Three Act Structure Explained - The Secret to Telling a Great Story
Three Act Structure Explained - writer and story expert K.M. Weiland breaks down three-act structure and how it works using Jurassic Park.
What is the Three Act Structure? ►► bit.ly/wi-3a
Watch the Full Interview with K.M. Weiland ►► bit.ly/km-in
StudioBinder Blog ►► bit.ly/sb-bl
K.M. Weiland resources:
Helping Writers Become Authors (Blog) ►► bit.ly/km-bl
K.M Weilan (KZhead) ►► bit.ly/km-yo
Structuring Your Novel (Book) ►► bit.ly/km-sn
Writing Archetypal Character Arcs (New Book) ►► bit.ly/km-ac
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to the Three Act Structure
00:49 - Why the Three Act Structure Matters
03:24 - Part 1: The Hook
06:18 - Part 2: Inciting Event
08:16 - Part 3: 1st Plot Point
11:16 - Part 4: 1st Pinch Point
14:36 - Part 5: Midpoint
17:45 - Part 6: 2nd Pinch Point
20:11 - Part 7: 3rd Plot Point
22:54 - Part 8: Climax
25:56 - Takeaways
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THREE-ACT STRUCTURE EXPLAINED
If you’re a writer, hoping to be a writer or even a casual movie-goer, you’ve probably heard of three-act structure. More than simply “beginning, middle, and end,” three-act structure is dominant in Western storytelling. And in this video, we sat down with writer and story expert K.M. Weiland as she breaks down the eight parts of three-act structure, how they work, and what they aim to accomplish. To do this, Weiland dissects one of the best-structured movies of all time - Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, written by David Koepp based on a novel by Michael Crichton.
WHAT IS THREE-ACT STRUCTURE
While the concept of a three-act structure is fairly recent, stories have followed this pattern for centuries. Act One introduces us to the characters, their world, and the major conflict. Act Two sees the characters set out to resolve that conflict and attain whatever goals were established in the previous act. Act Three contains the final test or confrontation that will decide the outcome of this pursuit with either success, failure, or something in between. In a nutshell, this is the structure that most stories, novels, films, TV shows, or any other narrative medium follow.
DOES THREE-ACT STRUCTURE WORK?
Yes, it does, but not for every story. Shakespeare often constructed his plays in five acts. The three-act structure is ubiquitous in Western storytelling and, therefore, has, in some circles, garnered a negative reputation as being creatively restrictive. But as Weiland explains, story structure of any kind doesn’t preclude creativity - it is merely the container, and what is inside (the characters, the plot, the themes, etc.) is the real gift.
Learning three-act structure is a way to grasp the fundamentals of storytelling. That way, when bending or breaking those rules becomes necessary, it can be done without sabotaging a story’s chances of reaching and connecting with the audience.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"Fratres (Version for Cello & Piano)" - Avro Pärt
"A Battle in the East" - Rhythm Scott
"Last But Not Least (Instrumental)" - Chelsea McGough
"All Star" - ANBR
"Journey To The Island" - John Williams
"War Banner (Instrumental)" - Cody Martin
"Incident At Isla Nublar" - John Williams
"The Princess Appears" - John Williams
"Shining Star" - Earth, Wind & Fire
"The Hands Dealt" - Michael Giacchino
"Theme From Jurassic Park" - Michael Giacchino
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"Three Is Company" - Howard Shore
"Welcome To Jurassic Park" - John Williams
"British News Team" - Lance Conrad
"Glass" - Claudio Laucci
"T-Rex Rescue & Finale" - John Williams
"The Raptor Attack" - John Williams
"Crystal Clear (Instrumental)" - Tiko Tiko
"Dennis Steals The Embryo" - John Williams
"Terminal' - Stanley Gurvich
"Many Mothers" - Junkie XL
"High-Wire Stunts" - John Williams
"Merge" - Theatre of Delays
"Forrest Gump Suite" - Alan Silvestri
"State Lines (Instrumental)" - Aaron Kellim
Music by Artlist ► utm.io/umJx
Music by Artgrid ► utm.io/umJy
Music by Soundstripe ► bit.ly/2IXwomF
Music by MusicBed ► bit.ly/2Fnz9Zq
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Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Three Act Structure 00:49 - Why the Three Act Structure Matters 03:24 - Part 1: The Hook 06:18 - Part 2: Inciting Event 08:16 - Part 3: 1st Plot Point 11:16 - Part 4: 1st Pinch Point 14:36 - Part 5: Midpoint 17:45 - Part 6: 2nd Pinch Point 20:11 - Part 7: 3rd Plot Point 22:54 - Part 8: Climax 25:56 - Takeaways
give only one movie example.what that movie gives sence? if you give example of one movie then people will know 1,2,3point.
Oooooo😮
3:51 -Act 1: Don't necessarily immediantely immerse your audience. 14:00 -Act 2: Immediantely cause the plot to turn here. 22:21 -Act 3: Have immediant consequences, and (22:32) immediantely face characters with true antagonists.
The narrator has a truly outstandingly pleasant tone
❤❤
He sounds like Dumbledore
This is by far the most useful channel I have ever had the luck of crossing paths with. I have started using your website for writing and it’s so intuitive and easy to use too! Thank you for what you do and please don’t stop
No plans on stopping :)
Is this hisinbarg
Agreed.
@@StudioBinder You guys totality rock! Much respect!
i so agree with you
Studio Binder saving all independent filmmakers from spending thousands of dollar in film school. Thank you studio binder team for great effort.
Cheers!
Yet classes can be very, very helpful. Look to your nearest community college. Sacramento City has a very good film studies program. Your local school will probably will include hands-on instruction in using a camera, writing a screenplay, setting up lights, doing set dressing, acting, all of that. It's dirt cheap. The best? Meeting fellow filmmaking enthusiasts.
I love all the examples you show which support each point. This is far better than reading a textbook.
That's the goal!
Indeed ❤
I've heard of the 3 act structure for years and have always felt this holds a writer back. But now that I've written stories over the years I've found that giving your story a backbone is important and fuels creativity.
This is the evolution of a textbook
Yeah I think it’s best to use the video format when dissecting video film. It just makes more sense.
Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".❤
🔥🔥
For me a magic trick is a lie perfectly covered by words, looking at the words one can see the naked lie.
I've stued 3 acts for years, yet K.M. Weiland brings so much more to explaining the structure. Great job!
yes. she's clear and willing to admit if she didn't know something in the past-- and she shares updates. talks about things I haven't seen anywhere else.
Writing a good story is so much complex than it looks, that's why we should fully support the writers guild strikes !
A film always starts with a script 💯
AI is designed for such a formula, sadly.
@@scottslotterbeck3796 Not at all. AI is trained to follow formulas, sure, but especially something like story structure is deceptively easy to train an AI for. Have you ever asked ChatGPT 4 to tell you a story? Specifically, to follow the Three Act story structure? (or any other story structure) You'll get a story all right. It will amaze you because it's written by a bot, and your expectations were low... but you wouldn't vote for it to win the Hugo or Nebula award this year. The magic of human storytelling goes much deeper than AI can ever reach because AI doesn't really understand the concepts it is using. Writers will never be replaced by AI ...although writers will need to learn to use AI as a tool, wisely (i.e. both effectively and ethically). (Even a bad human-only story is bad in different ways from a bad purely-AI-written story, and the differences are fascinating... and encouraging, if you're a human! We can improve our storytelling skills, but an LLM-based AI can't improve its understanding of real human experience, only the abstractions of our experience)
And was this AI reviewed or pure writer guild writing? I thought it was mostly a way to bring cool scenes together, by the Jurassic Park generation, with a touch of wordy AI confuzelment.
This was the best 3 act structure explanation I've ever seen. Well done.
The point about a three act structure not being limiting is really brought home in a movie like Parasite, where the midpoint is a seemingly complete change of direction and tone. The first half of the movie establishes character and theme and puts our "heroes" on a particular path. All of that is then tested and perfected by the discovery of the secret room and what happens after that. The thematic structure of the film is entirely consistent throughout, however.
Exactly, the creativity comes from the story!
StudioBinder x K.M. Weiland is the team-up I never knew I needed
Hope it helps!
Wow .. K.M. Weiland ingeniously opens-up an entire World of New Dimensions to the Three Act Structure. .. Must watch for all Writers !
Wow! I am a writer and Im constantly looking for ways to improve my writing and your channel is really one of the few that is absolutely amazing. So much quality content! Thank you!
OMFG K.M.Weiland! I learnt so much of everything I know on storytelling through her books!
She's great!
Weiland speaks so well. Her voice is very calm, soft, and easy to listen to. Her speech is clear, informative and to the point. She’s happy, looks nice, and her hair looks great. And the Studio Binder narrator is as awesome as always. So glad to have him and his unique voice.
We were thrilled to have her on!
Yes, the narrator is far better than AI can come up with. So far.
Who cares about Weiland's hair or Weiland's look? Weiland is here to teach, not to amuse.
@@guru6831 Well, he's got a point. It's easier to listen to someone with a pleasant voice and appearance than someone who is hard on the eyes and the ears. I've come across some particularly hard to look at, and hard to listen to, people on KZhead offering information, but I just couldn't stand to either look at them or l;isten to their shrill voices.
@@guru6831 Singles out the one thing they care about most and asks "who cares" about it 😭💀. Thanks for the laugh Guru.
Jurassic Park was my favorite movie of all time since I first saw it on the screen in 1993, and I couldn’t even verbalize in the best way. That scene where we first encounter the dinosaur, “honest” was the perfect description for how great it was as a scene. Loved it.
Peak cinema!
The best notifications come from StudioBinder, never disappoint.
we hope so!
This was incredibly helpful. I am writing a stage play right now. I had the general idea but now I have a clear picture of how each scene will play out. Thank you!
Your videos are beyond well-done, but what I truly adore is the value the videos might add to the creator community. So many artists are publishing their creations without the knowledge which refines their products. Man we all need to stay educated and keep raising our bars. You are offering tools to possibly prevent a major cultural backslide as far as media is concerned. You are appreciated and thank you!
So happy to see my favorite writing blogger partnered with one of my favorite film KZheadrs!
Enjoy!
This is a million view video. I rewound and watched and took meticulous notes. It’s a master class and can be applied to any field like a template if understood correctly. Great job by the fellas who made this video.
I have been using this channel religiously... Their explanations and visual exampls are the best.. I watch bunch of channels likes this and studio binder is simply the best.. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Happy to help ;)
remarkable video, this is not just content, this is education, its power. It's invaluable. thank you :)
The gift box analogy is fantastic.
Right? She's the best
@2:07 love this. Story and narrative is a means to an end. That end being some catharsis or emotional payoff. We making it out the frying pan with this one
haha we hope so!
This is SO good. Thank you for putting the time into bringing such insightful content 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I am very inspired. It's a True Audiovisual Encyclopedia about the Three Act Structure. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. All the Best Continuation.💯💯
Glad you liked it!
I love this channel so much. Thank you for all your hard work.
Thanx for another short refresher course in writing. No matter how many times I learn about story structure it never gets old.
Yeah, but damn it's hard to write well!
It's the bones of our stories!
@@scottslotterbeck3796 Writing a screenplay for me isn't difficult. It's convincing the powers that be in the South Africa film landscape that my writing is better than most 'cause they tend to overlook quality writing in favour of mediocrity. It's happened to me more than once.
Yes! Thank you for having K.M. Weiland on the channel. She is brilliant. I couldn't believe my eyes at first when I saw that she was collaborating with y'all on this video.
Thank you for this video, StudioBinder. Such great tips!
YES! Man I've said this and I'll do it again, I'm in love with your narrative videos, and awestruck as to how all of this can be compared and observed in real life. After all, stories are meant to reflect and ponder upon the human experience innit? Thank you StudioBinder Team for your awesome work as always!
Glad you liked it!
I hadnt seen Jurassic Park in so many years!! Once I realized how this video would breakdown and use examples to drive home the points...I left the vid...went and re-watched the movie...and tuned back in!!! What a wonderful collaboration and breakdown. Well done!!
We always seen the narrator referring her (K.M.Weiland) as a writing gru. Now the gru herself is teaching us. Studio binder gets perfect to perfectionist every week. ❤❤❤
Hope you liked it!
@@StudioBinder I loved it 💖
K.M. Weiland is the best. Thank you for this video!
Beautifully done and easy to understand.
Thanks for watching!
KM Weiland is simply without parallel.
💯💯
Thank you for this lecture. The most detailed explanation on YT so far.
Chapter 1 - Three-Act Structure in Screenwriting • The three-act structure is a framework used in storytelling, primarily focused on shaping a writers plot. • Act one is the first 25% of the film, act two is the next 50%, and act three is last 25%. • Not every film follows this structure, and those that do can follow it in different ways. • Following the structure doesnt limit creativity; it provides a framework for creating a resonant psychological transformation. • Story structure is like a gift box - the structure is the same, but the possibilities for the story inside are endless. • Jurassic Park is an example of a film that balances plot well within the three-act structure. • The three-act structure can be further broken down into eight parts, starting with the hook. • The hook is the opening of the film that grabs the audiences attention and makes them ask questions. • The inciting event happens about % into the film and sets the narrative in motion. • The first plot point occurs about 25% into the film and marks a point of no return for the protagonist. • The beginning of the second act is the protagonists reaction to the first plot point. • The first pinch point occurs around 37% into the story and emphasizes the antagonistic force. • These points are turning points that move the plot forward and present obstacles for the protagonist. Chapter 2 - Heading Summary of Key Plot Points in Films • The first pinch point sets up the midpoint and reveals the true conflict in the story. • In Jurassic Park, the first pinch point occurs when the tour is cut short by an impending storm, foreshadowing the catastrophe that will happen at the midpoint. • The midpoint is a major turning point in the story where the protagonists perspective on the plot conflict changes and they become more proactive. • The T-Rex escape in Park is an iconic midpoint that forces the characters into proactive survival mode The second pinch point emphasizes the antagonistic force and sets up the false victory low moment in the third act. • In Iron Man, the second pinch point occurs when Tony realizes he has been betrayed by Obadiah and is pushed out of his own company. • Nedrys death in Jurassic Park is a significant second pinch point that foreshadows the stakes for the other characters and amps up the tension for the third act. • The third plot point is a false victory followed by a low moment, where the character throws all their resources at the plot goal but faces higher costs than expected. • In Mad Max Fury Road, the third plot point occurs when Furiosa discovers the green place has been destroyed, a devastating blow after her search for it throughout the film. • In Jurassic Park, the third plot point occurs when Ellie back on the power, leading immediate consequences and a confrontation with the intelligent Raptors. • The climax is the ultimate culmination the story and usually occurs within the final 10% of the film, where the protagonist confronts the antagonistic force in a final showdown Chapter 3 - Climactic Moments in Films • The climactic moment is the deciding moment in the story that determines whether the protagonist will achieve their goal or not. • Sarah Connors climactic battle with the Terminator in The Terminator completes her transformation from an unassuming citizen to the hero of human civilization. • In Forrest Gump, Jennys death is the climax, but the film ends with Forrest taking care of their child, adding some happiness to the otherwise sad ending. • In Jurassic Park, the climax is the battle with the Raptors, which represents the logical conclusion of the story and emphasizes that humans have no control over nature. • The climax in Jurassic Park also completes Alans character arc as he and Ellie save the children from the Raptors. • The resolution after the climax in Jurassic Park shows Alans character growth and emphasizes that the characters have escaped. • Hollywood films can be broken down into a specific story outline, but they still contain originality through fully great characters. • Structure provides a framework on which different types of characters and stories can be built. • -Studio Binder offers screenwriting software to help writers start their next great film. • Remember to take writing one story beat at a time.
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Great video! Happy to see the OG narrator is still around!
Thx you for great examples to your explanation, it's make it much more easier to understand ✨
Excellent. I've read dozens of sources about story structure, but this one is particularly uplifting, inspirational, and actionable. Thank you. I feel like going out and saving a cat.
LOL.
Glad you liked it!
This is an amazing video, so well done. Ahora me voy a tomar el atrevimiento de escribir en español porque soy muy malo en el inglés😂 pero de verdad que este canal me ayuda muchísimo para dar el salto de autor a escritor de películas, soy venezolano y en mi país es muy difícil tener éxito en este campo pero seguiré teniendo mi fe puesta en mi talento. Nuevamente gracias por este video y muchos éxitos
Perfect explanation and a demonstration with perfect examples that we all are familiar with 👏
very clear and crisp 👍
Another banger, keep up the good work
I need a video on schilders list how did they get such a great emotion in the movie? It touched my heart Its cinematography and its directorial work how they are that 100%perfect?
thanks for the suggestion!
Besides everything else, I would like to point out the excellent sound design of your video. My favourite soundtracks come in just the right moments. It may be a coincidence, it probably is not, but you're indirectly teaching not only about structure, but about leitmotifs as well. When Sam was leaving the Shire, I had goosebumps all over, even on my scalp! I'm very curious to learn about different kinds of structuring a film. Many times I find myself annoyed or bored, when everything is going great for the heroes up to around 2 thirds of the movie, then suddenly an entirely artificial argument has to be implemented between them, so that they argue, separate, and then reconcile at the climax. Also, not every story has a villain or a problem that has to be overcome. Some stories are just... stories. "Happenings" that are there to make you laugh, think, or to prove a point. That being said, I think it's important to learn and know the 3-act structure well before learning about others, since I feel it's a bit of a cornerstone in storytelling. Also, I noticed that you've made your video in the ways of the 3-Act Structure, which I think is great. You're subtly revealing another rule of filmmaking: "Show, don't tell." But you're also telling, so... the more I analyze your video, the better it gets. Absolutely awesome! Thank you very much for making this! :)
You guys ALWAYS hit the mark! Thanks you!
One of my favorite channels on KZhead has just posted one of the most important videos I've ever seen! 🔥🔥🔥 Great work! Always inspired.
happy writing!
This is the structure I think has helped me the most, and your explanation has helped even more!
I was lost, and now I can see.... THANK YOU SO MUCH. This answered all my questions.
I've been studying K.M. Weiland for several years. Her work is excellent.
As a visual person myself this has helped expain the 3 act story structure better THX💖
Thanks for your team's useful contributions...
Happy to :)
This was...an outstanding video. It's the clearest breakdown I've heard and I could visualize myself walking through my own developing story.
Such an awesome video / short documentation. Thank you again @studiobinder Love goes out!
Thanks for watching!
This is one of the BEST and MOST HELFUL videos you've made in my humble opinion. So grateful. THANK YOU!
Glad you liked it!
So much love for jurassic park haha. Very well deserved. Great video as usual, also your website is awesome too. Something I wanted to mention, it's worth noting that in a sequal film the first act is usually easier because the exposition is more about portraying the stakes and less of introducing the characters. One of the recent problems in my opinion in movies is the duration of the movie is either too short or too long, it might seem a little petty but sometimes it's a big problem either for concluding a story or for stretching it too long. Also a suggestion, maybe consider making a follow up video about movies that succeeded without this more common structure. 😊
thank you so much we really appreciate this channel ❤❤❤
Thank you Studio Binder.
This was so helpful! Thank you!
Your knowledge on films is invaluable. Sharing is caring! Thank you
Cheers!
Thank you for this video
Valuable insights for both aspiring and expert writers.
Brilliant use of the 3 act structure in this video ❤ "A dream within a dream, Mr. Cobb."
Thank you so much for this video…this will change the way we watch films from here onwards 😍♥️
Thank you for sharing this. It clarifies a lot. 🙏🙂
Im not a screenwriter or filmmaker. I'm just a regular ol' author and artist, but this channel has been such a huge help in my writing process :) love you guys
Wow, you really got Weiland to come, amazing!
Yeah she was great!
Yeah, she is great. Imagine having her as an instructor...
Thank you for your amazing work you're doing! If it's possible, could you tell more about act structures in different tv-series or episodes, or web-series? I think in episodes like "stranger things" or "Dark", there're not only 3 act structure but someething more complicated or as you told here in this video: an altered 3 act structure.
Thank you for your work! Amazing!
I've watched this video three times now. It's just done so well. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
For this video I finally figured out my screenplays plot holes. Thanks man
Thank you sooo much. I've been waiting for this video
Enjoy!
What a channel. I have had some classes about storytelling and i've almost learned nothing that i didnt already learn over here!
Happy to help :)
❤️❤️ excited for every episode ...
Thanks for watching!
Love this explanation! Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Awesome work as always! Can you do a video on 5-act structure too?
we might!
This video is a gold mine.
I learned so much i was checking the bioxes as i went along and it really made me understand my third act
This takeaways are great details or crash course against the so many content and books about 3 act structure. Thank you @studiobinder
Hope it helps :)
as well as being informative this video also makes me really want to watch Jurassic park again
Great refresher for me. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
In its the right time, thanks a lot ♥
this is gold, i would pay for this
K.M. Weiland is the best! 🌹
Phenomenal explanations. Thank you cannot begin to explain how thaknful I am about information, but thank you anyways.
My clients are loving how i write the scripts using the three act structure and that's because of you guys
WOW! What a great lesson!!! Thanks
I'm not a writer, I'm a programmer, but I'm fascinated by writing but never seen anyone spell out the 3 Act Structure like everyone should know. Perhaps all writers should but have to say it's obvious some appropriate it more than others. Thank you for answers on this topic
It's really funny, this video made me think of movies where I've been thinking : "Oh something important has just happened and will impact the characters for the rest of the movie, I should be at the mid of the movie" and it was right ! Your videos made us think again of every movies that we've watched Thanks of lot for your work !
You developing your storytelling instincts 🔥
KM Weiland's Writing Archetypal Character Arcs guide book really provides a great new perspective on understanding fiction. I highly recommend!
👍👍
I saw that book cover and realized I own a copy!
Thank you for another great video about filmmaking. And perfect timing, since I just saw Jurassic Park over the weekend with a live orchestral score 😁
That sounds amazing
This is so great. Thank u very m...
This is the most useful video of the most useful channel ever. Thank you!
🙏🙏
Your inputs are always enriching and helps grow many of us in our skills.... Thank you so so much....
Happy to :)
Thank you its so helpful
Excellent. Keep going
This video is perfect!
I always become inspired by your fabulous videos Wish the best😍😍😍
Cheers!