The document outlines Syd Field's paradigm for screenplay structure. It divides a screenplay into 3 acts that make up 100% of the story - Act 1 (25%), Act 2 (50%), and Act 3 (25%). Each act serves a specific purpose in the story. Act 1 establishes the world, characters, and their relationships. Act 2 introduces the conflict. Plot points spin the story in a new direction between the acts. Act 3 resolves the conflict, with the character succeeding or failing to achieve their goal. The structure follows a setup of the world and characters, departure from their normal situation, struggle against obstacles, overcoming obstacles, and return home with resolution.

1. Syd Field
Screenplay Structure

2. Paradigm
Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Beginning
Middle
End
25%
50%
25%
Plot Point 1
Set-up
Plot Point 2
Confrontation
Resolution

3. Act 1
• Establish the World
• Establish the Characters
• Establish the relationship between
characters
• Who are they and what do they do?

4. Act 2
• What is the conflict?
• Is it Internal? External? Emotional, Physical?
• What happens to stop our character?
• What obstacles go they overcome?

5. Act 3
• What is the solution for the character?
• Do they succeed?
• Do they Fail?
• What is the solution of the story?

6. Plot Point
• An event that hooks into action and spins it
around in a new direction.
• How we get from Beginning to middle and
middle to end?

7. Setup World (Home)
Beginning
Establish Characters
Plot point
Leaving Home
Middle
Struggling with Obstacle
Plot point
Overcoming Obstacle
End
Character reaches goal
Characters return Home

8. Further Reading
• The Heroes Journey
• Syd Field Paradigm
• Story