Defining Three Act Structure in Screenplays

Story Design in Stage and Screen Writing

Sep 3, 2008 Peter Reeves

A look at what is meant by "three act structure" in screen and stage play writing.

The simplest definition of three act structure would beginning/middle/end. No story exists without these three key elements. In screen and stage play writing these simple definitions can be further developed to what we now call

  • The Set Up (act 1)
  • The Confrontation (act 2)
  • The Resolution (act 3)

Set-up in a Screenplay

The Set Up contains the exposition of the Story and literally sets up what is to follow. The Set Up shows the audience the who, what and where’s of the story.

The set up is the “once upon a time” part of the story. It lets the audience settle in before all the action starts.

Confrontation in a Screenplay

The confrontation section of the screenplay is the bulk of the screenplay. It is where it all happens. This is when a character or characters have to try and rectify their situation. In “The Shawshank Redemption” the confrontation is Andy trying to get through his prison life whist (secretly) planning his escape.

The confrontation is best put as the section where your character and characters try to get what they want. Of course they are beset with obstacles and problems along the way. Otherwise there is no story. This is because all stories can only move forward through conflict.

For more information on conflict and story movement please read the article Conflict in Screenwriting

Resolution in a Screenplay

The resolution section of a script that resolves the central question that your script has posed i.e does your character get what he wants, does good triumph over evil, does Bruce Willis destroy the asteroid. The resolution is the answer to this question.

Whilst the resolution generally (if the script is written in a linear fashion) is at the end section of the film it is not the end. The resolution can take up to thirty minutes. It is not the last page of a a screenplay.

How Long is Each Act in a Screenplay?

Although each film is different the writer (if writing a script that lasts approximately two hours) should divide their screenplay like this,

  • Act 1 (Set Up) 30 minutes approx
  • Act 2 (Confrontation) 60 minutes approx
  • Act 3 (Resolution) 30 minutes approx

It should be noted, however, that as screenwriting and filmmaking has evolved these standard divisions have begun to change. For instance Act 1 in modern films has generally become shorter and Act 2 has become longer.

For more articles on writing for the stage/screen please visit the writing for stage/screen homepage. Where there are many more useful articles including An Introduction to Screenwriting Books and What is an Inciting incident in a Screenplay?

The copyright of the article Defining Three Act Structure in Screenplays in Writing for Stage/Screen is owned by Peter Reeves. Permission to republish Defining Three Act Structure in Screenplays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
What do you think about this article?
NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.
post your comment
What is 0+1?