This document provides guidance on screenwriting basics and the three-act structure. It discusses setting up characters and story threads in Act 1, confronting obstacles in Act 2, and resolving the story in Act 3. Turning points propel the story at the ends of Acts 1 and 2. While most Hollywood films follow this structure, it is not the only way to tell a story and screenwriters should focus first on their vision.

1. Stories, Plots, Narrative
 You have an idea for a film that you want to
write.
 Remember that films are ‘Show Don’t Tell’
 Remember to concentrate on the visuals
which will tell your story
 Importantly as well, is that ‘Dialogue’ has to
be character specific, that is the character
speaking is convincing in what they are
saying.

2. Screenwriting: The Basics
 You must layout your script in the correct
industry standard format layout and Courier
12pt typeface
 Use screenwriting software to format your
scripts that way you can concentrate on the
story you wish to tell.
 www.celtx.com free screenwriting software
 Others are Final Draft and Screenwriter

3. Screenwriting: The Basics
In correct screenplay layout one page is one
minute on the screen, this is a good rule to
work by.
Your first draft will generally be 30% too long
Revise your script constantly and cut, cut, cut
as you refine and improve and sharpen
Movies are good at telling stories but not
good at telling very complicated stories

4. Screenwriting: The Basics
 Remember:
 What if? A good way to start generating
stories.
 Use a variety of sources from pictures to
books to articles to things you see and hear as
a starting point.
 Kiss: ‘Keep it Simple Stupid’

5. Screenwriting
 The majority of movies and particularly those
coming out of the USA follow that is called:
 The Classic Hollywood Narrative …or…
 the Three Act Structure
 The Discontinuous Narrative: is another way
of telling your script and can be defined as….
 ….every story has a Beginning a Middle and
an End….….but not necessarily in that order.

6. The Three Act Structure
 The Screenplay is divided into three parts :
 Act 1 : The Set-up (of location and
characters) (the first 1/4)
 Act 2 : The Confrontation (with obstacles)
(the middle 1/2)
 Act 3: The Climax and Resolution
(the last 1/4)

7. We can be Heroes
 Protagonist: The good guys or girls
 Antagonist: The bad guys or girls
 Note: Antagonists do not have to be people……
 who can they be? Examples?
 Scripts are about ‘Confrontations’ and
overcoming them

8. The Three Act Structure
 We will use as our example a 2 hr film which
equates to 120 pages of correctly laid out
screenplay.
 1 page of Screenplay = 1 minute of screen time
 Total running time 120 minutes/120 pages of
script
 Screenplays are constructed/hinged around two
Act Breaks or commonly referred to as ‘Turning
Points’.

9. Turning Points
 Movies following the Classic Hollywood
Narrative method of construction are written
around/constructed around these two Turning
Points:
 ‘Turning Point One’ at the end of Act 1 or
approximately 30 minutes into your screenplay
 ‘Turning Point Two’ at the end of act Two or
approximately 90 minutes into your screenplay
 (approximately = within a page or two)

10. The Three Act Structure

11. Turning Point 1
 The Turning Points are Plot Devices, incidents
that allow/propel your story forward….cause and
effect.
 Act 1: The set-Up: introduces our characters and
story plots, (and with its own 3 acts structure) it
takes us to…..
 Turning Point One: a point where we have had a
mini-story that ends, but then leads us into a
new story, this will be the main direction the rest
of the story follows.
 Essentially the moment the hero takes on the
main quest/problem/confrontations.

12. Turning Point 2
 Turning Point 2: The most important
part/event of a three act structure narrative.
 Turning Point Two: is generally at the point
where your main Character/Protagonist is
furthest from achieving their goal, then they
see a way out/way forward to the
climax/conclusion of your story.

13. 3 Act Structure
 To clarify the breakdown of a Three Act
Structure screenplay of two hours / 120 pages:
 Act 1 = 30 pages
 Act 2 = 60 pages (starts at or around page
30/30 mins)
 Act 3 = 30 pages (starts at or around page
90/90 mins)

14. Act 1
 Act 1 is also called the Set-Up
 You introduce all you main characters
 All your story threads, plots, sub-plots etc
 It is also a self contained story of its own (with
its own 3 act structure!)

15. Act 2
 The main story
 The bit you really want to write with your
characters developing and changing as they
progress through your story.
 Conflicts and confrontations in our hero’s way
and stopping them achieving their goal.

16. Act 3
 The Resolution
 You finish your story
 Tie up all loose ends
 Characters will have undergone a life-
changing journey over the 120 minutes: ‘The
Character Arc’

17. What makes a great Movie?
 Conflict
 Characters
 Situations
 Locations
 Convincing Protagonist
 Convincing Antagonist
 Great Dialogue!

18. How Long?
 It doesn’t matter if your script is 3 or 120 pages
 The Three Act Structure can be
adapted/modified to any length
 But it is not the only way of telling your story
 Movies that do not follow this structure……?
 Write the script/movie the way you want to and
you feel is best, the rules are there to help not
dictate…