Syd field screen writing paradigm
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The document outlines Syd Field's paradigm for screenplay structure. It divides a screenplay into 3 acts that make up 100% of the story - Act 1 (25%), Act 2 (50%), and Act 3 (25%). Each act serves a specific purpose in the story. Act 1 establishes the world, characters, and their relationships. Act 2 introduces the conflict. Plot points spin the story in a new direction between the acts. Act 3 resolves the conflict, with the character succeeding or failing to achieve their goal. The structure follows a setup of the world and characters, departure from their normal situation, struggle against obstacles, overcoming obstacles, and return home with resolution.
Syd field screen writing paradigm
- 2. Paradigm Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Beginning Middle End 25% 50% 25% Plot Point 1 Set-up Plot Point 2 Confrontation Resolution
- 3. Act 1 ? Establish the World ? Establish the Characters ? Establish the relationship between characters ? Who are they and what do they do?
- 4. Act 2 ? What is the conflict? ? Is it Internal? External? Emotional, Physical? ? What happens to stop our character? ? What obstacles go they overcome?
- 5. Act 3 ? What is the solution for the character? ? Do they succeed? ? Do they Fail? ? What is the solution of the story?
- 6. Plot Point ? An event that hooks into action and spins it around in a new direction. ? How we get from Beginning to middle and middle to end?
- 7. Setup World (Home) Beginning Establish Characters Plot point Leaving Home Middle Struggling with Obstacle Plot point Overcoming Obstacle End Character reaches goal Characters return Home
- 8. Further Reading ? The Heroes Journey ? Syd Field Paradigm ? Story