story-structure

name	story-structure
description	Three-act screenplay structure with beat placement. Covers opening image, inciting incident, midpoint, all is lost, climax, and page targets for feature screenplays. Use when: planning screenplay structure, analyzing narrative arc, placing story beats, or validating structural integrity.

Story Structure

Three-Act Structure

Act One (Setup) - ~25%

• Opening Image - Visual that sets tone
• Theme Stated - Hint at the theme
• Setup - Introduce protagonist, world, stakes
• Catalyst - Inciting incident
• Debate - Protagonist hesitates
• Break into Two - Protagonist commits to journey

Act Two (Confrontation) - ~50%

• B Story - Secondary storyline (often romance/friendship)
• Fun and Games - Promise of the premise
• Midpoint - False victory or defeat, raises stakes
• Bad Guys Close In - Pressure increases
• All Is Lost - Lowest point
• Dark Night of the Soul - Protagonist confronts failure

Act Three (Resolution) - ~25%

• Break into Three - Solution discovered
• Finale - Confrontation and resolution
• Final Image - Opposite of opening, showing change

Beat Sheet (Save the Cat!)

Beat	Page	Purpose
Opening Image	1	Set tone, "before" snapshot
Theme Stated	5	Someone hints at lesson
Set-Up	1-10	Introduce hero's world
Catalyst	12	Life-changing event
Debate	12-25	Should hero act?
Break into Two	25	Hero enters Act 2
B Story	30	Subplot begins
Fun and Games	30-55	Promise of premise
Midpoint	55	Stakes raised
Bad Guys Close In	55-75	Opposition increases
All Is Lost	75	Whiff of death
Dark Night	75-85	Hero at lowest
Break into Three	85	"A-ha!" moment
Finale	85-110	Final confrontation
Final Image	110	"After" snapshot

Sequence Method

Eight sequences, each 10-15 pages:

1. Sequence A - Status quo and inciting incident
2. Sequence B - Predicament and lock-in
3. Sequence C - First obstacle
4. Sequence D - First culmination (midpoint)
5. Sequence E - Subplot dominates
6. Sequence F - Main tension returns
7. Sequence G - Second culmination (crisis)
8. Sequence H - Resolution

Hero's Journey

1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to Inmost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with Elixir