Filmmaking / Directing : My “7-Step Film Directing Formula” (Part Two) by Peter D. Marshall

STEP 2: STORY, STORY, STORY

A. The Director and the Story

There are many phases of a film director’s prep, but the first, and most important part of your job, is to understand every detail about the story: where it takes place; who the characters are; and what happens to them.

When you first read a script, here are just some of the many questions you will need to answer to help identify and solve potential script problems:

1. What is the story about? This defines the central premise or main idea of the story, summarizing its essence in a concise statement.

2. Does the story make sense? This ensures that the plot is coherent, logical, and easy for the audience to follow and understand.

3. What problem is to be resolved? This identifies the central conflict or issue that the main character must overcome, driving the story forward.

4. What event hooks the audience? This is the inciting incident or initial event that grabs the audience's attention and sets the story in motion.

5. What is the plot? This outlines the sequence of events and actions taken by the characters as they work towards resolving the central conflict.

6. What is the subplot? This secondary storyline supports the main plot, often highlighting deeper themes and adding complexity to the narrative.

Understanding the story requires a lot of work on your part because you then need to dig deeper into the story and its structure by analyzing each individual scene in the script to find out what the story is about, what works and what doesn’t. You do this by asking questions like:

1. What is the intention of the scene? This identifies the scene's purpose and what it aims to achieve in the context of the overall story.

2. What are the story points? These are the key events or pieces of information that drive the narrative forward within the scene.

3. Where are the scene beats? These are the moments of change or emotional shifts within the scene that keep the audience engaged.

4. Where is the climax? This is the most intense or pivotal moment of the scene, often determining the direction of the subsequent action.

5. What is the resolution? This is how the conflict or tension within the scene is resolved, leading into the next part of the story.

6. What are the important lines of dialogue? These are key lines that convey critical information, reveal character, or advance the plot significantly.

Remember, your script analysis will be a never-ending process. Each time you read the script, you will find something else you didn’t know about the story or the characters.

And the script will also constantly evolve. The script will change because of your creative notes, writer changes, actor changes, producer changes, studio changes and location availability. But as long as you know what the story is about, and where the story is going, you will be able to adjust to all the changes.

B. The Classic Three-Act Structure

The three-act structure is a model used in modern storytelling that divides a fictional narrative into three parts: the Setup, the Confrontation and the Resolution.

ACT ONE (Set Up)

“Boy meets girl”

1. What is the story plot and the story theme? The plot outlines the sequence of events that drive the narrative forward, while the theme represents the underlying message or central idea the story aims to convey.

2. What is the “dramatic question” to be answered? The dramatic question is the central question that keeps the audience engaged, revolving around the main character's journey or the story's primary conflict, and is typically resolved by the story's conclusion.

3. Who is the main character and what are his/her needs and goals? Identifying the main character involves understanding their primary role in the story, along with their needs (what they lack or desire internally) and goals (what they aim to achieve externally), which drive their actions and decisions throughout the narrative.

ACT TWO (Confrontation)

“Boy loses girl and fights against impossible odds to get her back”

1. What is the dramatic “rising” action? The rising action consists of a series of events that build tension and suspense, leading up to the story's climax, and it involves the development of conflicts and challenges faced by the main character.

2. What are the obstacles in the main character’s way? These are the challenges, conflicts, and adversities that hinder the main character’s progress toward their goals, adding complexity and depth to the narrative.

3. How does the main character overcome each obstacle? The main character overcomes obstacles through a combination of strategy, growth, determination, and sometimes external assistance, demonstrating their development and resilience as the story unfolds.

ACT THREE (Resolution)

“Boy gets girl and lives happily ever after”

1. How does the story end? The ending of the story provides resolution to the main plot and subplots, wrapping up the narrative and leaving the audience with a sense of closure.

2. What happens to the main character? The main character's fate is revealed, showing the outcome of their journey, including how they have changed or what they have achieved.

3. Is the dramatic question answered? The dramatic question, which drives the narrative tension, is finally addressed, resolving the central conflict and delivering the story's ultimate message or lesson.

Next Article: Part THREE (STEP 3: PERFORMANCE)