Three Act Structure

Syd Field was the mastermind behind the three-act structure. He was the author of play script and also the Screen Writer’s book, so had come up with

the paradigm that most screenplays nowadays follow.The paradigm is very important as its what holds screenplays together.

Referring back to Fields model, the screenplays follow a three-act structure, which means the playscript is sectioned into 3 parts: Setup, Confrontation,

and determination.

Safiya Gobir

The Plot Point, in keeping with Field, the three-acts are separated by two plot points. A plot point, typically known as a reversal, is a event that drives the plot in an exceedingly new direction, leading into a brand new act of the script. The script experts have engineered on Field's theory by stating that plot point II, leads into Act II, which is the moment once the hero takes on the matter.

Plot Point

Act ISetup

This section is the first quarter and introduces the screenplay

Events in Act I: Dramatic premise- What the story's about Dramatic situation- The circumstances surrounding the action Exposition- The part of a story that introduces the characters and the

main ones, shows some of their interrelationships, and places them within a time and place

Conflicts- shows any minor disputes some of the characters may have Location- Main location in where the screenplay will carry on from Enigma- A question that is not instantly answered therefore draws an

audience into a text Connotation- Way in which meaning is created

Act IIConfrontation

This section involves the next two quarters of the screenplay

Events in Act II: First Culmination--a point just before the halfway point of the film

where the main character seems close to achieving their goal/objective. Then, everything falls apart, leading to the midpoint.

Midpoint--a point roughly halfway through the film where the main character reaches his/her lowest point and seems furthest from achieving the dramatic need or objective.

Obstacles--In the second act, the main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that prevent them from achieving their dramatic need.

Unresolvement- further difficulties in overcoming the obstacle

Act IIIResolution

This section is the final quarter of the whole screenplay

Events in Act III: Climax (Second Culmination)--The point at which the plot reaches its

maximum tension and the forces in antagonism confront each other at a height of physical or emotional action.

Denouement--A time of tranquil at the end of a film where a state of equilibrium returns.

Narrative Closure- This means that the film is coming to an end and that everything has finally been resolved

Breachs’Three-act structure

The film I will be producing has many features relating to the three act structure. However, within this short-film, it would've been difficult to include an ending due to the fact that the overall film is too short and having each three characters have a specific ending would've taken a majority of time to fit in.So I have interpreted the three-act structure close enough to fit in with the film The film doesn’t consist of an Act III as there is no

particular ending to each of the stories

I will continue to interpret the first two parts of the three-act structure for all three characters

Daniel Burke

Erin Thomas

Floyd Micel

Act I- Daniel Burke is a young teenager living in the heart of London. He has gotten into trouble in the past with law enforcement and fellow individuals. We can tell from this first act past but is trying to sort his life around after losing his friend

Act II- Just seen in the first act he was trying to sort himself out, we see him getting himself a girlfriend in this act. However, he slips to his old ways as he gets into trouble with another young man over a drug-feud which results in a attack

Act I- Erin Thomas is a very popular student at her high school, he is invited to a number of social events and has a healthy relationship with her family at home. We come to the realisation that her father is not around too often due to the unsteady relationship with her parents

Act II- As a result of absenteeism of her father, her mother is required to work extra hours in order to make ends-meet. This puts a strain on Erins social life lowering her confidence as she often has to look after her young siblings

Act I-Floyd Micel is a well-off young man as he is financially and academically stable. He attends one of the best schools in London and has many friends, including his long-term girlfriend. His father travels abroad frequently on business trips leaving jus him and his mother at homeAct II- His father has relocated elsewhere and has stated him and his mother to move in with him, this doesn’t sit well with Floyd. His girlfriend also decided to end the relationship resulting it in him becoming depressed and putting a strain into his school works because of lack of concentration