Scribd
Upload
181 views3 pages

3 Act Story Structure Assignment

The document provides instructions for students to analyze a feature film based on its 3 act story structure. Students are asked to chart the film's progression by creating a beat sheet that outlines the key plot points and characters in each act. They should identify the protagonist, antagonist, sidekicks, and mentors introduced in Act 1. For Acts 2 and 3, students should note the main plot points, conflicts, and climactic moments, including when the protagonist commits to their goal. The runtime should be included to indicate when each beat occurs in the film.

Uploaded by

api-308067286
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
181 views3 pages

3 Act Story Structure Assignment

The document provides instructions for students to analyze a feature film based on its 3 act story structure. Students are asked to chart the film's progression by creating a beat sheet that outlines the key plot points and characters in each act. They should identify the protagonist, antagonist, sidekicks, and mentors introduced in Act 1. For Acts 2 and 3, students should note the main plot points, conflicts, and climactic moments, including when the protagonist commits to their goal. The runtime should be included to indicate when each beat occurs in the film.

Uploaded by

api-308067286
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Identify the 3 Act Story Structure in a Feature Film Fall 2023

TGV4MO

Submit this assignment as a Google Doc. to your class folder


You may use any combination of Drawing the story plot and writing as best suits you
Based on “Breakaway” or “The Trotsky” viewed on Youtube, students will outline the story of a
film based on the 3 Act Structure.

Chart the film’s 3 Act Structure as it progresses through the entire film. You will create a “Beat
sheet” for the film. This will visually outline the progression of the film’s plot and characters in a
mountain chart.
What is a Beat sheet? Check out this video.
https://youtube.com/shorts/7c67HkaFVcY?si=6hRVnxrVy_PUWzw9

Here are a couple of other written resource to explore. It is created for the “Masterclass”
industry/professional filmmaking industry.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-beat-in-screenwriting
This resource identifies 12 beats you should look for in a film.

Identify the main “Beats” in your chosen film - this will give you a detailed “map” of the 3 act
structure.
1. Please write it in point form - as long as you explain the beat
2. Include the “Runtime” of the movie - Runtime is the time at which the beat occurs. Shown in
the Youtube playback monitor.
Highly recommend you play and pause as you watch the movie to capture the important points
along the way.

Your may prefer this simpler version that explains the goal of a Beat sheet and what it should
include
https://kaneholder.com/blog/how-to-write-a-beat-sheet-tv-film
Resource from kaneholder.com Filmmaking site.

Do your best to capture the events as they unfold in the movie you choose to watch. You
are new to this, I get it!
Here are elements you are to identify in your beat sheet document
Act 1
Identify when Act starts and finishes in your opinion
(Use the runtime of the film for start and finish of Act 1)
What essential information is communicated to the audience in Act 1?
Identify:
The characters of the film:
Protagonist (the hero)
Antagonist (the villain)
Sidekicks (helpers)
Mentors

More resources on characters in film


http://snydercommtech.weebly.com/importance-of-characters-main-types.html

In what Act and what point in that act do they appear in the film?
What is the runtime of the film when they appear?

Act 2
Identify main plot points in Act 2
What is the actual runtime of each main plot point?
What is the runtime of Act 2 (length of Act 2 - note the start and end time of the act)
At what point does the Protagonist commit to his/her goal?
What happens at that point in the story?
Identify emerging obstacle during Act 2 that creates conflict to prevent the
Protagonist for achieving their goal.
Does the film have an Act 2 mid-point?
Does the film have an “all is lost moment” in second half of act 2?
Does the film have an “Ah ha” moment in Act 2 where the character knows how
they will succeed?
Act 3 - Conflict at highest
Identify the “Climax” of the film
Where does the story takes reach the point where the goal of the Protagonist is
achieved - or not.
What happens at that point in the story to signify that it is the climax?
What is the
runtime that the climax occurs
Is it clear the film has a resolution?
When does Act 3 begin - ie. begins resolving plot lines?
What happens to signify the beginning of Act 3 to you?
Is your Protagonist successful in their quest?
Are all the plot lines brought to conclusion?
 

You might also like