Screenwriters tell their stories in the form of screenplays. They can follow different types of screenplay structures, regardless of genre or storyline. Some of the most popular screenplay structures include the three-act, real-time, multiple timeline, and Rashomon structures.
When approaching the screenwriting process, screenwriters aim to elicit an emotional response in the audience. To do so, they must structure their screenplays carefully by organizing the different elements of their stories in a specific order. Any story includes characters, events, and specific target outcomes, which together constitute the plot. The organization of these elements is the screenplay structure. Different screenplay structures serve different storytelling purposes. The most famous type is the three-act structure. Considered the oldest and most well-established screenplay structure, the three-act screenplay consists of a beginning, middle, and end. Dividing the story into three distinct parts makes it more easily accessible for audiences and facilitates plot pacing. Most screenplays rely on the three-act structure to set up and progress the events of the story. The first act is an introduction to the main characters and the world they inhabit. In the second act, the characters face a major obstacle or conflict, which they must confront in order to reach their goal. The third and final act depicts the resolution of the story, showing the characters’ success or failure in overcoming their conflict. Films like Star Wars employ the three-act structure to build a captivating and satisfying story. Some screenwriters choose a different approach to storytelling. Instead of organizing their story in three acts, they build it in a single, uninterrupted stream. This real-time structure does not include flashbacks or time jumps. It represents the story in a continuous manner to drive the action and amplify the tension in every single scene. A challenging structure to master, the real-time screenplay often generates a suspenseful atmosphere where characters usually face a critical task and need to beat the clock. Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men (1957) and John Badham’s Nick of Time (1995) are classic examples of the real-time screenplay structure. In these films, characters must complete a specific task (issuing a jury verdict and saving a kidnapped daughter, respectively) before time runs out. In stories with several characters and storylines, screenwriters can implement a multiple timeline structure to effectively tell their stories. This structure combines many linear storylines that are connected through common themes or emotions. Screenplays that follow a multiple timeline structure can be difficult to write and execute, so screenwriters need to ensure that their mixed storylines are properly paced. Directed by Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachoswki, and Lilly Wachoswki, Cloud Atlas is an excellent example of how a multiple timeline structure can elevate a story’s potential to convey the interconnectedness of numerous characters and their experiences. Another way to convey the experiences of different characters is the Rashomon structure. Named after Aira Kurosawa’s Rashomon (1950), this type of screenplay structure tells a single story but from the points of view of different characters. A Rashomon structure allows screenwriters to present multiple perspectives, showcasing how subjective experience creates different sides to any story. A recent example is Ridley Scott’s latest historical drama, The Last Duel (2021). The film presents the audience with three different perspectives of the same course of events, illustrating the characters’ differing perceptions and beliefs.
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AuthorSawyer Petrick - Aspiring New York City Screenwriter. Archives
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