The Three Act Structure
Commercial films and TV programmes tend to be built around a Three Act Structure. At the heart of the Three Act Structure is the idea of a beginning, middle and end. The Three Act structure states that the ending will always end well. The Three Act Structure was supposed by Syd Field who suggested that all initial screenplays of a film/TV programme follow this structure.
At the beginning of a thriller film, there is an equilibrium, where we are introduced to character's normal, everyday lives. There is then a disequilibrium where the character's 'normal' lives are interrupted and they are faced with a dilemma and situation (problem - something has to be solved and sorted/overcome). Finally, there is a new equilibrium where at the end of the film, the problem/situation has been solved and the characters return to their everyday, normal lives with the possible exception of a better life now that the problem harassing them has been eradicated.
The three acts inside the three act structure are: Act 1 - The Set Up, Act 2 - The Confrontation and Act 3 - The Resolution.
The Set Up
The Set Up is where all the vital information is provided. It will include introducing the main characters, the basic story line, location, style or genres of the film, present themes, set the rhythm and prepare the audience for the story to come. Normally within the set up period, a catalyst will be introduced that will change the situation presented. This catalyst will set things going. It could be a specific action (e.g. a murder). This catalyst will raise the central question of the story - a problem/situation that needs to be resolved.
The Confrontation
The Confrontation is typically the sequence where the protagonist attempts to overcome and solve the problem/dilemma presented by the catalyst during The Set Up. This typically leads them towards more dangerous and problematic situations. The reason that they get into worse situations is mainly because they haven't yet developed the right skills in order to defeat the antagonist when they come to confront them later on in the The Confrontation. Normally, they must train themselves and gain more knowledge of the antagonist in order for there to be a successful resolution at the end of the film. This is referred to as character development and the main protagonist is normally aided by his co-protaongists/professionals in order for them to overcome the problem and reach the disequilibrium. At the end of The Confrontation, the protagonist and antagonist are confronted by each other and the problem is then resolved. This is typically the protagonist defeating the antagonist.
The Resolution
The Resolution includes the story's resolution. The problem first casted throughout the film by the catalyst and then maintained by the antagonist has been eradicated and the protagonist(s) reach the penultimate conclusion of the story and return back to their normal, routined lifestyles which is first portrayed in The Set Up. Everything is back to normal.
At the beginning of a thriller film, there is an equilibrium, where we are introduced to character's normal, everyday lives. There is then a disequilibrium where the character's 'normal' lives are interrupted and they are faced with a dilemma and situation (problem - something has to be solved and sorted/overcome). Finally, there is a new equilibrium where at the end of the film, the problem/situation has been solved and the characters return to their everyday, normal lives with the possible exception of a better life now that the problem harassing them has been eradicated.
The three acts inside the three act structure are: Act 1 - The Set Up, Act 2 - The Confrontation and Act 3 - The Resolution.
The Set Up
The Set Up is where all the vital information is provided. It will include introducing the main characters, the basic story line, location, style or genres of the film, present themes, set the rhythm and prepare the audience for the story to come. Normally within the set up period, a catalyst will be introduced that will change the situation presented. This catalyst will set things going. It could be a specific action (e.g. a murder). This catalyst will raise the central question of the story - a problem/situation that needs to be resolved.
The Confrontation
The Confrontation is typically the sequence where the protagonist attempts to overcome and solve the problem/dilemma presented by the catalyst during The Set Up. This typically leads them towards more dangerous and problematic situations. The reason that they get into worse situations is mainly because they haven't yet developed the right skills in order to defeat the antagonist when they come to confront them later on in the The Confrontation. Normally, they must train themselves and gain more knowledge of the antagonist in order for there to be a successful resolution at the end of the film. This is referred to as character development and the main protagonist is normally aided by his co-protaongists/professionals in order for them to overcome the problem and reach the disequilibrium. At the end of The Confrontation, the protagonist and antagonist are confronted by each other and the problem is then resolved. This is typically the protagonist defeating the antagonist.
The Resolution
The Resolution includes the story's resolution. The problem first casted throughout the film by the catalyst and then maintained by the antagonist has been eradicated and the protagonist(s) reach the penultimate conclusion of the story and return back to their normal, routined lifestyles which is first portrayed in The Set Up. Everything is back to normal.
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