The first workshop in the Introduction to Screenwriting series is now available as a downloadable pack under Resources

Example act breakdowns

Ben Slythe

Examples of well known stories broken down into the screenplay three-act structure.

Star Wars in acts

How the screenplay of Star Wars divides the story into the three-act structure.



Hamlet in acts

Showing Shakepeare's Hamlet broken into acts to see the underlying structure.



Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in acts

The first of the Harry Potter films broken into acts to show the structure.



Terminator in acts

The classic science-fiction thriller The Terminator broken into acts to show the structure.




"The worst thing one can say to a child when aiming a camera at him is, "Act naturally". That will shrivel him on the spot. Children are natural actors but you must give them something to act. However many children you are going to film, give each one a separate identity. Tell the little boy to pretend the bicycle is one he has just won in a competition. Tell the little girl she is a princess in disguise. Give them something to work with and think about before the filming begins. Watch how one boy flicks his hair or rubs his nose, how a girl twists her braids and rubs one foot behind her leg. How they eat, how they smile, how they show shyness or jealousy by jumping up and down or pouting in a certain way. Then, when you are ready to film, re-enact their own mannerisms to them and ask them to imitate you. In fact, they will be doing what comes naturally to them."

Carol Reed