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.

K.M. Weiland resources:

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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

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[StudioBinder]

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

[rowanliggett]

The narrator has a truly outstandingly pleasant tone

[thisissaurav_]

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".❤

[manosmehedee]

Studio Binder saving all independent filmmakers from spending thousands of dollar in film school.
Thank you studio binder team for great effort.

[Walter-Shite]

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

[AScreenwritersJourney]

I love all the examples you show which support each point. This is far better than reading a textbook.

[Bobywan]

Writing a good story is so much complex than it looks, that's why we should fully support the writers guild strikes !

[stephenwilliams]

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.

[michaeljarvis]

I've stued 3 acts for years, yet K.M. Weiland brings so much more to explaining the structure. Great job!

[creator_yo]

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.

[quickpackstudios]

Unfortunately most of Hollywood today does not care too much about creating amazing stories anymore for fans. Nonetheless amazing video like always!

[danielcrow]

OMFG K.M.Weiland! I learnt so much of everything I know on storytelling through her books!

[MysteryFinery]

Chapter 1 - Three-Act Structure in Screenwriting
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The three-act structure is a framework used in storytelling, primarily focused on shaping a writers plot.
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Act one is the first 25% of the film, act two is the next 50%, and act three is last 25%.
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Not every film follows this structure, and those that do can follow it in different ways.
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Following the structure doesnt limit creativity; it provides a framework for creating a resonant psychological transformation.
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Story structure is like a gift box - the structure is the same, but the possibilities for the story inside are endless.
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Jurassic Park is an example of a film that balances plot well within the three-act structure.
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The three-act structure can be further broken down into eight parts, starting with the hook.
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The hook is the opening of the film that grabs the audiences attention and makes them ask questions.
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The inciting event happens about % into the film and sets the narrative in motion.
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The first plot point occurs about 25% into the film and marks a point of no return for the protagonist.
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The beginning of the second act is the protagonists reaction to the first plot point.
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The first pinch point occurs around 37% into the story and emphasizes the antagonistic force.
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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
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The first pinch point sets up the midpoint and reveals the true conflict in the story.
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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.
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The midpoint is a major turning point in the story where the protagonists perspective on the plot conflict changes and they become more proactive.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In Jurassic Park, the third plot point occurs when Ellie back on the power, leading immediate consequences and a confrontation with the intelligent Raptors.
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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
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The climactic moment is the deciding moment in the story that determines whether the protagonist will achieve their goal or not.
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Sarah Connors climactic battle with the Terminator in The Terminator completes her transformation from an unassuming citizen to the hero of human civilization.
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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.
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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.
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The climax in Jurassic Park also completes Alans character arc as he and Ellie save the children from the Raptors.
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The resolution after the climax in Jurassic Park shows Alans character growth and emphasizes that the characters have escaped.
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Hollywood films can be broken down into a specific story outline, but they still contain originality through fully great characters.
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Structure provides a framework on which different types of characters and stories can be built.
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-Studio Binder offers screenwriting software to help writers start their next great film.
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Remember to take writing one story beat at a time.

[rohailkhan]

Wow .. K.M. Weiland ingeniously opens-up an entire World of New Dimensions to the Three Act Structure. .. Must watch for all Writers !

[Vladyyy]

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.

[jjbenavidez]

@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

[MagneticDonut]

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!

[TheStoryBlueprint]

StudioBinder x K.M. Weiland is the team-up I never knew I needed

[mrmohantyexperiments]

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.

[RT-cwhh]

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.