Act I: Setup (1% – 25%)

Introduction:

Ordinary World: Establish the protagonist’s normal life and environment.
Theme Stated: Introduce the central theme subtly or explicitly.
Inciting Incident/Catalyst: An event that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world and sets the story in motion (Syd Field, Blake Snyder).
Call to Adventure: The protagonist is presented with a challenge or goal (Joseph Campbell).
Refusal of the Call: Initial reluctance or resistance from the protagonist (Joseph Campbell).
Meeting the Mentor: Guidance and training from a mentor figure (Joseph Campbell).
First Plot Point: A significant event that propels the protagonist into the main conflict and marks the end of Act I (Larry Brooks, Syd Field).

Crossing the Threshold: The protagonist fully commits to the journey, leaving the ordinary world behind (Joseph Campbell).
Tests, Allies, Enemies: The protagonist faces various challenges and meets both allies and enemies (Joseph Campbell).
Pinch Point 1: A reminder of the antagonist’s power, increasing tension (Larry Brooks).
First Doorway of No Return: The protagonist makes a significant decision that deepens their commitment to the journey (James Scott Bell).

Midpoint: A major event that changes the protagonist’s understanding of the situation and heightens the stakes (Syd Field, Larry Brooks, Blake Snyder).
Pinch Point 2: Another confrontation or reminder of the antagonist’s strength (Larry Brooks).
Approach to the Inmost Cave: The protagonist prepares for a significant challenge or confrontation (Joseph Campbell).
Central Ordeal: The protagonist faces their greatest fear or challenge, leading to a transformative experience (Joseph Campbell).
Second Doorway of No Return: New information or events push the protagonist towards the climax (James Scott Bell).

The Road Back: The protagonist begins their journey back to the ordinary world, facing additional challenges (Joseph Campbell).
Tragic Force: A final obstacle that threatens the protagonist’s goal (Gustav Freytag).
Final Push: The protagonist gathers their strength for the final confrontation (Michael Hauge).

Climax: The protagonist faces the antagonist in a final showdown, resulting in the resolution of the central conflict (Robert McKee, Blake Snyder).
Resurrection: The protagonist undergoes a final transformation or rebirth (Joseph Campbell).
Return with the Elixir: The protagonist returns to the ordinary world with newfound wisdom or a tangible reward (Joseph Campbell).
Resolution: All remaining subplots are tied up, and the new status quo is established (Robert McKee, Gustav Freytag).

Ordinary World: Frodo Baggins living a quiet life in the Shire in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (Campbell, Vogler).
Theme Stated: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the theme of racial injustice is hinted at through the early scenes in Maycomb (Snyder).
Inciting Incident/Catalyst: Harry Potter receives his letter to Hogwarts in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Field, Snyder).
Call to Adventure: Luke Skywalker receives Princess Leia’s message in Star Wars: A New Hope (Campbell).
Refusal of the Call: Bilbo Baggins initially refusing to join the dwarves’ quest in The Hobbit (Campbell).
Meeting the Mentor: Obi-Wan Kenobi guiding Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope (Campbell).
First Plot Point: Katniss Everdeen volunteering as tribute in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, marking her entry into the Games (Brooks, Field).

Crossing the Threshold: Alice stepping through the looking glass in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Campbell).
Tests, Allies, Enemies: Harry, Ron, and Hermione facing various challenges and meeting allies like Hagrid and enemies like Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Campbell).
Pinch Point 1: The Death Eaters attacking the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, reminding us of the growing threat (Brooks).
First Doorway of No Return: The Pevensie children discovering they are in Narnia in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Bell).

Midpoint: Neo choosing to save Morpheus and fully committing to his role as The One in The Matrix (Field, Brooks, Snyder).
Pinch Point 2: The Ministry of Magic’s interference in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, increasing the stakes (Brooks).
Approach to the Inmost Cave: Frodo and Sam nearing Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Campbell).
Central Ordeal: Katniss and Peeta facing off in the final stages of the Hunger Games arena in The Hunger Games (Campbell).
Second Doorway of No Return: The fall of Hogwarts and Harry deciding to confront Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Bell).

The Road Back: The surviving Avengers regrouping for the final battle in Avengers: Endgame (Campbell).
Tragic Force: Frodo being overtaken by the power of the Ring at Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Freytag).
Final Push: Rocky training for his rematch in Rocky II (Hauge).

Climax: The final battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (McKee, Snyder).
Resurrection: Harry Potter’s symbolic death and return during the final battle in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Campbell).
Return with the Elixir: Frodo returning to the Shire but ultimately leaving for the Undying Lands in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Campbell).
Resolution: The new era of peace and the return to normalcy in the Shire after Sauron’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings (McKee, Freytag).