strange land from a threat. After the character's trouble, he or she returns back to their own world having learnt something valuable about themselves.

The voyage and return storyline plays out like this:

1.       Anticipation stage and the "fall" into the other world: We are introduced to the protagonist and his or her's dull average life. The main character is transported to a magical and unknown land, sometimes by no fault of their own.

2.       Initial fascination or dream state: Shortly after the protagonist's arrival he or she begins exploring the new surroundings and experiences significant changes compared to where the main character departed from such as changes in physics and logic. The character doesn't feel at home here.

3.       Frustration stage: This is when the antagonistic presence arrives and the wonder subsides, creating unease inside our hero.

4.       Nightmare stage: the evil force that arrived in the previous stage directory pursues the main character in full force. It seems that he or she is doomed.

5.       Thrilling escape and return: the hero is saved from the malevolent entity by their own devices or with help and is allowed to return home having learnt a valuable lesson.

http://thewritepractice.com/voyage-and-return/

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheSevenBasicPlots

Narrative first lesson

Narrative encompasses the many factors that make up a story. The most important factor in any narrative is the characters; if there are no captivating characters to invest in then what's the point of the story. Dialogue is also what counts towards a good story. Narratives must have a beginning, middle and end.

Here are some examples of good game narratives in my opinion.

Oblivion: This game does not force the player to follow the games main story line, but leaves it entirely in the players hands. There are many side quests to partake in, and many locations such as dungeons and towns to explore. It has massive replay value because of its near endless quests.

Bioshock Infinite: Despite the linearity of this game the story is very captivating. The narrative of this game is full of twists and turns that keeps the player guessing where this journey is going to take them. This ultimately leads to an ending that is very unforgettable albeit complicated.

The three act structure. For this task I have to choose a film and apply the three act structure to it. I have chosen the movie starship troopers.

Act one:

State of equilibrium: the Earth is at war with an alien race known as the arachnids.

A disruption of the equilibrium: a starship narrowly misses a meteorite which is assumed to have come from the alien' s home world. The meteorite crashes to Earth and kills millions of people in a large area.

Act two:

Recognition of disruption: after the incident Earth goes to war with the arachnids and attack their home world. One of the characters' parents was killed in the meteor strike which makes this a personal mission. The military attack on aliens home world results in near total defeat because of the humans underestimation of their enemy.

Attempting to repair the disruption: after the failure of the planetary landing the military adopts new tactics to fighting the arachnids. The military intelligence discovers that the bugs are being directed by a highly intelligent one, this begins a mission to capture the creature.

Act three:

a reinstatement of equilibrium: the humans capture the brain bug and begin an attempt to understand their enemy. Despite this victory the war still rages on but mankind is once again the dominant species in the fight.