Alternative Scriptwriting - Dancyger and Rush

The Restorative Three-Act Structure

Based on Aristotle's theory that stories have a beginning, middle and end. They are usually proportioned 1:2:1, so that the middle is the largest section. Each act rises up to a crisis or intensity. The resolution of this crisis leads to the next act. The plot point hooks the action and turns the story in another direction. The first act will introduce the set up for the storyline, the second act will have a confrontation with the characters and the third act will feature the resolution of the conflict. There's also a period of relaxation at the start of each act in order to break tension.

Character

The actions in the storyline should connect to the character. There should also be character development throughout the narrative. In the beginning, it should start with a simple character so that the audience gain an investment but also wonder. Story lines should focus on one central character. They could have an internal and external conflict, which would foreground the character's psychology. 

The first act:

The Point of No Return - The first act introduces the character to a situation they can't go back from. It should influence the character's subsequent actions and feelings,

False solution  - This seems to be a solution to the character's dilemma. However they will ultimately fail so that the plot can continue. The audience are led to believe that if they don't fail the story wouldn't cease. 

The second act:

Moving ahead of the character - In the second act, the character's are oblivious to their fate.

Act of consequence - In this part, the characters gain an insight to their problems. The audience are thus in sync with the characters, alleviating the burden of dramatic irony.

The third act

Recognition and restoration - The third act usually has an upbeat ending. The characters realise their failure and rise to overcome their conflict.

Tips for Three-Act Skeleton

• Write a paragraph for each act
• Write the whole story in one paragraph; a sentence for each act
• Summarise thematic movement in one sentence

• Build up each act to to the previous
• Don't give too much away in the first act
• Focus. Each act should develop the characters, provide texture, make the audience feel emotion (whether it be happy or sad). and move the plot towards resolving the tension
• The first act should push the story upward, the end of the second act should bring it back down
• Avoid a "one act story" where the narrative arc doesn't change
• Keep a consistent tone; i.e. don't switch from comedy to drama

The reading raises the point that it's difficult to follow this structure when retelling a real-life event. This is relevant to my own story creating, as there are so many points that could be referenced. This means I will probably have to go beyond the normal structure. Dancyger and Rush suggest that one should foreground the conflict between focus and confusion.