How To Use A Midpoint

A lot of writers struggle with the long Second Act of their screenplays. One way to help focus your Second Act is to use a Midpoint. In this video, I examine the function of a midpoint and how you can use it to build a strong turning point right in the center of your story.

Shoot me a DM!
Instagram: @mowery

#Screenwriting #Midpoint #HowToUseAMidPoint

[BehindtheCurtain]

Besides philosophical conflict, the midpoint is the biggest thing that I realized I hadn't been utilizing in my writing. Thanks for the video!

[purenuggets]

The Dark Knight - The joker gets caught.

[chaeyoungvideos]

best series about filmmaking on youtube

[Leto]

Jurassic Park
Before the Midpoint: characters were amazed by caged dinosaurs. This is reaction.
Midpoint: dinosaurs broke out.
After the Midpoint: characters were busy running away from dinosaurs. This is action.

[JunebugPresents]

I often think about the midpoint when I think about a new story idea. Parasite had the most obvious midpoint I have ever seen but it was also the best. I knew it was the previous nanny at the door because we were at the midpoint and now they would have to pay for getting what they wanted. Predictable to me but I loved every minute of it. And it affirmed my understanding of midpoint.

P.S.: Whoever disliked this video just isn't ready.

[ic]

Everything seems so easy when you start using the story circle.

[straps-of-skin]

My whole writing journey has just been finding that one random video that gives me a lightbulb moment that seems obvious in hindsight. This video was more than that for me. I had even done research into harmons circle before but still struggled with outlining my mid point. This video really helped me wrap my mind around the ideas i was struggling with for a while.

[tschohanfaitscher]

This pyramid is actually the normal drama structure we learn in school in germany, contrary to the 3 act structure. It is applied to the dramas of goethe, shakespeare etc.

[darryl]

Honestly, I've never struggled to write second acts. They've usually the easiest and best parts of my writing for me. Where others see the danger of getting unfocused, I see the opportunity to play around, brainstorm, select the best ideas, arrange them in the best order and write it. This has had great effects on my writing, but I'll take this piece of advice you just gave me.

[ronaldom]

I was writing a story a few months ago and one day I realized that the beginning wasn't good, then I turned my midpoint in my "break into 2". My Act 1 became amazing! But I found myself completely lost about the rest of the story. That day I understood how important the midpoint is. Now, it's the 3rd thing I define when I'm writing, right after the end and the beginning.

[jacksonhayes]

Keep up the good work, these videos are super helpful for me as I’m trying to become a better writer

[anthonypc]

3:33 Ah this explanation made better sense of the terms Rising and Falling for me, as just different directions on either side of a turning point.

I think this can seem counterintuitive at first because the story line going up to a central peak, and then sloping downward toward the dénouement, can be confused for the level of intensity, the conflict and stakes.
But obviously most stories won't have a gradually descending drama until a low energy conclusion. So having this other visual 1:30 of the story path being diverted in a surprising new trajectory makes more sense.
I think it helps for teaching to disassociate things like this from up & down language or visuals, if it's not supposed to be thought of as some sort of increase vs decrease or a hierarchy.

[Alannaki]

The shoot out in "Heat" is a perfect example. Or Sarah Conner breaking out of the mental word in Terminator 2 Judgement Day. Thank you for this video. I'm just passing the midpoint of my script.

[spencernielsen]

I think the Midpoint is the unsung hero of many great films. A common problem I had in my scripts before watching your content was “saving” the big turn for the end of Act II. This resulted in boring, dull, meandering second acts of hollow “character development.” Placing an important turn sooner gives the story more momentum, and challenges the writer to further develop characters, and themes, with how the conflict evolves.

The end of Act II should be about the characters grappling with the consequences of the midpoint.

[ark-L]

Great video! Kind of unfortunate that 3-Act structure is the dominant way of understanding story. It inherently obscures the importance of the midpoint by subsuming it within all the shenanigans of the 2nd act. I prefer the 4-Act structure, which basically splits the traditional 2nd Act in two at the Midpoint and thus, better conveys the way the story shifts at that key moment.

And then you can go more granular with things like the Harmon wheel - which is essentially 4-Act structure with each act further bisected into two halves. Really really really makes it all feel less dauting to have concrete targets to hit along the way. NOW GO WRITE!

[muzikmania]

so glad i came across this. i'm close to reaching the midpoint in my family drama feature. appreciate the refresher, Tyler.

[hansherrera]

need a watch party where you tell us while we watch on our on tv mid points and all the good stuff?would be cool

[esyfjeh]

Thanks from Russi. your lessons more infrom, then Russian cinemaschools !!!!
Meet you in Hollywood after 7 years. when i be there

[anthonypc]

This is great. I like your well organized lessons

even if it's not the first time I've heard certain points, it's useful to get a concise review that pulls together a bunch of lessons I may have gradually picked up piecemeal.
Thanks Tyler, keep it up :)

[DippedInInk]

Very good breakdown. So happy I’m not rushing my story.