freytag's pyramid
1.1.1 ACT ONE (EXPOSITION / INTRODUCTION)In classical music, the Exposition is the part of the movement in which the principal themes are introduced. The same can be said for your script.
Not only are you introducing your main character in Act One and establishing the world in which the action takes place, but you must introduce any/all thematic elements that are going to resonate throughout the story and any problems or goals your main character is facing (i.e. the conflict). The trappings of power, the futility of vengeance, the fickle nature of love - all of these are classic examples of popular conflicts and themes, and must be established in some capacity before the action takes off.
For further details refer to Act One of the Three-Act structure in chapter 3.2.2.
1.1.2 ACT TWO (RISING ACTION)During the Rising Action, the basic conflict introduced in Act One is complicated by secondary conflicts and obstacles designed to keep our protagonist from reaching his or her goal, including lesser antagonists that can work together with or without the main antagonist.
You may already know that your main character is going to live happily ever after, but he’s going to have to work for it, and this is where it starts.
1.1.3 ACT THREE (CLIMAX)Also known as the "turning point" or “reversal” the Climax marks a notable change, for better or worse, in the protagonist's journey towards their goal. With tragedy, the main character begins the story on top of world before everything begins to unravel, while comedies generally do the opposite. Quite simply, this is where the bulk of the drama or action takes place.
1.1.4 ACT FOUR (FALLING ACTION)During the Falling Action, the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist finally comes to a head, and a clear winner and loser are determined. This Falling Action may also contain a final moment of suspense, in which one or more possible outcomes are in doubt until the Resolution.
1.1.5 ACT FIVE (DÉNOUMENT / RESOLUTION)The Dénoument or Resolution ties up all the loose ends and concludes the story. All of the conflicts are resolved, the characters return to normalcy, and the viewer experiences an emotional release (catharsis). In traditional comedies, the Dénoument leaves the main character better off than he started, while traditional tragedies end in a catastrophe which leaves the protagonist a shell of his former self.
Much like life, your story must be a rollercoaster ride of action and emotion. A good rule of thumb is: for every positive event your protagonist experiences, it must immediately be followed up by a negative event. This dissonance must begin in Act Two and reach a crescendo in Act Three, before the Falling Action and Dénoument resolve your story and restore order to the world.
Not only are you introducing your main character in Act One and establishing the world in which the action takes place, but you must introduce any/all thematic elements that are going to resonate throughout the story and any problems or goals your main character is facing (i.e. the conflict). The trappings of power, the futility of vengeance, the fickle nature of love - all of these are classic examples of popular conflicts and themes, and must be established in some capacity before the action takes off.
For further details refer to Act One of the Three-Act structure in chapter 3.2.2.
1.1.2 ACT TWO (RISING ACTION)During the Rising Action, the basic conflict introduced in Act One is complicated by secondary conflicts and obstacles designed to keep our protagonist from reaching his or her goal, including lesser antagonists that can work together with or without the main antagonist.
You may already know that your main character is going to live happily ever after, but he’s going to have to work for it, and this is where it starts.
1.1.3 ACT THREE (CLIMAX)Also known as the "turning point" or “reversal” the Climax marks a notable change, for better or worse, in the protagonist's journey towards their goal. With tragedy, the main character begins the story on top of world before everything begins to unravel, while comedies generally do the opposite. Quite simply, this is where the bulk of the drama or action takes place.
1.1.4 ACT FOUR (FALLING ACTION)During the Falling Action, the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist finally comes to a head, and a clear winner and loser are determined. This Falling Action may also contain a final moment of suspense, in which one or more possible outcomes are in doubt until the Resolution.
1.1.5 ACT FIVE (DÉNOUMENT / RESOLUTION)The Dénoument or Resolution ties up all the loose ends and concludes the story. All of the conflicts are resolved, the characters return to normalcy, and the viewer experiences an emotional release (catharsis). In traditional comedies, the Dénoument leaves the main character better off than he started, while traditional tragedies end in a catastrophe which leaves the protagonist a shell of his former self.
Much like life, your story must be a rollercoaster ride of action and emotion. A good rule of thumb is: for every positive event your protagonist experiences, it must immediately be followed up by a negative event. This dissonance must begin in Act Two and reach a crescendo in Act Three, before the Falling Action and Dénoument resolve your story and restore order to the world.