How to Fully Comprehend Plot Point One

You've heard it many times before, some vague, virtually meaningless description of the elusive story element called, "Plot Point One." Screenwriting books describe it as, "A point that spins the action," "A major turning point," "The plot event that moves the story forward." This is pointless jargon written by people who can't write screenplays so they write screenplay books. It's bullshit that they can't give you a concise description of what it is. I'll give you one.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A rudimentary concept of story

1. Forget about "moving the story forward." Everything should move the story forward. Forget about "spinning the action." That's a meaningless buzz phrase used in instructional books.
   Know that a good script is about ONE person who wants to do ONE thing, or a slight variation on this. (Thelma and Louse BOTH wanting to get to Mexico, or Marty McFly wanting to get his parents together AND get back to the future)

2. Now consider that to every story there is the concept of WHAT the protagonist must accomplish, and HOW they must accomplish it. The catalyst, inciting incident, or whatever you wish to call it, establishes the "what?" What does your hero need to do? If they don't need to do anything, then you're not writing a movie. If you are writing a movie, we learn the "what" ten pages into the script.

3. Once we know WHAT our character must do, we have to establish HOW they will do it. Plot point one, occurring 25% of the way into the script, is the event that allows your protagonist to establish HOW to accomplish their goal. So, at the break into Act II, your hero knows exactly how they will go about trying to accomplish the desire that is instilled due to the catalyst.

4. Here's five examples:
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   Shrek
   WHAT: Get back his swamp
   HOW: Rescue the princess
   
   Blues Brothers
   WHAT: Save the school
   HOW: Get THE BAND! back together
   
   Superbad
   WHAT: Get the girls
   HOW: Get the alcohol
   
   Orange County
   WHAT: Get into Stanford
   HOW: Go there
   
   Back to the Future
   WHAT: Get back
   HOW: The lighting storm

5. The "what" usually occurs around ten percent of the way into the script, or more precisely is sparked by the event that occurs ten percent in, and the "how" pretty much always occurs at 25%. It should be noted that the "how" established at plot point one is USUALLY then changed at plot point two, because either they are pursuing the goal the wrong way, or they realize the goal itself is wrong, but I'll discuss that more when I discuss plot point two.

6. Now consider that the other element in relating character to plot is the big WHY? You can't just have characters doing things for no reason! They have to be compelled, they have to need it.

Tips & Warnings

• The next ten times you watch a movie, note WHAT the protagonist needs and HOW they will achieve it, and pay attention to when they occur in real time.
• Beware vague explanations in screenwriting books. If the author understands what he is writing about, he will state it very clearly.