How Do You Develop A 3-Act Screenplay Structure?
Most stories have easily defined beginnings, middles and ends, but in the screenwriting world, this is known as the three-act structure. The three-act structure is easy to understand, but developing it in a screenplay can take a lot of work and editing. Formulating a solid three-act structure will help with the success of your script in Hollywood. Start out with an opening that sets up the character. This should show what normal life is for the character before a big obstacle is introduced. You can also expand on this and feature different twists or intense scenes, but normally this is a set-up to learn more about the character. Put an obstacle or change of pace into the character’s life. This plot point will send the movie into the second act. For example, Larry spends every day working at the same grocery store until one day he is kidnapped and forced to work for the mob. Basically, it should be something that sends the story in a new direction and becomes the main plot of the movie.
