Getting Busy In this 4-Act structural scenario, “Act Three” is the latter half of the old Act Two.  This is the section of your story from the midpoint up to the events that make the end inevitable.  This is the period in which the main character comes to understand what it is that s/he must … More Screenplay Structure (Part #4)

  Making Friends and Learning Things in a Four-Act Structure If you consider the midpoint of your story as similar to a plot point that turns an act from one to another, then the midpoint of your screenplay can serve the same function.  Instead of the structure of your story being three acts in which … More Screenplay Structure (Part #3)

The Midpoint Shift As we discussed in my last blog, every story has three acts — a beginning, middle and end.  But an interesting thing happens in a film script, there is a shift at the midpoint of the story.  Often, this “Midpoint Shift” is when the hero goes from flailing against the conflicts she … More Screenplay Structure (Part #2)

Beginnings, Middles and Ends Every event in life has a beginning, middle and end.  There is a situation, something happens and a new situation is created.  It’s the structure of every joke, every news story, every personal story and every piece of dramatic writing.  The transition from beginning to end is the change that is … More Screenplay Structure (Part #1)

Movies are stories.  They are journeys.  They are about an individual or group of individuals – usually led by one person — going through a unique experience. Every story has a Main Character.  That person has an objective that he or she pursues throughout the story.  The basic story question that each tale poses is: … More Thinking About Your Movie Idea

A good dramatic story can be summed up in three words: Change over time. For those who think in formulas, it looks like this:                                                               … More What is a good dramatic story?

The idea of putting your thoughts down on paper and sharing your vision with your friends, colleagues and, perhaps, other filmmakers makes your toes tingle and your eyes shine. But seriously, does anyone care? It probably strikes fear in your parents, anxiety in your friends who know that one day you’ll ask them to read your work, and a big snore from everyone else. Why…? … More So You Want to Be a Screenwriter?