Join Mark Tapio Kines for an in-depth discussion in this video The second plot thickener: The crisis, part of Learning Screenwriting.
I know it feels like we're burning through Act 2, and you might be thinking, …wait, this is a long act, how can I really make it exciting with just four major twists, even if there's …a bunch of scenes in between? …Won't there be a lot of downtime between those twists? …It's a fair concern, and it's why a lot of screenwriters fill those gaps with lengthy bouts of dialogue. …But the truth is, once you have set up everything in Act 1, the substance of Act 2 is elementary. …Your protagonist is trying to accomplish their story desire but there's a big pile of obstacles in the way. …That means every page of your second act is about your protagonist trying to conquer an …obstacle, coming across a new obstacle, or very briefly celebrating their victory over the previous obstacle. …If you want a good example of how full a second act can be, look at Back to the Future. …The movie's first act is kind of unusual, since it's mostly just exposition, but we …need that time to get to know Marty McFly and all the people in his life. …
Author
Released
3/8/2013- Finding the drama in your story idea
- Structuring your story into three acts
- Defining your protagonist's short-term and long-term goals
- Creating obstacles for your characters
- Understanding the importance of suspense
- Timing your plot twists
- Formatting your script
- Registering for a copyright
Skill Level Appropriate for all
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 46s
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Overview of the course2m 41s
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1. You've Got an Idea, Now What?
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Think like a screenwriter2m 33s
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Basic character construction3m 34s
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Overcoming defensiveness2m 28s
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2. Laying the Foundations for Your Story
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The three-act structure4m 8s
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Locating your plot twists2m 59s
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3. Act One: The Buildup
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Introducing your protagonist4m 58s
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Superpowers and kryptonite4m 59s
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Your characters's desires4m 24s
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4. Act Two: The Adventure
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Why adventure?4m 28s
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The need for obstacles4m 22s
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The halfway point2m 55s
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5. Act Three: The Resolution
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How should act three open?2m 57s
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6. Screenplay Fundamentals
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Screenplay page layout5m 4s
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Advanced formatting tips3m 37s
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7. Clearing the Legal Hurdles
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Adapting existing work2m 48s
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Working with a cowriter1m 12s
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Being a work for hire1m 21s
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Registering for a copyright3m 26s
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Conclusion
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Goodbye1m 9s
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Video: The second plot thickener: The crisis