Story Development

“Every movie needs to have a beginning, middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order.”  Jean-Luc Godard

The three act structure is the theory that every film must have a beginning, middle and an end.

ESTABLISH : CRISIS : RESOLVE

For a typical 2 hour film this is usually split into the ratio

30 : 60 : 30

To create a true 3 act structure you need a protagonist, this is the main character that is almost representing us in the film.  Act 1 ends when the protagonist makes a choice that then propels the film into the main act.  Act 2 has the protagonist get into some sort of crisis which leads to act 3 where it is all resolved.  In a 3 act film the characters start in a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted leading to a sequence of events until in the end a new equilibrium is reached.  Usually this is accompanied by an inner story in which the protagonist undergoes a change emotionally. 

A film that can be linked to this 3 act structure is The Matrix.

Act 1: Beginning –Neo’s liberation
Turning Point: Morpheus captured

Act 2: Hacking into the Matrix – Rescue of Morpheus
Turning Point: Neo fights Smith

Act 3: First Smith Fight – End
Climax: Neo Runs from Agents Resolution: Neo comes back to life and easily defeats Agents

I think in a basic form this theory can be applied to most films, but that it is just a theory, it is not a strong guide to make a film work, the 3 act structure can be mixed up any way, with the end at the start or the middle at the end.  The better films are usually the ones that don’t stick to a rigid structure, keeping you on your toes.

Another element of story development is the hero’s journey.  In 1949 Joseph Campbell wrote a book called ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces’, which proposed the idea that myths from all over the world seemed to be built on the same ideas.  He mapped out the blue prints what underlie most myths, and these can be linked to the film The Matrix. 

1: Departure

The call to adventure - “Follow the white rabbit”

Refusal of the call – Neo won’t climb onto the window ledge

Supernatural aid – Trinity removes the bug from Neo

Crossing the first threshold – Neo leaves the Matrix

The belly of the whale – Smith’s Interrogation

2: Initiation

The road of trials – Fighting Morpheus

The meeting with the goddess – Meeting the Oracle

Temptation away from the true path – Cipher tempted by returning to the Matrix

Atonement with the father – Neo rescues Morpheus (father figure)

Apotheosis – Neo becomes The One

The Ultimate boon – Humanity’s salvation now within reach

3: Return

Refusal of the return – Neo fights agent instead of running

The magic flight – Helicopter

Rescue from without – Trinity saves Neo from agents

Crossing the return threshold – Neo fights Agent Smith

Master of the two worlds – Neo’s final phone call to machines

Freedom to live – Humans victorious

Obvious the rules do not always fit in order but with a little reshuffling the blue prints can fit the film.