Jun 15, 2024
1. Universal Four-Act Structure
Combining elements from different structures into a cohesive four-act framework that emphasizes key plot points and character development.
Act I: Setup
- Ordinary World (Campbell): The hero’s normal life before the adventure begins.
- Call to Adventure (Campbell): The hero is presented with a challenge or quest.
- Refusal of the Call (Campbell): The hero hesitates or declines the adventure.
- Meeting the Mentor (Campbell): The hero encounters a mentor who provides guidance.
- Dependent World (Hudson): The protagonist’s world where they conform to others’ expectations.
- Price of Conformity (Hudson): The cost the protagonist pays for fitting in.
- Opportunity to Shine (Hudson): The protagonist gets a chance to express their true self.
- Dresses the Part (Hudson): The protagonist begins to adopt their true identity.
- Inciting Incident (Brooks): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
- Catalyst (Snyder): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
Act II: Initiation
- Crossing the Threshold (Campbell): The hero leaves the ordinary world and enters the special world.
- Secret World (Hudson): The protagonist creates a space where they can be their true self.
- No Longer Fits In (Hudson): The protagonist starts to outgrow their old world.
- Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): The hero faces challenges, makes friends, and confronts foes.
- First Plot Point (Brooks): A significant event that changes the protagonist’s direction and raises the stakes.
- Plot Turn 1 (Wells): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
- Midpoint (Brooks): A major turning point that shifts the story’s direction and deepens the conflict.
- Caught Shining (Hudson): The protagonist’s true self is discovered by others.
- Pinch Point 1 (Brooks): A reminder of the story’s central conflict, increasing tension.
- Bad Guys Close In (Snyder): The protagonist faces increased opposition and higher stakes.
Act III: Climax
- Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): The hero faces a significant challenge, often involving a metaphorical death and rebirth.
- Gives Up What Kept Her Stuck (Hudson): The protagonist lets go of constraints holding them back.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): The hero gains a reward or accomplishes a goal.
- Kingdom in Chaos (Hudson): The protagonist’s world is disrupted by their changes.
- Second Plot Point (Brooks): A crucial event that leads to the story’s climax.
- Plot Turn 2 (Wells): A crucial event that leads to the story’s climax.
- Crisis (Snyder): The protagonist hits rock bottom and faces their greatest challenge.
- Wanders in the Wilderness (Hudson): The protagonist faces a period of doubt and uncertainty.
Act IV: Resolution
- The Road Back (Campbell): The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world.
- Chooses Her Light (Hudson): The protagonist fully embraces their true self.
- Resurrection (Campbell): The hero faces a final test, using everything learned on the journey.
- Re-ordering of the Kingdom (Hudson): The protagonist’s world adjusts to their new identity.
- Return with the Elixir (Campbell): The hero returns home with newfound wisdom or a reward to help others.
- The Kingdom is Brighter (Hudson): The protagonist’s true self brings positive change to their world.
- Climax (Field): The story’s peak moment of conflict and resolution.
- Final Image (Snyder): The last visual that reflects the story’s resolution and theme.
2. Thematic Integration
Aligning themes and character arcs from various approaches to create a robust narrative journey.
Thematic Stages
- Existence and Desire:
- Ordinary World (Campbell): The hero’s normal life before the adventure begins.
- Call to Adventure (Campbell): The hero is presented with a challenge or quest.
- Dependent World (Hudson): The protagonist’s world where they conform to others’ expectations.
- Conflict and Growth:
- Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): The hero faces challenges, makes friends, and confronts foes.
- Secret World (Hudson): The protagonist creates a space where they can be their true self.
- No Longer Fits In (Hudson): The protagonist starts to outgrow their old world.
- Transformation and Crisis:
- Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): The hero faces a significant challenge, often involving a metaphorical death and rebirth.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): The hero gains a reward or accomplishes a goal.
- Gives Up What Kept Her Stuck (Hudson): The protagonist lets go of constraints holding them back.
- Resolution and Change:
- The Road Back (Campbell): The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world.
- Resurrection (Campbell): The hero faces a final test, using everything learned on the journey.
- Chooses Her Light (Hudson): The protagonist fully embraces their true self.
3. Hybrid Beat Sheet
Merging beat sheets from different methods into a unified guide for plotting.
Beginning
- Opening Image (Snyder): The first visual that sets the tone and mood of the story.
- Theme Stated (Snyder): A statement or question that reveals the story’s theme.
- Setup (Field): Introduction of characters, setting, and the story’s premise.
- Hook (Brooks): A compelling opening that grabs the audience’s attention.
- Inciting Incident (Field): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
- Catalyst (Snyder): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
Middle
- First Turning Point (Field): A significant event that changes the protagonist’s direction and raises the stakes.
- Pinch Point 1 (Brooks): A reminder of the story’s central conflict, increasing tension.
- Midpoint (Brooks): A major turning point that shifts the story’s direction and deepens the conflict.
- Pinch Point 2 (Brooks): Another reminder of the central conflict, heightening stakes.
- Second Turning Point (Field): Another significant event that propels the story toward its climax.
End
- Climax (Field): The story’s peak moment of conflict and resolution.
- Resolution (Field): The final outcome and resolution of the story’s conflicts.
- Final Image (Snyder): The last visual that reflects the story’s resolution and theme.
4. Flexible Scene Framework
Creating a scene-by-scene framework that allows for flexibility while ensuring all essential story elements are covered.
Scene Framework
- Setup
- Ordinary World (Campbell): The hero’s normal life before the adventure begins.
- Dependent World (Hudson): The protagonist’s world where they conform to others’ expectations.
- Inciting Incident (Brooks): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
- Catalyst (Snyder): An event that disrupts the protagonist’s normal life and sets the story in motion.
- Rising Action
- Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): The hero faces challenges, makes friends, and confronts foes.
- Secret World (Hudson): The protagonist creates a space where they can be their true self.
- Midpoint (Brooks): A major turning point that shifts the story’s direction and deepens the conflict.
- Climax
- Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): The hero faces a significant challenge, often involving a metaphorical death and rebirth.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): The hero gains a reward or accomplishes a goal.
- Resolution
- The Road Back (Campbell): The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world.
- Return with the Elixir (Campbell): The hero returns home with newfound wisdom or a reward to help others.
- Final Image (Snyder): The last visual that reflects the story’s resolution and theme.
5. Integrated Character Arcs
Combining character development elements from different approaches to ensure a well-rounded protagonist journey.
Character Arc Stages
- Introduction and Desire:
- Ordinary World (Campbell): The hero’s normal life before the adventure begins.
- Call to Adventure (Campbell): The hero is presented with a challenge or quest.
- Dependent World (Hudson): The protagonist’s world where they conform to others’ expectations.
- Conflict and Adaptation:
- Tests, Allies, Enemies (Campbell): The hero faces challenges, makes friends, and confronts foes.
- Secret World (Hudson): The protagonist creates a space where they can be their true self.
- No Longer Fits In (Hudson): The protagonist starts to outgrow their old world.
- Crisis and Transformation:
- Ordeal, Death, and Rebirth (Campbell): The hero faces a significant challenge, often involving a metaphorical death and rebirth.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword) (Campbell): The hero gains a reward or accomplishes a goal.
- Gives Up What Kept Her Stuck (Hudson): The protagonist lets go of constraints holding them back.
- Resolution and Growth:
- The Road Back (Campbell): The hero begins the journey back to the ordinary world.
- Resurrection (Campbell): The hero faces a final test, using everything learned on the journey.
- Chooses Her Light (Hudson): The protagonist fully embraces their true self.