A Hollywood screenplay usually has three acts to tell its plot. While William Shakespeare's plays were written in a five-act framework, current screenwriters use a three-act structure.

What Is the Structure of the Three-Act Play?

The three-act structure splits a story into three portions, each centred on one or more plot aspects that drive the overall action. An entire story is told during the three acts. The main character goes through the stages of a character arc, the main plot progresses toward the protagonist's goal, and at the end, the action is wrapped up and major loose ends have been tied up. In screenwriting, the second act accounts for around half of the actual storytelling, with the first act accounting for 25% of the plot and the final act for 25%.

The First Act of a Film: How to Structure It.

Act one of a three-act plot structure establishes the screenplay's environment and key characters, as well as sets the stage for the characters' journey.

1. The setup: The first act usually begins with an exposition, which consists of one or more scenes that introduce the story's world. Before the adventure begins, the set-up should establish the tone of the movie and show the audience what your protagonist's everyday life is like. Introduce your primary characters in the first act, highlighting their personality features and the possibilities for future character growth. The set-up is also an excellent location to subtly introduce your screenplay's topic (which is often a lesson that your protagonist must learn).

2. The inciting incident: This is the event that propels your protagonist into the story's main action. The triggering event alters a character's life, and the story that follows is the result of that alteration.

3. The argument: Your protagonist is faced with a decision following the inciting occurrence. Do they try to carry on as if nothing has happened, or do they push themselves out of their comfort zone? This call to action, which is a pivotal story moment in the conventional hero's journey, maybe initially rejected by the protagonist.

4. The turning moment, often known as the first story point, is when your protagonist decides to leave their old world behind and go on a journey into a new one. The last beat before the first act break marks a turning moment.

The Second Act of a Film: How to Structure It.

The middle act of a script comprises of escalating action that leads to a midpoint, a crisis, and finally a new plan of action.

1. Writers insert subplot elements, such as a potential love interest or other plots, towards the start of the second act. Frequently, the sub-plot introduces the protagonist to a fresh cast of previously unknown characters as they embark on their adventure.

2. The story's halfway is when the stakes are elevated, and the audience learns more about the characters' true abilities and the potential drama that lies ahead. Obstacles, subplots, and other occurrences endanger the hero's overarching goal. Characters usually suffer a false loss around the halfway point.

3. All hope appears to be lost: At this point in the story, the world has gotten the better of the heroes, and all hope appears to be lost. By the end of act two, both internal and external problems have reached a breaking point, and the main characters have hit rock bottom. The protagonists believe they have lost and that there is no possibility for atonement, even though their defeat is merely temporary.

4. A new strategy: The characters must delve deep within themselves to devise a new strategy for overcoming the obstacles they encounter. The characters devise a winning strategy or, at the very least, the hero is re-energized enough to attempt to resolve the story's issue once and for all as a result of that realization or a piece of fresh information. The hero is no longer hopeless; he or she will battle for what they believe in.

The Third Act of a Film: How to Structure It

Act three tries to wrap up any loose ends in the screenplay's plots.

1. The climax: The hero pushes on in the third act, hoping to save the day. When your main plot and subplots intertwine, the bad guys are confronted, and lessons are learned, this is when it's time to wrap things up. The climax should be emotionally fulfilling and answer the thematic question you teased in the setup of the screenplay.

2. The denouement: As the story draws to a close, the climactic events fade away into the background. While your tale should have a happy ending, your screenplay doesn't have to. Instead, strive for a sense of finality, even if there is a larger plot that will be continued in future sequels.

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