Week 1: Screenplay Structure

Week 1: Plot and Screenplay Structure

This week we talked about the essential elements of a Plot: 


1) Believable/Sympathetic Lead Character

• Often stereotypes are used
• Actions/Reactions have to be consistent 
• Character needs improvement through course of film (Character Arch)

2) Urgent/Difficult Problem

• Can be personal or global (e.g. Alien Invasion or Lost Love) 

3) Attempts to overcome the problem

• Results in rising "pinches" or plot points and leads to...:

4) Climax/Last Chance

• Character realizes his mistakes and has to either turn it around NOW or face an unhappy ending

5) Resolution 

• Happy/Sad Ending or Open Ending

The Screenplay Structure of a movie can be divided into 3 acts: 

1) The Setup

• Answers the WHO, WHERE+WHEN and WHAT of the movie (context)

2) The Confrontation

• Longest act of the movie, shows the HOW and WHY of the actions, contains of several pinches and the mid point (turning point) of the movie

3) The Resolution

• Often only a few minutes long, shows in time lapse how the rest of the characters lives will be (e.g. jumps directly to wedding and the happily ever after couple) 

This week's blog will be about: 

*Watch a movie of your choice and discuss: Elements of Plot OR Screenplay Structure
*Review short films from SP2 2012 - GOOD / BAD? What could be done better?