Things You'll Need:
- A Movie
- A Pen and Paper
- An Eye for Structure
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Step 1
INCITING INCIDENT
After you turn on the movie, you want to look for what is called the "Inciting Incident". What is the inciting incident? This is the point in which the “hero” encounters some thing, force or person that shakes his everyday/normal world up and sets him on the path to adventure.
This point usually comes around 10-15 minutes into the movie. -
Step 2
END OF ACT ONE
The next structural point in the movie comes when the hero is fully thrust into the "special world". This is considered to be the end of Act One.
Often, the hero will attempt to refuse this "call to adventure" before fully accepting the task before him.
This point usually comes around 25-30 minutes into the movie. -
Step 3
MIDPOINT/CONFRONTATION
The next structural point is considered to be the major point of confrontation. This is when the hero fully confronts the forces that are against him.
Here the battle is on and the two opposing forces go at each other and the hero usually comes out the loser.
This point usually comes around 55 - 65 minutes into the movie. -
Step 4
END OF ACT TWO
This structural point will often be the lowest point in the movie. It is the point where all looks lost and in some case the hero will actually appear to die physically.
This point usually comes around 70- 80 minutes into the movie. -
Step 5
END OF ACT THREE / DENOUEMENT
This structural point take place at the conclusion of the movie. It is here that the hero finally triumphs or accepts his losses (in a tragedy). Any loose ends still left will be tied up here.
This point usually comes in the last 15 minutes of the movie.
