✍️Intro to Screenwriting Unit 4 – Plot and Structure

What's the Big Picture?

• Plot refers to the sequence of events that make up a story, including the order in which they occur and how they relate to one another
• A well-crafted plot engages the audience, creates tension, and drives the story forward towards a satisfying resolution
• Plot is closely intertwined with character development, as the characters' actions and decisions shape the course of the story
• The plot structure of a screenplay typically follows a three-act structure (setup, confrontation, resolution), which helps to organize the story and maintain pacing
• Effective plots often incorporate themes and motifs that provide deeper meaning and resonance to the story
• Subplots, which are secondary storylines that support or contrast with the main plot, can add depth and complexity to the narrative
• Foreshadowing is a technique used in plotting to hint at future events or revelations, creating anticipation and engagement for the audience

Key Elements of Plot

• Exposition introduces the characters, setting, and initial situation of the story, providing the necessary context for the audience
• Inciting incident is the event that sets the story in motion, disrupting the protagonist's status quo and presenting a challenge or opportunity
• Rising action is the series of events that follow the inciting incident, as the protagonist faces obstacles and conflicts in pursuit of their goal
  • These events should escalate in intensity and stakes, building tension and suspense
• Climax is the highest point of tension in the story, where the protagonist faces the ultimate challenge or makes a crucial decision
• Falling action is the series of events that follow the climax, as the story's conflicts are resolved and the consequences of the climax play out
• Resolution is the final outcome of the story, where loose ends are tied up and the protagonist's journey comes to a conclusion
  • The resolution should provide a sense of closure and satisfaction for the audience
• Denouement is an optional final scene or epilogue that follows the resolution, providing a glimpse into the characters' lives after the main story has ended

Structure Basics

• The three-act structure is a common framework for organizing the plot of a screenplay, consisting of the setup (Act 1), confrontation (Act 2), and resolution (Act 3)
  • Act 1 typically comprises the first 25-30% of the story, Act 2 the middle 50-60%, and Act 3 the final 20-25%
• The setup (Act 1) establishes the characters, world, and central conflict of the story, ending with the inciting incident that propels the protagonist into the main action
• The confrontation (Act 2) is the longest section of the story, where the protagonist faces a series of escalating obstacles and setbacks in pursuit of their goal
  • The midpoint is a key turning point in Act 2, where the story takes a significant shift in direction or raises the stakes
• The resolution (Act 3) is where the story's conflicts are resolved, often through a climactic confrontation, and the protagonist's journey comes to a conclusion
• Plot points are key events or turning points that occur at specific moments in the story, propelling the plot forward and shifting the direction of the narrative (inciting incident, midpoint, climax)
• Pacing refers to the speed and rhythm at which the story unfolds, which can be influenced by factors such as the frequency and intensity of plot points, the balance of action and dialogue, and the use of montages or time jumps

Types of Story Structures

• Linear structure is a straightforward, chronological approach where the story progresses from beginning to end without any significant deviations or time jumps
• Non-linear structure involves telling the story out of chronological order, often through the use of flashbacks, flash-forwards, or parallel storylines
  • This structure can be used to create mystery, reveal character backstories, or juxtapose different time periods
• Episodic structure is composed of a series of loosely connected stories or vignettes that are linked by a common theme, character, or setting (Pulp Fiction)
• Circular structure begins and ends in the same place, with the story's events forming a complete loop that brings the protagonist back to where they started, often with a new perspective or understanding
• Fractured structure is a more experimental approach that breaks the story into fragments or pieces that are presented out of order, challenging the audience to piece together the narrative (Memento)
• Ensemble structure follows multiple protagonists with intersecting storylines, often exploring a central theme or event from different perspectives (Crash)
• Quest structure follows the protagonist on a journey to achieve a specific goal, often facing a series of challenges or obstacles along the way (The Lord of the Rings)

Building Tension and Conflict

• Conflict is the engine that drives the plot forward, as the protagonist faces obstacles, challenges, and opposing forces in pursuit of their goal
  • Conflict can be external (between characters or against the environment) or internal (within the protagonist's own mind)
• Stakes refer to the consequences or potential outcomes of the protagonist's actions, which should be significant enough to create a sense of urgency and importance
  • Raising the stakes throughout the story helps to maintain tension and engagement
• Suspense is the feeling of anticipation or uncertainty about what will happen next, often created through the use of mystery, danger, or time pressure
• Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating a sense of tension or anticipation as the characters navigate the situation
• Reversals are unexpected plot twists or turns that subvert the audience's expectations and create a sense of surprise or shock
  • Reversals can be used to reveal new information, shift the power dynamics between characters, or change the direction of the story
• Setbacks are obstacles or failures that the protagonist encounters along the way, which create conflict and force them to adapt or overcome
• Pacing can be used to build tension by alternating between moments of high intensity and quieter, more introspective scenes, allowing the audience to catch their breath before the next challenge arises

Character Arcs and Plot

• Character arc refers to the internal journey of growth, change, or transformation that a character undergoes throughout the story
• The protagonist's character arc should be closely intertwined with the plot, as their actions, decisions, and reactions shape the course of the story
• A well-crafted character arc should see the protagonist start in one emotional or psychological state and end in a different, often more evolved or self-aware state
• The plot should present challenges, obstacles, and events that force the protagonist to confront their flaws, fears, or limiting beliefs, catalyzing their growth and change
• Supporting characters can also have their own arcs that intersect with and influence the protagonist's journey, adding depth and complexity to the story
• Character revelations, where hidden aspects of a character's past, personality, or motivation are revealed, can be used as plot points to create tension, surprise, or empathy
• The climax of the story often coincides with the protagonist's moment of greatest change or realization, where they must make a crucial decision or take a significant action that demonstrates their growth

Common Plot Pitfalls

• Plot holes are gaps or inconsistencies in the story's logic or continuity that can break the audience's immersion and suspension of disbelief
• Deus ex machina is a plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected or contrived intervention, often feeling unearned or unsatisfying
• Predictability can occur when the story follows a formula or trope too closely, making it easy for the audience to guess what will happen next and reducing engagement
• Lack of stakes or urgency can make the plot feel low-energy or inconsequential, failing to create a sense of investment or excitement for the audience
• Uneven pacing, such as rushing through important plot points or spending too much time on insignificant details, can disrupt the flow and momentum of the story
• Lack of character motivation can make the protagonist's actions feel arbitrary or unbelievable, undermining the credibility and emotional impact of the plot
• Overreliance on exposition or telling rather than showing can make the story feel dry or uninvolving, failing to engage the audience's imagination or emotions

Putting It All Together

• Outline your plot before writing to ensure that the structure is sound, the pacing is effective, and the character arcs are well-integrated
• Use index cards or a story map to visualize the key plot points and turning points, making sure that each event builds logically and escalates the tension
• Ensure that every scene has a clear purpose and moves the story forward, either by revealing character, building tension, or advancing the plot
• Pay attention to the balance of action, dialogue, and description, using each element strategically to create a vivid and engaging story world
• Revise and refine your plot through multiple drafts, seeking feedback from trusted readers and being open to making changes or cuts as needed
• Read successful screenplays in your genre to study how they structure their plots, build tension, and develop characters, looking for techniques you can apply to your own writing
• Remember that plot is just one element of a successful screenplay, and must be balanced with strong characters, dialogue, theme, and visual storytelling to create a compelling and memorable story