Com Arts 155 1st Edition Lecture 5 Outline of Last Lecture I Lighting in Paintings II Color Temperature III Different Uses of Lighting IV Lighting Examples V On Set Knowledge VI Light and Design Themes Outline of Current Lecture I 3 and 4 Act Structure Overview II 3 Act Model III 4 Act Model IV Differences Between Models V Screening Example VI Final Thoughts Current Lecture 3 and 4 Act Structure Overview 3 Act Structure Dominant model discussed within Hollywood Prescriptive model You can find any number of screen writing books talking about the structure Described in countless screenwriting manuals 4 Act Structure Inductive model derived from carefully viewing dozens of Hollywood films The movies don t perfectly grasp on to the 3 act model but they do seem to have 4 acts Described in Kristen Thompson s Storytelling in the New Hollywood 1999 These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute Areas of Consensus Ours story is about an active goal oriented protagonist This character drives the story s action forward Frequently the character s goals inspire two interconnected plotlines one more externally focused one more internal and intimate In Guardians of the Galaxy the external plot was focused on getting the infinity stone Internal plot was focused on grieving his mother s death Primacy of cause and effect Audience expects some kind of reaction to every action American audiences get frustrated when there isn t motivation for cause and effect Unified narrative Closure All kinds of movies and TV can leave the door open for a sequel but there s still closure Conflict has been resolved 3 Act Model Act 1 Introduce characters and exposition Learn their background Inciting incident sparks conflict Drives plot Protagonist chooses to pursue a goal Best examples are in Disney movies A lot of times the protagonist sings goal Example Disney movies with an I want song in the first act announcing the protagonist s goals Little Mermaid I want to be where the people are Lion King I just can t wait to be king Act 2 Protagonist confronts a series of obstacles in pursuit of goal Gathering of allies The stakes are raised For example Guardians of the Galaxy starts out with him thinking that he ll just make some money on the stone but it turns out it s more than that the whole universe could explode A turning point may occur midway through the second act In Anchorman it starts out with him wanting to get the girl then changes to wanting to destroy her Protagonist hits a low point near end of second act All hope seems lost Protagonist giving up but then Re commits to achieving the goal Example The Dark Knight Rises Batman literally climbs out of a hole and enters the third act Act 3 Protagonist must face final obstacle alone Generally allies have fallen off Climax Struggle and tension reach their peak Protagonist overcomes obstacle Conflict is resolved Denouement Order is restored Brief moment of calm Example Unknotting Moment in End of Starwars The Death Star is destroyed Then concludes with medals for bravery 3 act works great for big giant action movies 4 Act Model Act 1 The Setup Introduce characters and exposition Often the protagonist conceives one or more goals during this section through in some cases the setup sticks to introducing the circumstances that will later lead to the formulation of goals Act 2 The Complicating Action The complicating action pushes us in a new direction The new direction may involve the hero pursuing a goal conceived during the setup but having to change tactics dramatically In many cases though the complicating action serves as a sort of counter setup building a whole new situation with which the protagonist must cope Ex In Silver Lining s play book he originally wants to get his wife back but in the process he goes in another direction Act 3 The Development By now an extensive set of premises goals and obstacles have been introduced This is where the protagonist s struggle toward his or her goals typically occurs often involving many incidents that create action suspense and delay The development usually ends at the point where all the premises regarding the goals and lines of action have been introduced Act 4 Climax and Epilogue The action shifts into a straightforward progress toward the final resolution typically building steadily toward a concentrated sequence of high action The key question now is will the protagonists goals be achieved or not A brief epilogue follows the climax Difference between the 2 Act 2 is very long in the 3 act model 4 Act structure is all equally divided 4 Act model gives flexibility Characters have goals but they change Screening Parks and Recreation Boys Club Season 1 2009 Value of storytelling structures is not simply repetition If you re writing for television you got to do a lot of content and do it quickly You need a structure that lets you hang jokes into the story You need to be able to justify these jokes It s a sitcom situation comedy There is a certain amount of tension Andy s Story B Story 1st Act Goal Clean up the house and surprise Ann Larger Goal Show Ann he appreciates her 2nd Act Andy tires to clean himself despite having casts on his legs His irritable neighbor steals his clothes and Andy chases after him naked 3rd Act Andy achieves goals of cleaning cleaning himself and surprising Ann Andy succeeds in improving his relationship with Ann Leslie A Story 1st Act Leslie s season long goal Build a park in the abandoned lot Episode goal Enter the boys club Larger character goals To do right at all times social acceptance 2nd Act In order to keep the boys club meeting going Leslie opens the cheese and wine basket This complicating action leads to a counter setup Leslie must atone for her poor decision as a public servant and woman in politics 3rd Act Stake in crease Leslie s job is now on the line Tom grills her to prepare for her hearing Ron accompanies her to hearing She reads the statement and answers the first set of questions 4th Act Climax begins during second scene of Leslie s hearting Tension escalates Ron stands up for her Leslie gets slip in record All the male City Planners have slips Leslie has joined the boys club after all Final Thoughts 4 Act structure better describes Leslie s more important and complex story line 3 Act better escribes Andy s simpler and shorter storyline If you want a career writing for