Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Three Act Structure 00:49 - Why the Three Act Structure Matters 03:24 - Part 1: The Hook 06:18 - Part 2: Inciting Event 08:16 - Part 3: 1st Plot Point 11:16 - Part 4: 1st Pinch Point 14:36 - Part 5: Midpoint 17:45 - Part 6: 2nd Pinch Point 20:11 - Part 7: 3rd Plot Point 22:54 - Part 8: Climax 25:56 - Takeaways

The narrator has a truly outstandingly pleasant tone

This is by far the most useful channel I have ever had the luck of crossing paths with. I have started using your website for writing and it’s so intuitive and easy to use too! Thank you for what you do and please don’t stop

I love all the examples you show which support each point. This is far better than reading a textbook.

Studio Binder saving all independent filmmakers from spending thousands of dollar in film school. Thank you studio binder team for great effort.

Writing a good story is so much complex than it looks, that's why we should fully support the writers guild strikes !

Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".❤

The point about a three act structure not being limiting is really brought home in a movie like Parasite, where the midpoint is a seemingly complete change of direction and tone. The first half of the movie establishes character and theme and puts our "heroes" on a particular path. All of that is then tested and perfected by the discovery of the secret room and what happens after that. The thematic structure of the film is entirely consistent throughout, however.

I've stued 3 acts for years, yet K.M. Weiland brings so much more to explaining the structure. Great job!

Wow .. K.M. Weiland ingeniously opens-up an entire World of New Dimensions to the Three Act Structure. .. Must watch for all Writers !

StudioBinder x K.M. Weiland is the team-up I never knew I needed

Jurassic Park was my favorite movie of all time since I first saw it on the screen in 1993, and I couldn’t even verbalize in the best way. That scene where we first encounter the dinosaur, “honest” was the perfect description for how great it was as a scene. Loved it.

Weiland speaks so well. Her voice is very calm, soft, and easy to listen to. Her speech is clear, informative and to the point. She’s happy, looks nice, and her hair looks great. And the Studio Binder narrator is as awesome as always. So glad to have him and his unique voice.

OMFG K.M.Weiland! I learnt so much of everything I know on storytelling through her books!

@2:07 love this. Story and narrative is a means to an end. That end being some catharsis or emotional payoff. We making it out the frying pan with this one

The best notifications come from StudioBinder, never disappoint.

The gift box analogy is fantastic.

I have been using this channel religiously... Their explanations and visual exampls are the best.. I watch bunch of channels likes this and studio binder is simply the best.. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

Chapter 1 - Three-Act Structure in Screenwriting • The three-act structure is a framework used in storytelling, primarily focused on shaping a writers plot. • Act one is the first 25% of the film, act two is the next 50%, and act three is last 25%. • Not every film follows this structure, and those that do can follow it in different ways. • Following the structure doesnt limit creativity; it provides a framework for creating a resonant psychological transformation. • Story structure is like a gift box - the structure is the same, but the possibilities for the story inside are endless. • Jurassic Park is an example of a film that balances plot well within the three-act structure. • The three-act structure can be further broken down into eight parts, starting with the hook. • The hook is the opening of the film that grabs the audiences attention and makes them ask questions. • The inciting event happens about % into the film and sets the narrative in motion. • The first plot point occurs about 25% into the film and marks a point of no return for the protagonist. • The beginning of the second act is the protagonists reaction to the first plot point. • The first pinch point occurs around 37% into the story and emphasizes the antagonistic force. • These points are turning points that move the plot forward and present obstacles for the protagonist. Chapter 2 - Heading Summary of Key Plot Points in Films • The first pinch point sets up the midpoint and reveals the true conflict in the story. • In Jurassic Park, the first pinch point occurs when the tour is cut short by an impending storm, foreshadowing the catastrophe that will happen at the midpoint. • The midpoint is a major turning point in the story where the protagonists perspective on the plot conflict changes and they become more proactive. • The T-Rex escape in Park is an iconic midpoint that forces the characters into proactive survival mode The second pinch point emphasizes the antagonistic force and sets up the false victory low moment in the third act. • In Iron Man, the second pinch point occurs when Tony realizes he has been betrayed by Obadiah and is pushed out of his own company. • Nedrys death in Jurassic Park is a significant second pinch point that foreshadows the stakes for the other characters and amps up the tension for the third act. • The third plot point is a false victory followed by a low moment, where the character throws all their resources at the plot goal but faces higher costs than expected. • In Mad Max Fury Road, the third plot point occurs when Furiosa discovers the green place has been destroyed, a devastating blow after her search for it throughout the film. • In Jurassic Park, the third plot point occurs when Ellie back on the power, leading immediate consequences and a confrontation with the intelligent Raptors. • The climax is the ultimate culmination the story and usually occurs within the final 10% of the film, where the protagonist confronts the antagonistic force in a final showdown Chapter 3 - Climactic Moments in Films • The climactic moment is the deciding moment in the story that determines whether the protagonist will achieve their goal or not. • Sarah Connors climactic battle with the Terminator in The Terminator completes her transformation from an unassuming citizen to the hero of human civilization. • In Forrest Gump, Jennys death is the climax, but the film ends with Forrest taking care of their child, adding some happiness to the otherwise sad ending. • In Jurassic Park, the climax is the battle with the Raptors, which represents the logical conclusion of the story and emphasizes that humans have no control over nature. • The climax in Jurassic Park also completes Alans character arc as he and Ellie save the children from the Raptors. • The resolution after the climax in Jurassic Park shows Alans character growth and emphasizes that the characters have escaped. • Hollywood films can be broken down into a specific story outline, but they still contain originality through fully great characters. • Structure provides a framework on which different types of characters and stories can be built. • -Studio Binder offers screenwriting software to help writers start their next great film. • Remember to take writing one story beat at a time.

So happy to see my favorite writing blogger partnered with one of my favorite film UKpostsrs!

We always seen the narrator referring her (K.M.Weiland) as a writing gru. Now the gru herself is teaching us. Studio binder gets perfect to perfectionist every week. ❤❤❤

Wow! I am a writer and Im constantly looking for ways to improve my writing and your channel is really one of the few that is absolutely amazing. So much quality content! Thank you!

This was incredibly helpful. I am writing a stage play right now. I had the general idea but now I have a clear picture of how each scene will play out. Thank you!

Your videos are beyond well-done, but what I truly adore is the value the videos might add to the creator community. So many artists are publishing their creations without the knowledge which refines their products. Man we all need to stay educated and keep raising our bars. You are offering tools to possibly prevent a major cultural backslide as far as media is concerned. You are appreciated and thank you!

Thanx for another short refresher course in writing. No matter how many times I learn about story structure it never gets old.

I am very inspired. It's a True Audiovisual Encyclopedia about the Three Act Structure. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. All the Best Continuation.💯💯

Excellent. I've read dozens of sources about story structure, but this one is particularly uplifting, inspirational, and actionable. Thank you. I feel like going out and saving a cat.

KM Weiland is simply without parallel.

One of my favorite channels on UKposts has just posted one of the most important videos I've ever seen! 🔥🔥🔥 Great work! Always inspired.

I need a video on schilders list how did they get such a great emotion in the movie? It touched my heart Its cinematography and its directorial work how they are that 100%perfect?

This is a million view video. I rewound and watched and took meticulous notes. It’s a master class and can be applied to any field like a template if understood correctly. Great job by the fellas who made this video.

YES! Man I've said this and I'll do it again, I'm in love with your narrative videos, and awestruck as to how all of this can be compared and observed in real life. After all, stories are meant to reflect and ponder upon the human experience innit? Thank you StudioBinder Team for your awesome work as always!

Beautifully done and easy to understand.

Your knowledge on films is invaluable. Sharing is caring! Thank you

The Three Act Strucutre is the ultimate vehicle to transmit ideias and great virtues. Master it for the mankind's sake

KM Weiland's Writing Archetypal Character Arcs guide book really provides a great new perspective on understanding fiction. I highly recommend!

It's really funny, this video made me think of movies where I've been thinking : "Oh something important has just happened and will impact the characters for the rest of the movie, I should be at the mid of the movie" and it was right ! Your videos made us think again of every movies that we've watched Thanks of lot for your work !

This is one of the BEST and MOST HELFUL videos you've made in my humble opinion. So grateful. THANK YOU!

Thanks for your team's useful contributions...

Thank you for this lecture. The most detailed explanation on YT so far.

Glad to see examples about greatest movies of all time, like The Godfather, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Dark Knight.

The Three Act Structures are the Bible of Storytelling. My Favorite Movies with the Three Act Structures examples are : -Jaws (1975) -One flew over the cuckoo's nest (1975) -Jurassic Park (1993) -The Dark Knight (2008) -The Godfather (1972) -Taxi Driver (1976) -Alien (1979) -The Silence of the Lambs (1991) -Forest Gump (1994) -The Shawshank Redemption (1994) -Se7en (1995) -The Usual Suspects (1995) -The Matrix (1999) -Spider-Man (2002) -Spider-Man 2 (2004) -Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope (1977) -Star Wars Episode 4 the Empire Strike Back (1980) -There will be Blood (2007) -E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982) -Blade Runner (1982) -Gladiator (2000) -Citizen Kane (1941) -Die Hard (1988) -The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001/2002/2003) -Kill Bill Volume 1 (2003) -Mad Max Fury Road (2015) And many Movies Masterpieces.

Yes! Thank you for having K.M. Weiland on the channel. She is brilliant. I couldn't believe my eyes at first when I saw that she was collaborating with y'all on this video.

I've watched this video three times now. It's just done so well. Thank you!

Such an awesome video / short documentation. Thank you again @studiobinder Love goes out!

Unfortunately most of Hollywood today does not care too much about creating amazing stories anymore for fans. Nonetheless amazing video like always!

This is SO good. Thank you for putting the time into bringing such insightful content 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

I was lost, and now I can see.... THANK YOU SO MUCH. This answered all my questions.

remarkable video, this is not just content, this is education, its power. It's invaluable. thank you :)

This is the structure I think has helped me the most, and your explanation has helped even more!

How did this even happen? Both are huge success! Steven Spielberg has directed some of the most beloved movies of all time, including several critically acclaimed films during the 1990s like "Jurassic Park," Schindler's List," and "Saving Private Ryan." But some audiences might remember that "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's List" both came out in 1993, and Spielberg had to call on some extra help to ensure they both arrived on time. "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" recently released a bonus clip from the host's interview with the director, in which Spielberg explained that he had been developing "Schindler's List" for 10 years "to work up the nerve" to make it, because "it was such a responsibility in telling that story." Spielberg explained that he'd only just finished shooting "Jurassic Park" when he first read Steven Zaillian's script for "Schindler's List," which meant he still had plenty of work to do in post-production on the dinosaur adventure. The director explained that he read the script with his wife, Kate Capshaw, and he knew by "page 167" that he had to make the movie as soon as possible because he didn't want to miss wintertime in Poland and have to wait another year to start work on it.

It worked for Shakespeare, and pretty much every writer since. A beginning, a middle, and an end. A framework is vital to building a story.

Sometimes you can find a three act structure in individual scenes. In The Matrix, Neo's subway encounter with Agent Smith follows such a structure. What's even cooler is that the second act (the fist-fight portion) has a three-act structure of its own.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:01 📝 The three-act structure is an essential framework in screenwriting, with Act 1 representing the first 25% of the film, Act 2 the next 50%, and Act 3 the final 25%. 02:05 📝 Structure provides a flexible framework for storytelling, allowing creativity to flourish while ensuring a resonant psychological transformation for the characters. 03:30 📝 The first act includes the hook, which entices the audience by posing questions and creating intrigue about the story's main conflict. 04:46 📝 The midpoint, or moment of truth, marks a significant change for the protagonist, where their perspective on the conflict shifts, leading to more proactive engagement. 08:10 📝 The first plot point, occurring at the end of Act 1, signals the protagonist's full commitment to the main conflict, initiating Act 2's journey. 10:53 📝 The second pinch point emphasizes what's at stake for the characters and sets up the third plot point, leading to a false victory followed by a low moment. 15:28 📝 The midpoint and third plot point drive the story toward the climax, which occurs in the final 10% of the film and presents the ultimate confrontation between protagonist and antagonist. 22:48 📝 The climax represents the decisive moment in the story, determining whether the protagonist achieves their goal, completes their character arc, and resolves the main conflict. 25:43 📝 The resolution follows the climax, showcasing the character growth and the aftermath of the conflict's resolution, often leading to a satisfying conclusion. Made with HARPA AI

Awesome work as always! Can you do a video on 5-act structure too?

Thank you sooo much. I've been waiting for this video

This was...an outstanding video. It's the clearest breakdown I've heard and I could visualize myself walking through my own developing story.

Wow, you really got Weiland to come, amazing!

Besides everything else, I would like to point out the excellent sound design of your video. My favourite soundtracks come in just the right moments. It may be a coincidence, it probably is not, but you're indirectly teaching not only about structure, but about leitmotifs as well. When Sam was leaving the Shire, I had goosebumps all over, even on my scalp! I'm very curious to learn about different kinds of structuring a film. Many times I find myself annoyed or bored, when everything is going great for the heroes up to around 2 thirds of the movie, then suddenly an entirely artificial argument has to be implemented between them, so that they argue, separate, and then reconcile at the climax. Also, not every story has a villain or a problem that has to be overcome. Some stories are just... stories. "Happenings" that are there to make you laugh, think, or to prove a point. That being said, I think it's important to learn and know the 3-act structure well before learning about others, since I feel it's a bit of a cornerstone in storytelling. Also, I noticed that you've made your video in the ways of the 3-Act Structure, which I think is great. You're subtly revealing another rule of filmmaking: "Show, don't tell." But you're also telling, so... the more I analyze your video, the better it gets. Absolutely awesome! Thank you very much for making this! :)

Love this explanation! Thank you

Im not a screenwriter or filmmaker. I'm just a regular ol' author and artist, but this channel has been such a huge help in my writing process :) love you guys

What a channel. I have had some classes about storytelling and i've almost learned nothing that i didnt already learn over here!

Your inputs are always enriching and helps grow many of us in our skills.... Thank you so so much....

I hadnt seen Jurassic Park in so many years!! Once I realized how this video would breakdown and use examples to drive home the points...I left the vid...went and re-watched the movie...and tuned back in!!! What a wonderful collaboration and breakdown. Well done!!

I love this channel so much. Thank you for all your hard work.

thank you so much we really appreciate this channel ❤❤❤

I'm not a writer, I'm a programmer, but I'm fascinated by writing but never seen anyone spell out the 3 Act Structure like everyone should know. Perhaps all writers should but have to say it's obvious some appropriate it more than others. Thank you for answers on this topic

The more rules you put onto it, the more freedom you should find in between these rules. A challenge to creativity as it is.

I always become inspired by your fabulous videos Wish the best😍😍😍

This is an amazing video, so well done. Ahora me voy a tomar el atrevimiento de escribir en español porque soy muy malo en el inglés😂 pero de verdad que este canal me ayuda muchísimo para dar el salto de autor a escritor de películas, soy venezolano y en mi país es muy difícil tener éxito en este campo pero seguiré teniendo mi fe puesta en mi talento. Nuevamente gracias por este video y muchos éxitos

❤️❤️ excited for every episode ...

This takeaways are great details or crash course against the so many content and books about 3 act structure. Thank you @studiobinder

Thank you for another great video about filmmaking. And perfect timing, since I just saw Jurassic Park over the weekend with a live orchestral score 😁

Valuable insights for both aspiring and expert writers.

WOW! What a great lesson!!! Thanks

Great refresher for me. Thank you.

This was the best 3 act structure explanation I've ever seen. Well done.

Nice matrix to Jurassic Park transition

Thank you for sharing this. It clarifies a lot. 🙏🙂

First time I've ever seen anything David Lynch related on the channel, even if it's just a 3 second clip. Hopefully more in the future🙏

This was so helpful! Thank you!

that scene the T-Rex attacking the SUVs is somewhat my favorite scene. it shows how stories can help bring things together.

This is the most useful video of the most useful channel ever. Thank you!

It's only half an hour of work, but our lecture spend a whole semester to make it even harder to understand. It was the actual fact of the education failure.

Thank you for this video, StudioBinder. Such great tips!

I've been studying K.M. Weiland for several years. Her work is excellent.

Excellent video. Instead of being constricting, the rules of storytelling provide a structure that allows for creativity without losing the audience.

Thank you for your work! Amazing!

Just when I thought I know everything I need to know regarding certain subjects, StudioBinder once again showed me that I know nothing and that there's more to learn

My clients are loving how i write the scripts using the three act structure and that's because of you guys

Thank you for your amazing work you're doing! If it's possible, could you tell more about act structures in different tv-series or episodes, or web-series? I think in episodes like "stranger things" or "Dark", there're not only 3 act structure but someething more complicated or as you told here in this video: an altered 3 act structure.

Thx you for great examples to your explanation, it's make it much more easier to understand ✨

Perfect explanation and a demonstration with perfect examples that we all are familiar with 👏

I wish Sid Field would've gotten more love here. This is 97% Syd; everyone just improved on it and used his examples.

As a visual person myself this has helped expain the 3 act story structure better THX💖

This video is a gold mine.

this is gold, i would pay for this

Thank you its so helpful

Structure doesn't limit you, obsession over structure does. I ran into this as a screenwriter over and over, where powers that be insisted on this happening on page 10, and that happening on page 25, regardless of the actual story. "Structure isn't limiting" followed by "The Inciting Event happens 12% into your story" demonstrates exactly what I'm talking about. Sadly, so many producers and directors have been indoctrinated into this formula, that they think any deviation is 'bad writing'. That is a lie. "Rocky" was very successful, and does not follow this structure. To be fair, those producers and directors are playing the odds, and they know most people will watch movies structured this way. Making movies can be ridiculously expensive, and they want a return on their investment. Show business is, after all, a business. Anyone who wants to make a living in this industry needs to understand that this is the real purpose of this structure - not because it's 'good writing', but because it's 'marketable writing' ("marketable" meaning: having the broadest audience possible). You can absolutely have good writing that's marketable, and good writing that's not marketable. But good or bad, marketable writing will get you paid far more often than not... :)

Thank you so much I love it... ❤️