Syd Field – Plot Points

Storytelling, Screenwriting

Jul 2, 2024 

Act I – Set-Up:

  1. Introduction to Characters and World:
    • Establishing the protagonist’s ordinary world and daily life.
    • Introducing key characters and their relationships.
    • Setting up the protagonist’s goals and motivations.
  2. Inciting Incident:
    • An event that disrupts the protagonist’s status quo and creates a problem or goal.
    • Examples:
      • In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Luke Skywalker discovers Princess Leia’s message in R2-D2.
  3. Plot Point I:
    • A significant event that propels the protagonist into the main conflict, transitioning from Act I to Act II.
    • Examples:
      • In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Luke’s family is killed, and he decides to join Obi-Wan Kenobi on his mission.

Act II – Confrontation:

  1. Rising Action:
    • The protagonist faces a series of obstacles and challenges.
    • Examples:
      • In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy encounters various characters and challenges on her journey to meet the Wizard.
  2. Midpoint:
    • A major turning point that raises the stakes and often changes the direction of the story.
    • Examples:
      • In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy and her friends reach the Emerald City and meet the Wizard, who gives them a new mission to obtain the Wicked Witch’s broomstick.
  3. Plot Point II:
    • A crucial event that leads to the climax, transitioning from Act II to Act III.
    • Examples:
      • In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the heroes rescue Princess Leia, but Obi-Wan Kenobi is killed by Darth Vader, leading to the final assault on the Death Star.

Act III – Resolution:

  1. Climax:
    • The most intense and decisive moment where the main conflict reaches its peak.
    • Examples:
      • In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star.
  2. Falling Action:
    • The aftermath of the climax, where loose ends begin to resolve.
    • Examples:
      • In “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the Rebel Alliance celebrates their victory.
  3. Denouement/Resolution:
    • The final resolution of the story, where the characters find a new normal and the story concludes.
    • Examples:
      • In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy returns home to Kansas and realizes there’s no place like home.

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