3 Act structure analysis
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ACT 1 Exposition - Arthur is a clown working as a sign spinner. He is downtrodden and depressed. He visits a psychologist. He lives with his mum in a city full of rats and vermin. He has an uncontrollable laugh when he is nervous or anxious. Inciting incident - Arthur is beaten up (the world is against him - what will he do about it?) Macguffin - to overcome his situation in life and become a comedian. To appear on Live with Murray Franklin. A human connection with someone (Sophie? His father?) Pinch point 1 - Arthur is fired from his job, the only good thing he had going. His world enters disequilibrium Plot point 1 - Arthur kills the businessmen in the subway. He has left his comfort zone. He is now deep into disequilibrium. ACT 2 Plot point 2 - Arthur discovers he may be Thomas Wayne’s son. Pinch point 2 - Arthur’s mother has a heart attack and goes to hospital where Arthur sees his idol (Murray) mocking his stand up on TV. Plot point 3 - Arthur is invited on Live with Murray Franklin Pinch point 3 - Arthur steals his mothers papers from Arkum Asylum discovers he is indeed adopted and a victim of abuse (with a traumatic head injury) so he kills his mother Plot point 4 - the audience discovers Arthur’s relationship with Sophie was all in his head. Plot point 5 - Arthur murder his co-worker Randal and spares Gary. Gary now knows Arthur’s secret and the end is in sight for him. ACT 3 Pinch point 5 - Arthur is recognised by the detectives that have been looking for him and they chase him and a protestor is shot. Plot point 6 (twist) - Arthur appears on Live with Murray Franklin admits to murdering the businessmen and then shoots Murray instead of killing himself like he practised Pinch point 7 - Joker is arrested as a riot begins across Gotham Plot Point 7 (resolution) - rioters crash an ambulance into the police car carrying Joker and free him. He stands atop the car and smears blood into a smile. The rioters rejoice. His character arc is complete. |
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Your turn!
By yourself, or with a partner, choose a feature film and break it down into its 3 act structure like above. Use screen captures to visualise each example.
Make sure you answer the following:
Make sure you answer the following:
- What exposition do we see in the opening?
- who is the protagonist and who/what is the antagonist?
- What is the inciting incident? What questions are raised?
- Is there a MacGuffin (something the protagonist wants?)
- What are the plot points? (moments that drive the narrative forward)
- What are the pinch points? (moments that challenge the protagonist)
- When does Act 2 begin? (the development/confrontation)
- When does the protagonist enter disequilibrium and do they get back to equilibrium?
- When does Act 3 begin? (the resolution)
- Is there a twist?
- How are the storylines and character concluded?
