Developing Structure - Core Element Timeline

Core ElementCore Element Timeline Cheat SheetTimeline Cheat SheetCore ElementCore Element Timeline Cheat SheetTimeline Cheat Sheet

Midpoint Scene

ResolutionOpening Scene

l

Act II: Tier One Act II: Tier Two

h l

1st Plot Turing Point 2nd Plot Turning Point

Setup Movement to Resolution Thematic Gap Climax

ACT I ACT II ACT III

Core Screenplay Structure

90 Page Screenplay1) Setup: First 5 to 15 pages

120 Page Screenplay1) Setup: First 5 to 15 pages

Core Screenplay Structure

2) Inciting Incident: Occurs on page 5 to 153) Movement to Resolution: Runs approx. 30 pages4) 1st Plot Turning Point: Occurs on page 20 to 305) Midpoint Scene: Occurs around page 456) Thematic Gap: Runs approx 15 pages

2) Inciting Incident: Occurs on page 5 to 153) Movement to Resolution: Runs approx. 45 pages4) 1st Plot Turning Point: Occurs on page 25 to 305) Midpoint Scene: Occurs around page 606) Thematic Gap: Runs approx 30 pages6) Thematic Gap: Runs approx. 15 pages

7) 2nd Plot Turning Point: Occurs on page 60 to 708) Climax: Runs 15 to 25 pages9) Resolution: Runs 2 to 10 pages

6) Thematic Gap: Runs approx. 30 pages7) 2nd Plot Turning Point: Occurs on page 85 to 958) Climax: Runs 15 to 30 pages9) Resolution: Runs 2 to 10 pages

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Core ElementCore Element Timeline ActTimeline Act II

The Setup Inciting Incident

Core ElementCore Element Timeline Act Timeline Act IIOPENING SCENE

The SetupTypically runs 5 to 15 pages. Establishes WHO the story is about & WHAT the story is about. Important to also establish the foundation of the Main Subplot. Also important to identify the Personal

Inciting IncidentTypically occurs 5 to 15 pages into a screenplay. This is the initial interaction or “collision” between the main character and the Primary Situation. This scene or shortSubplot. Also important to identify the Personal

Goal.Primary Situation. This scene or short sequence functions as a “Call‐to‐Action” for the protagonist. Typically appears as one of three things: Problem, Opportunity or Desire.

Movement to Resolutionll h h l

First Plot‐Turning PointT i ll 25 30 i lTypically runs 25 to 45 pages. This is the initial

and specific course of action or steps the main character takes in order to resolve the Primary Situation

Typically occurs 25 to 30 pages into a screenplay. This scene or sequence launches Act II. This is the first MAJOR shift in a screenplay as well as the introduction of the Primary Obstacle. At this point one of three specific types of events takes place that becomes the main focus of Act II: Complicationbecomes the main focus of Act II: Complication, Failure or Journey.

ACT II


Core ElementCore Element Timeline Act IITimeline Act II

Act II: Tier One Midpoint Scene/Shift

FROM ACT ICore ElementCore Element Timeline Act IITimeline Act II

Act II: Tier OneTypically runs 10 to 30 pages. Main character continues Movement to Resolution while now dealing with the Primary Obstacle.

Midpoint Scene/ShiftTypically occurs near the middle of a screenplay. This is a critical scene or short sequence at which point the main character either “succeeds” or “fails” in their Movement‐either succeeds or fails in their Movementto‐Resolution. The key thing is that they have NOT resolved the Primary Situation.

Act II: Tier TwoTypically runs 10 to 30 pages. This is typically a series of scenes and short sequences that focus

Second Plot‐Turning PointTypically occurs 60 to 90 pages into a screenplay depending on the length of Act II This scene orseries of scenes and short sequences that focus

on the Subplots and the Thematic Gap. The Main Subplot is primarily expressed at this point. The Personal Goal and Theme get their main expression at this point in a screenplay.

depending on the length of Act II. This scene or sequence ends Act II and launches the final Act. This scene is often compared to the first Plot‐Turning Point and described as a “major shift” in the action (that is inaccurate). Rather this is the moment of clarity for the main character when they learn or y f yrealize EXACTLY what they need to do to resolve the Primary Situation.

ACT III


Core ElementCore Element Timeline Act IIITimeline Act IIIFROM ACT II

Core ElementCore Element Timeline Act IIITimeline Act III

ClimaxTypically runs 10 to 25 pages. This is the sequence in which the main character finally comes face‐to‐

ResolutionThis is typically a short scene or sequence that shows how things work out (or don’t) for thein which the main character finally comes face to

face with the Primary Situation and deals with it directly. Success or failure at this point means everything to the main character ‐ now that the Thematic Gap and subplots have played themselves out everything is on the line for the main character.

shows how things work out (or don t) for the main character now that Primary Situation has been overcome. Typically the focus of this portion of a screenplay is the Thematic Gap and subplots.

This is also where the antagonist (or main adversary) or antagonizing element truly flexes its muscles and tries to prevent the main character from over coming the Primary Situation.

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Developing Structure - Core Element Timeline

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