With one click
Export a perfectly formatted traditional script.
Screenplay structure is the backbone of any successful film, serving as the blueprint that guides the narrative from start to finish. At its core, screenplay structure organizes the story into a coherent and engaging sequence of events, ensuring that each scene builds upon the last to create a compelling journey for the audience. Among the various structure tools used to understand and teach screenplay structure, the classic three-act structure, Blake Snyder's "Save the Cat," and Syd Field's paradigms stand out as foundational elements in the craft of screenwriting.
Before diving into the examples of some of the most commonly used structures, it is important to understand why screenwriters should look at well-used structures and how they can create a unique story because of them.
I find cooking to be a great analogy to writing a screenplay. When you first learn to cook you will use a recipe. That recipe will give you the exact ingredients and step-by-step structure of the dish. Most recipes are designed to be, in essence, universally appealing, and because of that, they may lack flavors or tastes that you enjoy. However, after you have learned the recipe backbone, you can begin to add your own flavors to it, maybe you take elements of the recipe out and put your own in. You create a dish that is uniquely yours - to do that, you first need to know the basic structure of the recipe.
Screenplay Structure Examples
Three-Act Structure
The three-act structure divides the screenplay into three distinct parts: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. In the first act, the story and characters are introduced, setting the stage for the drama to unfold. This act establishes the main characters, their goals, and the obstacles they face. The second act, often referred to as the "rising action," is where the protagonist encounters a series of challenges that test their resolve and push the story towards its climax. The third and final act brings the story to a close, resolving the central conflict and answering the key questions raised throughout the narrative. This structure, rooted in Aristotle's poetics, provides a simple yet effective framework for storytelling, ensuring a satisfying narrative arc.
Syd Field's Paradigm
Syd Field's paradigm emphasizes the importance of plot points — significant events that propel the story forward. According to Field, a well-structured screenplay consists of three acts, with two key plot points dividing them. The first plot point occurs at the end of Act One, thrusting the protagonist into a new direction, while the second plot point at the end of Act Two leads into the final resolution. Field's approach highlights the dynamic nature of storytelling, where each act flows seamlessly into the next, driven by the protagonist's journey and the evolving narrative stakes.
"Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder
"Save the Cat" by Blake Snyder offers a more detailed approach to screenplay structure, breaking the story down into 15 beats that outline key moments in the narrative. This method goes beyond the basic three-act structure to offer specific milestones that a screenplay should hit, such as the "Opening Image," "Theme Stated," and the "All Is Lost" moment. Snyder's beat sheet provides a roadmap for screenwriters, ensuring that the story maintains momentum and keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end. The titular "Save the Cat" moment, where the hero does something endearing to win the audience's empathy, underscores the importance of character development within the structural framework.
Understand and learn the basics so that you can create something unique to your tastes and flavors.
Tyler is seasoned film and media professional with over 20 years of diverse experience, specializing in production management and creative direction, with a rich portfolio spanning music videos, films, and documentaries, and a global network from the US to Sweden. Reach him on his website, LinkedIn, and X, and gain access to his free filmmaking templates when you sign up for his newsletter here.
You may also be interested in...
Acts, Scenes, and Sequences - How Long Should Each Be in a Traditional Screenplay?
If I had to name my favorite adage, it’s that rules are for breaking (most of them - speed limits are exempt!), but you must know the rules before you can break them. So, keep that in mind as you read through what I’d call “guidelines” to the timing of acts, scenes, and sequences in a screenplay. There’s a good reason for these guidelines, though (just like speed limits 😊) so don’t stray too far off the mark or you might pay for it later. Let’s start from the top. A 90-110-page screenplay is standard and produces an hour and a half to two-hour long film. TV networks may prefer an hour and a half because they can...
Breaking Down 3 Act and 5 Act Structures in a Traditional Screenplay
So you have a story, and you love it! You’ve got characters that are just like real people, you know all the beats and plot points inside and out, and you’ve got a distinct mood and tone in mind. Now how do you structure the dang thing? Well, sometimes I find myself wondering that too! How many acts should my script be? What are the merits of using one structure versus another? Here are some things I consider when I want to decide between a three-act versus a five-act structure for a screenplay. What a 3 act structure looks like: Act 1: The setup, we get introduced to what’s going on, the inciting...
Examples of Screenplay Elements
When you first start screenwriting, you’re eager to go! You’ve got a great idea, and you can’t wait to type it up. In the beginning, it can be hard to get the hang of how different aspects of a traditional screenplay should look. So, here are five script writing examples for key parts of a traditional screenplay! Title page: Your title page should have as minimal info as possible. You don’t want it to look too cluttered. You should be sure to include the TITLE (in all caps), followed by “Written by” on the next line, followed by the writer’s name below that, and contact info on the lower left-hand corner. It should ...