The Three Act Structure Rules!

Today we talk a little more about movies. This time about the structure of a story.
In just about every great movie you've seen there is one common thread that tends to bind them all across all genres and styles. That is, the classic three act structure. This three act structure can be applied to any medium of storytelling. However, since my field is film, I will discuss it as it relates to that particular medium.

As the term suggests, the the three act structure breaks the story down into 3 parts. In most blockbuster movies these parts are usually pretty distinct and obvious. Let's break it down.

Act1 establishes the hero, the setting (or his normal world), the conflict and it's resulting "call to action". You see the protagonist/hero hanging out, doing his thing. We see how cool or relatable they are, and how comfortable they are in their own little world, and then... trouble arises. The protagonist must leave his comfort zone and either enthusiastically or reluctantly spring to action. Act 1 ends when the hero takes up the challenge and usually it's stated pretty darn clearly. "Now I must find or do this-and-that in order to save my that-and-this."

The journey begins with Act 2. Here the hero encounters obstacles and friends along the way. This is the roller coaster ride part of the story. At the middle of act two there is a BIG turning point. All of a sudden just when we think we're almost there, more poo poo is flung at the protagonist! Now, he doesn't just have to find the this-and-that, he now also has to do it and rescue the pretty damsel in distress. This leads him to face his greatest challenge of all. Our story's climax. After this, whether he wins or loses we are led to...

Act 3 which is the journey home. Here all loose ends are tied. It turns out that this happened to that and that happened to this therefore this got exactly what this deserved and that is now all better. Everybody is happy (or sad) depending on the story, and I am sleepy because it's about to become midnight.

If anyone actually reads this blog, I hope you learned something new. This is just a brief summary of the 3 act structure. There are tons of books out there. Most of the stuff I wrote came from reading a book by Syd Field called "Screenplay," as well as a book called "A Hero's Journey." Those books are essential to anyone wanting learn how to write great stories. Joseph Campbell is the originator of the term Hero's Journey. He's George Lucas' mentor when it comes to writing stories.

I'm off to bed now. I'd be fun if I dream ends up in a three act structure. That'd be something.