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How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 4 – Resolution

Greeting, story peeps!

At long last we’ve come to the end… of this video series at least. In the final installment we’ll outline the last two actions of the Resolution Phase: Trying a Longshot and Living in a New Situation. I hope you enjoy. Be sure to like and subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with new video posts! And as always, if you have any questions or comments drop them below or under the video on YouTube!

Now, it’s finally time to get back to writing. The Story Structure Blueprint is coming soon!

The post How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 4 – Resolution appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Story Structure Analysis: Die Hard

Format: Movie

Released: 1988

Screenplay By: Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza

Directed By: John McTiernan

Run Time: 127 minutes

Character: John McCLane

New Role: Terrorist Fighter

Plot summary of the 1988 action, classic Die Hard continues below…

Revolutionize your writing with Actions and Goals!
Story Structure Analysis: Die Hard

DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP

All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.

We meet gruff New York City detective John McClane en route to LA. He’s picked up from the airport by Argyle the limo driver, who takes him to Nakatomi Tower, the main setting of the story.

“Have fun!”

There we are introduced to John’s wife Holly and several of her coworkers including Mr. Takagi, Ellis and Holly’s pregnant assistant, Ginny. 

Hans and his team are introduced as they take over the building with military precision. John evades capture and becomes the sole force of opposition in the building. He begins trying to contact the authorities, kills his first terrorist and lets the others know he intends to fight back against them. 

ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION

A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal . But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation and must assume a New Role .

Rough-and-tumble New York City cop John McClane visits his estranged wife in Los Angeles (the imperfect situation) and is out of place in the cavalier decadence (oppressive opposition) as he tries to reunite with her (initial goal). But when the building is locked down by a group of armed terrorists who take everyone hostage (the disturbance), John acts quickly to evade capture, uncover their intentions (the dilemma) and become the lone force of opposition to the terrorists’ plans (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Although John McClane and his wife Holly are still married, they are separated, with her living in LA and him still living in New York. John is afraid of flying but makes the trip to LA to visit her for Christmas to convince her to come home. Holly is shown to be succeeding at her job in LA, much to John’s chagrin. Despite their obvious love for each other, they start to argue almost immediately upon reuniting.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Al Powell is on permanent desk duty after mistakenly shooting a kid left him unable to draw his gun. 

Initial Goal: Visit Holly in LA to reconcile their relationship.

Oppressive Opposition: John makes a dangerous air trip to California where his tightly-wound New York attitude clashes with the laid back local customs. Holly rightly refuses to admit any wrongdoing in the dissolution of their relationship. Holly’s coworker Ellis tries to rub Holly’s success in Jon’s face. Armed terrorists storm the party, corral all the other guests like cattle, and send John on the run.

Episode 1: Out of Order: 0 minutes (0%) – Although still married, Jon and Holly live on opposite sides of the country. John, who hates flying, is forced to fly to LA to see his wife and kids. It is revealed that this is a result of his stubbornness when his limo driver Argyle rightly guesses John expected Holly to come running home in failure.  

While using the touchscreen John discovers Holly has reverted to using her maiden name. At the party he is greatly out of place and even kissed on the cheek by a strange man. He meets Ellis who is a coke-addled prick.

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 14 minutes (11%) – Ominous music plays as we see the Pacific Courier truck navigating the LA streets. Holly and John discuss Ellis in private. Holly invites John to stay at her house but he starts an argument with her over her use of her maiden name and what their marriage should be. Holly leaves John to clean up while she gives a speech to her coworkers. The courier truck arrives at Nakatomi tower. Two of Hans’ crew kill the security guards with practiced ease and the rest of the team arrives. They lock down the building and kill the phones while John is in the middle of a conversation with Argyle. 

Episode 3: Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 22 minutes (17.3%) – Hans’ gang crashes the Christmas party. When John hears the gunshots and commotion he escapes through the stairwell to a different floor. He commands himself to think of a solution. Seeing a phone on a construction floor, he tries it only to find it’s dead. 

The New Role: John becomes the lone force of opposition against a gang of terrorists.

Act Run Time: 25 minutes (19.6%)

ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION

The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal . But when he receives a Reality Check , he makes a Commitment to his New Role.

Act Start Time: 25 minutes (19.6%)

Locked in a skyscraper with a gang of terrorists (the unfamiliar situation) who half-heartedly address the threat he poses (incidental opposition) John tries to alert the authorities to the situation (transitional goal). But when John’s attempt to call the fire department alerts the terrorists to his presence and he’s forced to kill one of them (the reality check), he sends the corpse to the others with a taunting message and eavesdrops on their conversation (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Outgunned and all alone, John finds himself locked in a building with a murderous gang of terrorists and no way to contact the outside world.

Transitional Goal: Alert the authorities to the situation.

Incidental Opposition: While trying to get the attention of the authorities, John inadvertently alerts the terrorists to his existence and location by setting off the fire alarm. Fortunately they underestimate him and only send one thug to investigate. 

Episode 4: Rushed Initiation: 25 minutes (19.6%) The terrorists round up their hostages in the central area while firing machine guns in the air. Hans demands to know which of the hostages is Mr. Takagi. Because he doesn’t have a picture. Because there was no internet back then. 

John makes his way up the staircase, making note of what’s on each floor while Hans takes Takagi to a private office. He sneaks into an adjacent conference room, overhears Hans tell Mr. Takagi they are after bearer bonds, and witnesses Hans shoot Takagi in the face when he refuses to give up the access codes. Hans tells his Token he hopes he can crack the safe now that Takagi is dead. It would seem the bad guys now have a Dilemma of their own. 

Episode 5: Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 32 minutes (25.1%) – The terrorists begin lacing the roof with explosives. Theo explains the complexity of the lock to Hans. Jon berates himself for not saving Takagi. When he sees the fire alarm he gets the idea to use it to call the fire department. His attempt to bring firemen is quickly thwarted by Hans who calls and cancels the alarm. One of Hans’ goons is sent to the floor John is on to investigate. After a brief tussle, John kills his first terrorist. 

Episode 6: Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 38 minutes (29.9%) – John robs the dead terrorist and sends his dead body down the elevator with a message informing the other terrorists he now has a machine gun.

And wishing them a Merry Christmas.

From atop the car, John eavesdrops on the gang to gather information on their numbers. He is nearly crushed when the elevator goes up, signifying just how locked into the situation he now is.

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (13.3%) 

DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION

The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of successes and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.

John engages in a battle of wits with Hans as John tries to thwart the terrorists’ plans and Hans attempts to track John down and eliminate him. John manages to take out more terrorists and learn more about what Hans is up to, but the LAPD, Ellis, the FBI and Channel 14 news all provide escalating levels of interference. 

ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT

The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal . But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth .

Act Start Time: 42 minutes (33%) 

John engages in a battle of wits with the terrorist leader (the central conflict) who has his goons begin seeking him out (intentional opposition) while he tries to assist the authorities with their operation (false goal). But when Hans kills the SWAT team and shoots Holly’s coworker Ellis (the turn), John realizes Hans’ demands of the LAPD are phony and vows to figure out what he’s really up to (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: John vs. Hans and the terrorists.

False Goal: Investigate the terrorists to aid the authorities in stopping them.

Intentional Opposition: Now that Hans and his gang know of John’s existence, they begin intentionally trying to find him and silence him. 

Episode 7: Hard-Earned Progress: 42 minutes (33%) – John makes his way to the roof and uses the terrorist’s walkie-talkie to call 911 and provide what he’s learned about the terrorists. The dispatcher doesn’t initially believe his story, but ultimately relents to send a cruiser to do a drive-by. Officer Al “Eddie Winslow” Powell gets the call as the terrorists pursue John around the roof and back into the building. John narrowly escapes through an elevator shaft.

When Powell arrives at Nakatomi tower, he doesn’t see anything suspicious and is about to leave, but John kills another terrorist and drops his corpse on Powell’s car to get his attention. 

At least he brought snacks.

The terrorists open fire on the squad car and Powell narrowly survives by driving over an embankment.  Hearing the alert on police radio, the reporter Richard Thornburg requests to pursue the story and is given a van crew.

When the LAPD arrives in earnest, John calls Hans to taunt him. He finds the terrorists’ stash of C4 and detonators on one of the corpses. Hans realizes one of the men John killed had the detonators. Sgt. Powell calls John back and gets the rundown on who John thinks the terrorists are.

Episode 8: Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 64 minutes (50.3%) –  Deputy Police Chief Dwayne Robinson arrives and begins questioning Powell’s insight. Richard Thornburg’s news team shortly thereafter and begins reporting on the story. 

Despite Powell and John’s protests, Chief Robinson sends in the SWAT team. Hans’ gang makes short work of them with a rocket launcher. John throws a makeshift C4 computer bomb down an elevator shaft as retaliation. This prompts Robinson to try to take over communication from Powell, but his criticism of John’s handling of the situation gets him blacklisted.

Meanwhile, Holly’s coked-up coworker Ellis attempts a negotiation with Hans and tells him he’s friends with John. The next time Hans calls, he calls John by his name. John warns Ellis that Hans is going to kill him if doesn’t admit he and John aren’t really friends. Ellis doesn’t. Hans does.

Darwinism at work.

Episode 9: Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 85 minutes (66.9%) – After Hans shoots Ellis, Chief Robinson complains to Powell that John let him die. Powell tells him to wake up and smell what he’s shoveling. Hans contacts the police and rattles off a list of demands. 

Afterward, John tells Powell there was nothing he could do to save Ellis. He also tells him that Hans’ demands are likely BS. The FBI arrives shortly thereafter and wrests control from Robinson.

Act Run Time: 48 minutes (37.7%) 

ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN

The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal . But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve .

Act Start Time: 90 minutes (70.8%)

The FBI runs their hostage playbook (the doomed plan) and John is tricked by Hans who pretends to be a hostage (self-inflicted opposition) while John tries to figure out what Hans is up to (penultimate goal). But when Hans discovers Holly’s identity and kidnaps her before blowing the roof (the lowpoint), John narrowly survives the explosion and comes up with a plan to confront Hans (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: The FBI runs their standard playbook, playing right into Hans’ hands. John attempts to figure out what Hans is up to with the explosives, but uncovers the truth too late to prevent the FBI guys from dying.

Penultimate Goal: Figure out what Hans is really up to.

Self-Inflicted Opposition:  The FBI guys follow their standard terrorist procedure and get blown up for it. John almost gets tricked  by Hans who pretends to be a hostage. When he attempts to rescue the hostages from the roof, the FBI agents think he is a terrorist. 

Episode 10: False Sense of Heroism: 90 minutes (70.8%) – John goes to up to roof to scout it out at the same time as Hans. Hans pretends to be William, a fellow hostage in need of John’s help. John is skeptical but allows him to tag along because he’s not just gonna leave some guy to die. The FBI guys are confident they have the situation well under control, but Powell reminds them John is also in the building.

After a brief conversation over cigarettes, John offers Hans/William a gun. Hans reveals his true identity by radioing his goons in German and holding John at gunpoint.

“I’m not sure you understand how guns work, Hans.”

When Hans insists on getting the detonators back, John realizes there are more explosives than the ones he used on the elevator shaft. Hans’ goons arrive and he tells them to shoot out the glass frames of the offices knowing that John has no shoes. John is forced to run over the glass shards barefoot because he’s a badass.

Thornburg’s crew acquires Johns name, badge number and all his personal info.

Episode 11: Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 99 minutes (77.9%) – With his feet bleeding severely, John drags himself into a bathroom to get the glass out of his feet. Theo informs Hans that the electromagnetic shield on the vault activated.

Powell tells John the cops have a pool going on whether he’ll survive. When John asks why Powell is on desk duty, Powell tells him he’s been unable to draw his gun since accidentally shooting a kid. He also tells John the Feds have taken over the operation. Hans reveals the FBI cutting the power to the building was all part of his plan to access the safe.

The Johnsons call in airstrike helicopters to attack the building under the guise of picking up passengers from the roof, but Hans plans to blow the roof with everyone on it.

John is wisely suspicious of what’s going on and tells Powell to tell his wife he’s sorry if he doesn’t make it out, making the apology that he has thus far been unable to make in their relationship. Powell tells him he’ll be able to tell her herself. Questioning what Hans was doing on the roof, John returns there to discover all the explosives. He tries to call Powell, but is caught by the terrorist whose brother he killed. While the two duke it out, Hans discovers from a TV interview that Holly is John’s wife and kidnaps her. Again.

As Hans prepares to evacuate and John fights a terrorist, the FBI helicopters approach and the Johnsons discuss their willingness to lose hostages to get the terrorists. Having defeated the terrorist, John learns Hans took Holly from one of her coworkers. He attempts to get the hostages to leave the roof by shooting in the air. The FBI agents begin firing on John thinking he’s a terrorist. Hans blows the roof, destroying the helicopter and killing the FBI agents. John escapes by using a firehose as a bungee cord.

Episode 12: Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 118 minutes (92.9%) – Having survived the exploding roof and helicopter, John goes after Hans. Argyle sees Theo unloading an ambulance from the back of a truck and springs into action. 

John overhears Hans getting rough with Holly. Realizing he’s out of bullets for his machine gun, he sees some Christmas tape and gets an idea.

Act Run Time: 29 minutes (22.8%)

DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION

The character and the forces of antagonism engage in a final confrontation to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.

John confronts Hans, who has Holly in tow, as he and his remaining goons attempt to make their escape. John manages to dispatch the terrorists and free the hostages. Powell draws his gun for the first time since his accident. John and Holly finally reconcile.

ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT

The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal . But just when it seems All is Lost , he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.

Act Start Time: 119 minutes (93.7%)

With two bullets remaining in a gun taped to his back (the longshot) John confronts Hans and his remaining goon (ultimate opposition) to save Holly and stop Hans from escaping (ultimate goal). But when Hans stumbles through the window and tries to take Holly down with him (all is lost), John unclasps Holly’s Rolex, sending Hans plummeting to his death (the final push).

The Longshot: Down to his last two bullets, John tapes a gun to his back to face off with Hans.

Ultimate Goal: Stop Hans from escaping with Holly.

Ultimate Opposition: John faces Hans and his remaining goon in a final showdown.

Episode 13: Here’s the Plan: 119 minutes (93.7%) – Argyle crashes his limo into Theo’s Ambulance and punches him out, effectively thwarting the terrorists’ escape plans. John confronts Hans who has Holly in tow. John, Hans and his remaining goon have a Mexican standoff. Hans explains the brilliance of his plan before commanding John to drop his gun. John distracts Hans long enough to signal Holly to duck and draw the pistol taped to his back. He shoots Hans and his goon in true cowboy fashion. 

Episode 14: Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 122 minutes (96%) – Hans stumbles and crashes through the window but grabs Holly’s arm. John unbuckles the clasp of her Rolex and sends Hans plummeting to his death. 

Weeeee!

Episode 15: Turning Point Five – The Final Push: NA – Combined with Episode 14, when John saves Holly by removing her Rolex, and with Episode 16 when the dead terrorists comes back to life and points a gun at John only to be shot by Powell who has finally drawn his gun.

Act Run Time: 4 minutes (3.1%)

ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION

Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation .

Act Start Time: 123 minutes (96.8%)

Hans and his goons are defeated. John and Holly are reunited (the new situation).

Episode 16: The New Situation: 123 minutes (96.8%): The terrorists are dead. John and Holly reconcile. For the first time since shooting a kid, Powell draws his gun and shoots someone who actually deserves it. Argyle shows up in his limo to take John and Holly off into the proverbial sunset. Instead of the hospital. Because John McClane is a badass.

Act Run Time: 4 minutes (3.1%) 

To learn more about six act structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!
Revolutionize your writing with Actions and Goals!

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How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 3 (Video)

Part 3 of 4 on How to Outline your Story Using Character Actions is live. This video focuses on the Confrontation phase of the story (Dramatic Phase 2) and covers the Central Conflict and Doomed Plan of Acts 3 and 4 in Six Act Structure. Be sure to like and subscribe to the YouTube channel to stay up to date with new video posts! And as always, if you have any questions or comments drop them below or under the video on YouTube!

MD

The post How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 3 (Video) appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Story Structure Analysis: Good Will Hunting

Format: Movie

Released: 1997

Screenplay By: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck

Directed By: Gus Van Sant

Run Time: 122 minutes

Character: Will Hunting

New Role: A therapy patient as well as a man in a serious romantic relationship.

Plot summary of the Good Will Hunting continues below…

Revolutionize your writing with Actions and Goals!
Story Structure Analysis: Good Will Hunting

DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP

All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.

We meet Will and his merry band of hooligans and witness him solving Professor Lambeau’s impossible equation. We learn of Will’s violent tendencies when he brutally beats a man and strikes a cop. He is caught by Lambeau solving the next equation, and the professor vouches for him in court in exchange for Will going to therapy. Will meets Skylar and the two hit it off. Will begins therapy and meets Sean who agrees to treat him.

ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION

A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal . But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation and must assume a New Role .

Will Hunting, a lowly, unambitious janitor ashamed of his prodigious mathematical talents (the imperfect situation) is shunned by a society and system that looks down upon him (oppressive opposition) because he works simple manual labor and gets drunk with his friends (initial goal). But after getting caught solving formulas by Professor Lambeau and being sentenced to jail for hitting a cop (the disturbance), the professor offers to vouch for Will to the judge if he agrees to do math and address his psychological issues (the dilemma) by going to therapy (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Will Hunting is a lower class, twenty-year-old who works as a janitor despite demonstrating prodigious mathematical skill.

His friends are unambitious, blue-collar ruffians who spend their free time drinking beer, chasing skanks and fighting. Will has no family and a criminal record from frequent run-ins with the law.

Initial Goal: Work simple jobs and hang out with Chuckie and the gang.

Oppressive Opposition: Will is looked down upon by the students and faculty of MIT because he’s a lowly janitor. He’s a child of the system, which failed him by placing him with a highly abusive foster father. He’s had frequent run-ins with the law, culminating in him striking a cop and being sentenced to jail.

Statement of the Flaw: The judge tells Will he’s a smart kid but has violent tendencies.

Episode 0: Prologue: NA

Episode 1: Out of Order: 0 minutes – Will leaves in a rundown, one room apartment. He is picked up and driven to his job as a janitor by his best friend Chuckie. We see Will has an affinity for complex math after he spots Professor Lambeau’s supposedly impossible equation, but he keeps this ambition hidden from his friends. Will has no family, other than his buddies.

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 8 minutes (6.5%) – While attending an MIT party, Professor Lambeau receives word that someone solved his equation, but no one steps up to take credit.

Meanwhile, Will gets into a fight with his kindergarten bully and savagely beats him. When the police intervene, Will knees one of them and is arrested. After his release, he goes back to work and solves the next theorem only to be caught by the professor. Will runs away and quits his job. That evening, Will accompanies his friends to a Harvard bar and meets Skylar, who gives him her number.

Very tasty.

Episode 3: Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 22 minutes (18%)

Lambeau goes to the head janitor inquiring about Will and learns he is on probation. He attends Will’s arraignment and witnesses him try to outsmart the judge only to be sentenced to jail. The professor visits Will in jail and tells him he has spoken to the judge who has agreed to release him under his supervision if he agrees to do math and go to counseling.

The New Role: A therapy patient as well as a man in a serious romantic relationship.

Act Run Time: 28 minutes (22.9%)

ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION

The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal. But when he receives a Reality Check, he makes a Commitment to his New Role.

Act Start Time: 28 minutes (22.9%)

Will begins dating a girl, doing math and going to therapy (the unfamiliar situation) with a string of therapists who refuse to treat him (incidental opposition) for his crass attempts to get out of therapy (transitional goal). But when he meets therapist Sean Maguire who’s unlike the others and agrees to treat him despite Will’s provocations (the reality check), Sean points out Will’s fear of life and seems to get through to him (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Will begins doing math with the professor as well as going to therapy on a regular basis. He also begins dating Skylar, which is implied to be his first serious relationship.

Transitional Goal: Do maths. Come to terms with doing therapy.

Incidental Opposition: All of the therapists refuse to see Will after meeting him, but none of them recognize his provocations are a defense mechanism. He inadvertently triggers a violent response from Sean when they first meet.

Episode 4: Rushed Initiation: 28 minutes (22.9%) – Will begins doing maths with Professor Lambeau and goes through a string of psychiatrist due to his insults and inability to take them seriously.

You had me at find it hard.

In a last-ditch effort, Lambeau consults his old college roommate, Sean Maguire who agrees to meet with the boy.

Episode 5: Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 37 minutes (30.3%) – Sean meets Will in their first therapy session. Will tries his usual provocation tactics, but when crosses the line by talking about Sean’s wife and is put in a chokehold. Despite this behavior, or perhaps because of it, Sean agrees to treat him.

Episode 6: Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 43 minutes (35.2%) – Will goes on a date with Skylar and the two hit it off. When Sean next meets with Will he drops some powerful insights. He tells Will he’s not a confident man, but just a scared kid who’s only read books and hasn’t experienced life.

Will seems to take this revelation to heart.

Act Run Time: 23 minutes (18.8%)

 

DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION

The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of success and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.

ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT

The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal . But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth .

Act Start Time: 51 minutes (41.8%)

Will struggles to open up to those closest to him (the central conflict) and begins sabotaging his relationships (intentional opposition) as he gets to know Skylar and does therapy with Sean (false goal). But when Skylar discovers Will lied about his family and Lambeau pushes Will to get a job (the turn), Skylar invites Will to California with her and he breaks up with her (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Will vs. his ability to open up to Sean and Skylar.

False Goal: Get to know Skylar. Go to therapy with Sean.

Intentional Opposition: Will begins sabotaging his relationship with Skylar. Lambeau begins pushing Sean to accelerate Will’s therapy and Will to commit to a path for his life.

Episode 7: Making Progress: 51 minutes (41.8%) – In their fourth session, Will begins talking for the first time, telling a joke about being on a plane. Sean tells Will about how he met his wife and skipped the big game. Will and Skylar begin sleeping together. He agrees to take her to meet his friends and “brothers”.

Episode 8: Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 68 minutes (55.7%) – Skylar (sort of) discovers that Will doesn’t actually have any brothers when he won’t allow her to see where he lives and Chuckie reveals it is a one-room shack.

At a bar, Sean and Lambeau argue over whether Will is ready to begin accepting job offers before he finishes therapy.

Episode 9: Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 82 minutes (67.2%) – Skylar asks Will to come to California with her. Will flips out over this, afraid of what will happen if he goes with her only for her to discovers he isn’t everything she thinks is. She reveals she knows he doesn’t have brothers and he angrily tells her he is an orphan and his foster father abused him. Will tells her he doesn’t love her and leaves.

At his next math session with Lambeau, Will argues with him over the interviews he has set up, and the work he has him doing. Lambeau tells Will he wishes he never met him because then he wouldn’t have to see him throw away his potential.

Act Run Time: 41 minutes (33.6%)

ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN

The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal . But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve .

Act Start Time: 92 minutes (75.4%)

Will attempts not to care about Skylar (the doomed plan) and not to open up to her or Sean (self-inflicted opposition) as he tries to avoid figuring out what he wants to do with his life (penultimate goal). But when Skylar leaves for Cali and Will stops going to his math sessions prompting Lambeau to threaten to report him to the judge (the lowpoint), Chuckie tells Will that he owes it to his friends to do something better with his life than hang out with them (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Will attempts not to care about Skylar

Penultimate Goal: Avoid figuring out what to do with his life.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Will still refuses to open up to Sean about what he wants to do with his life and is subsequently kicked out of his office.

Episode 10: False Sense of Heroism: 92 minutes (75.4%) –

Will has an interview with the NSA and smugly tells them why it would be unconscionable for him to work for them. When he relays this to Sean, he is asked what he wants to do with his life. Sean kicks Will out when he refuses to answer the question honestly. Will gets angry with Sean and accuses him of being scared to move on with his life

Episode 11: Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 98 minutes (80.3%) – Will calls Skylar before she leaves and tells her he is interviewing for jobs. When she tells Will she loves him, he still can’t say it back. Sad music plays as Skylar cries and Will ponders thoughtfully by the river. Skylar leaves for Cali, though she looks for Will at the airport to see her off he doesn’t show.

When Will doesn’t show up for their math session, Lambeau calls Sean and threatens to report Will to the judge.

Episode 12: Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 100 minutes (81.9%) – Will tells Chuckie that Skylar left for Cali a week ago. When Will says he wants to stay in Boston forever, Chuckie tells him he doesn’t owe it to himself to do something with his life, he owes it to his friends. He says he hopes that one day he’ll go to pick Will up in the morning and he’ll be gone to do something with himself.

Act Run Time: 11 minutes (9%)

DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION

The character and the forces of antagonism engage in a final confrontation to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.

ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT

The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal . But just when it seems All is Lost , he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.

Act Start Time: 103 minutes (84.4%)

Sean attempt to have a breakthrough with Will (the longshot) and push through Will’s lifelong defense mechanisms (ultimate opposition) to make Will realize none of the bad things in his childhood are his fault (ultimate goal). But when Lambeau accuses Sean of jealous and allowing Will to be a failure like he is (all is lost), Sean’s compassion and persistence break through to Will and allow him to achieve catharsis (the final push).

The Longshot: Sean attempts to have a breakthrough with Will by telling him about his own abusive childhood, making him accept that his childhood is not his fault.

See, I told you so.

Ultimate Goal: Make Will recognize that it’s not his fault.

Ultimate Opposition: All of Will’s issues come to a head, and he must finally be willing to open up.

Episode 13: Here’s the Plan and Episode 14: Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 103 minutes (84.4%) – Lambeau comes to Sean’s office and complains that Will stopped going to therapy and to his math sessions. Sean tells him he’s making progress with Will but he’s in a very pivotal point of his therapy. Lambeau accuses him of jealousy and being a failure. Will shows up in the middle of their heated debate and Lambeau leaves.

Episode 15: Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 106 minutes (86.8%) – Sean tells Will about his own abusive childhood. Will tells Sean he broke up with Skylar. Sean tells Will that none of the things that have happened are his fault. He repeats it over and over until it gets through to Will and he emotionally embraces it.

Act Run Time: 8 minutes (6.5%)

ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION

Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation .

Act Start Time: 111 minutes (90.9%)

Will has overcome his fear of letting others get close to him and can now move on with his life (the new situation).

Episode 16: The New Situation: 111 minutes (90.9%) – Will return homes very thoughtful. The next day he goes down to a job interview set up by Lambeau. He reports back to Sean that he got the job. It’s revealed that it’s Will last therapy session and he is now a free man. Sean tells Will he’s is also moving on with his life. Sean and Lambeau reconcile and go out for drinks

Will’s friend give him a car for his birthday. As Sean packs up for his trip, Will drops a letter into his mailbox that reveals he is leaving to go after Skylar. That morning, Chuckie discovers Will is gone when he goes to pick him up.

Act Run Time: 11 minutes (9%)

To learn more about six act structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 2 (Video)

I just posted part 2 of my 4 part series on using character actions to structure stories (barely made the February cutoff!). The first video provided an overview of the Three Dramatic Phases (Setup, Confrontation and Resolution), the Six Acts, the Evolving Goal and the Act Turning Points. In this video I break down the first Dramatic Phase: The Setup and the two Acts it contains. Enjoy! Part 3 coming in March.

To learn more about Six Act story structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

Story Structure Analysis: The Matrix (Movie)

Format: Movie

Released: 1999

Written and Directed By: The Wachowskis brothers sisters

Run Time: 129 minutes

Character: Thomas “Neo” “Mr.” Anderson

New Role: A man free from the Matrix/The One, savior of humanity

Plot summary of the 1999 film The Matrix continues below…

Revolutionize your writing with Actions and Goals!
Story Structure Analysis: The Matrix

DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP

All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.

ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION

A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal . But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation and must assume a New Role .

Thomas “Neo” Anderson is a loner leading a meaningless existence (the imperfect situation) and working a dead-end job for a soulless corporation (oppressive opposition) while trying to find Morpheus and unravel the Mystery of the Matrix (initial goal). But when he’s approached by a mysterious woman who knows about his search, and receives a surprise call from Morpheus who warns him of his imminent arrest (the disturbance), Neo must choose between remaining in the life he knows or abandoning his old life (the dilemma) to become one of the few who knows the truth of the Matrix (the new role).

Hook: We meet a leather-clad Trinity who kungfus up some cops with gravity-defying skill, leaving the audience wondering what kind of rules govern this storyworld.

Once the pinnacle of special effects.

The Imperfect Situation: Neo leads a double life as a hacker and a software engineer in a seemingly dead-end job. He doesn’t get out much and doesn’t appear to have any friends.

Initial Goal: Find Morpheus to learn what the Matrix is.

Oppressive Opposition:  Unbeknownst to him, Neo is subjugated by robot overlords. His job and boss are oppressive. The Agents apprehend him at work with little justification.

Episode 0: Prologue: 0 minutes: A leather-clad Trinity is tracked to an abandoned building by the Agents and bluepills thanks to an unnamed informant. She is pursued by agents and narrowly escapes.

Episode 1: Out of Order: 6 minutes (4.6%) – Neo wakes up alone in his apartment to a message on his computer telling him to follow a white rabbit. When his shady client invites him to a nightclub, Neo agrees to go after seeing his girlfriend’s white rabbit tattoo. There, Neo is approached by Trinity who tells him Morpheus can explain what the Matrix is and why Neo feels is obsessed with the feeling there is something off about the world. The next day he oversleeps. When he goes to work late he is reprimanded by his boss.

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 12 minutes (9.3%) – Neo gets a FedEx package from Morpheus who immediately calls him. He warns Neo that the Agents are coming to apprehend him and gives him instructions to escape. When he leads Neo to a scaffold out of a high window, Neo is unable to reach the lift out of fear and turns himself in to the Agents. The agents interrogate Neo, but when he is uncooperative, they place a bug in him.

Episode 3: Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 21 minutes (16.2%) – After awakening from what he thinks is a dream, Neo gets a call from Morpheus who tells him he is the One and asks him to meet. Morpheus’ crew intimidates Neo and he nearly walks away but Trinity convinces him no to. Neo is surprised to learn the bug the Agents put in his stomach is real. They take him to Morpheus who offers him a choice between returning to his old life or learning exactly what the Matrix is.

The New Role: Neo becomes a man free from the Matrix.

Black Mirror.

Act Run Time: 32 minutes (24.8%)

ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION

The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal . But when he receives a Reality Check , he makes a Commitment to his New Role.

Act Start Time: 32 minutes (24.8%)

Neo awakens in the desolate real world (the unfamiliar situation), and faces a series of tests from Morpheus (incidental opposition) as he learns what the Matrix is and how it came to be (transitional goal). But after Neo learns if you die in the Matrix you die for real (the reality check) Morpheus declares it is time to take Neo to the Oracle to learn his destiny (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Neo finds himself in the real world: a future wasteland ruled by robot overlords who have enslaved humanity and driven the remaining humans underground.

Transitional Goal: Learn about the Matrix.

Incidental Opposition: Morpheus’ lesson on the Matrix are designed to test Neo, but not seriously harm him. When the ship is almost attacked by Sentinels, Neo learns that the machines are actively hunting humans but not him specifically. We learn that Cypher intends to betray the crew to be reinserted into the Matrix.

Episode 4: Rushed Initiation: 32 minutes (24.8%) – Neo awakens in a slime bath with tubes all over his body and sees innumerable pods like his own.

“Whoa.”

The tubes are detached by a flying robot and he’s jettisoned into a garbage shoot only to rescued by Morpheus and his crew.

35 minutes: Aboard the Nebuchadnezzar, Morpheus and his crew work to repair Neo’s underdeveloped body.

When he finally wakes up, he’s dressed like a hobo in a spartan chamber. Morpheus tells him they are in the future. He introduces Neo to his crew and takes him into the Construct for the first time. Morpheus gives Neo a rundown of the history of the Matrix, the AI that controls it and how it all came to be.

Episode 5: Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 46 minutes (35.6%) – Tank comes to collect Neo to begin his training. Neo learns several martial arts. Morpheus asks Neo to show him his newfound skills. He next takes Neo into the jump program. When Neo tries to jump between the buildings he fails and gets a lesson on gravity in the jump program. Cypher confronts Trinity when she brings Neo dinner.

Episode 6: Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 56 minutes (43.4%) – The next day, Morpheus takes Neo into the construct and teaches him about Agents and their ability to change bodies. When the ship is almost attacked by Sentinels, Neo learns that the machines are actively hunting humans.

That night, Neo startles Cypher who warns him against all of Morpheus’ “The One” nonsense and tells him to run if he encounters an Agent. Neo seems skeptical of his advice.

The audience next learns that Cypher is working with the Agents to betray Morpheus when he meets Agent Smith in a fancy restaurant. The next day, Morpheus interrupts breakfast with an announcement he is taking Neo to see the Oracle.

Act Run Time: 35 minutes (27.1%)

DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION

The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of success and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.

ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT

The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal . But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth .

Act Start Time: 67 minutes (51.9%)

Neo and his associates have a run in with Agents (the central conflict) who want to kill the crew and capture Morpheus with Cypher’s help (intentional opposition) when he takes Neo to the Oracle to learn his fate (false goal). But when Morpheus sacrifices himself to allow Neo to escape (the turn), Neo realizes the Oracle’s prophecy has come true and resolves to save Morpheus (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Neo and Morpheus’ crew vs. Agent Smith and the Matrix

False Goal: Visit the Oracle to learn if he’s the One.

Intentional Opposition: Cypher double-crosses the crew, gets Morpheus apprehended and tries to murder everyone else, Neo included.

Episode 7: Making Progress: 67 minutes (51.9%) – Morpheus takes Neo to see the Oracle. Neo sees kids levitating blocks and bends a spoon with his mind.

“Only Zuul.”

He talks with the Oracle who confirms he has the gift even if he’s not using it. She tells him Morpheus will attempt to sacrifice his life to save Neo, and that Neo must choose between saving himself and saving Morpheus.

Episode 8: Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 77 minutes (59.6%) – When the group goes to exit the Matrix, the Agents change the building, barring the windows and preventing them from escaping. Mouse is killed first because of course. Morpheus sacrifices himself to save Neo and is captured. Switch and Apoc are unplugged and killed by Cypher. Before Cypher can unplug Neo, Tank shoots him with a laser cannon or something.

Episode 9: Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 91 minutes (70.5%) – The Agents take Morpheus back to base via helicopter. Agent Smith monologues to Morpheus about humanity’s failure and inferiority. As the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar prepares to pull the plug on Morpheus, Neo realizes he can save him based on the Oracle’s advice. Trinity resolves to go with him, but they’ll need guns. Lots of guns.

Act Run Time: 30 minutes (23.2%)

ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN

The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal . But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve .

Act Start Time: 97 minutes (75.1%)

Neo and Trinity re-enter the Matrix (the doomed plan) and lead an assault on Agent headquarters (self-inflicted opposition) to rescue Morpheus (penultimate goal). But when Agent Smith strands Neo in the Matrix, Neo attempts to fight him only to realize he can’t win (the lowpoint/the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Neo saves Morpheus, but gets himself stuck in the Matrix while pursued by Agents.

Penultimate Goal: Rescue Morpheus from the agents.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Neo willingly goes into the Agents stronghold to save Morpheus.

Episode 10: False Sense of Heroism 97 minutes (75.1%): As Agent Smith explains to Morpheus how humanity is a virus, Trinity and Neo prepare to rescue Morpheus, stopping by the Construct to load up on guns and black leather outfits.

“This isn’t enough.”

Neo’s insane plan works. They storm the Agent’s building and narrowly rescue Morpheus in a helicopter. When Neo doesn’t die in the attempt, Morpheus realizes he is truly the One.

(Note: In The Matrix , The Lowpoint and Newfound Resolve are intertwined into a single story episode)

Episode 11: Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 113 minutes (87.5%): Neo gets Morpheus out of the Matrix. Before Trinity exits, she attempts to profess her love to him, but Agent Smith teleports there and shoots the phone just as Trinity escapes, stranding Neo there. Neo resolves to fight Agent Smith fight. He gets in a few good blows, but Agent Smith nearly kills Neo with a subway train.

Agent Smith gets the better of him because Neo is the one holding himself back, just as the Oracle told him.

Episode 12: Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 113 minutes (87.5%) – Neo tells Agent Smith his name is Neo before throwing him into the ceiling and causing him to get hit by a train. When Agent Smith immediately steps out of the train respawned, Neo runs away.

Act Run Time: 22 minutes (17%)

DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION

The character and the forces of antagonism engage in a final confrontation to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.

ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT

The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal . But just when it seems All is Lost , he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.

Act Start Time: 119 minutes (92.2%)

Neo attempts to evade the Agents (the longshot) facing three of them by himself (ultimate opposition) as he tries to escape the Matrix (ultimate goal). But when Agent Smith beats him to the phone room and seemingly kills him (all is lost), Trinity resurrects him with her love, transforming him into the One and allowing him to defeat Agent Smith (the final push).

The Longshot: Neo attempts to evade a trio of agents by himself to escape the Matrix.

Ultimate Goal: Escape the Matrix/Defeat the Agents and become the One.

Ultimate Opposition: Neo is all alone against three agents who are hot on his heels.

Episode 13: Here’s the Plan: 119 minutes (92.2%) – As the Sentinels approach the ship, Morpheus preps the EMP but must wait for Neo to escape to avoid killing him. Neo steals a phone and calls Tank who gives him a new exit to reach and directs him as the agents pursue

Episode 14: Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 122 minutes (94.5%): The Sentinels breach the hull. As Neo enters room 303, Agent Smith shoots him in the chest with a Desert Eagle at point blank range. Dramatic music plays.

Episode 15: Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 123 minutes (95.3%): As the sentinels slice through the ship with their lasers, Trinity tells Neo she loves him and what the Oracle told her. She kisses him and brings him back to life. With his newfound “The One” skills, he easily defeats Agent Smith and scares the other Agents away.

No explanation needed.

Act Run Time: 8 minutes (6.2%)

ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION

Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation .

Act Start Time: 127 minutes (98.4%)

Neo is the One. He and the crew prepare to free others from the Matrix (the new situation).

Episode 16: The New Situation: Neo is now the One. He calls the Matrix and tells them who’s who, before stepping out of the phone booth and flying off like Superman.

Act Run Time: 2 minutes (1.5%)

To learn more about six act structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions: Pt. 1 (Video)

Here’s part one of my four part video series explaining Six Act Structure. This video provides an introduction to the Six Act paradigm and how it works. Enjoy and be on the lookout for part two dropping in February!

MD

To learn more about Six Act story structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

 

How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions (Video)

Here’s part one of my four part video series explaining Six Act Structure. This video provides an introduction to the Six Act paradigm and how it works. Enjoy and be on the lookout for part two dropping in February!

MD

To learn more about Six Act story structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

 

How to Outline Your Story Using Character Actions!

Here’s part one of my four part video series explaining Six Act Structure. This video provides an introduction to the Six Act paradigm and how it works. Enjoy and be on the lookout for part two dropping in February!

MD

To learn more about Six Act story structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!

 

Story Structure Analysis: The Hunger Games (Novel)

Format: Novel

Released: 2008

Written By: Suzanne Collins

Run Time: 27 chapters

Character: Katniss Everdeen

Plot summary of the 2008 novel The Hunger Games continues below…

Revolutionize your writing with Actions and Goals!

Story Structure Analysis: The Hunger Games







DRAMATIC PHASE ONE: THE SETUP

All of the main characters are introduced. The story world and its mechanics are established. Foundations are laid for the main throughline, subplots and central conflict.

ACT ONE: DEALING WITH AN IMPERFECT SITUATION

A character in an Imperfect Situation faces Oppressive Opposition as he pursues an Initial Goal . But when there is a Disturbance to his routine, he faces a Dilemma regarding his situation and must assume a New Role .

Katniss Everdeen, an impoverished teen in the poorest region of the country (the imperfect situation), must defy the laws of the Capitol (oppressive opposition) to provide food for her mother and little sister, Prim (initial goal). But when the government holds the reaping (the disturbance), and Prim’s name is selected (the dilemma), Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games as the tribute for District 12 (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: We learn in the first chapter Katniss is a poor, mud-crusted peasant. Her family and most other residents of her District live on the brink of starvation. We also learn she has a sweet, innocent kid sister, upon whom she seems to have imparted none of her survival skills.

Initial Goal: Katniss wants to hunt squirrels and pick berries with her buddy Gale, so their families don’t starve.

Oppressive Opposition: Through Katniss’ eyes, we discover the citizens of District 12 live under severe oppression from the Capital. Their lives are kept in a medieval stasis and there is scarcely enough food to go around. Deaths from starvation are common. As a result, Katniss must sneak through the fence constructed by the Capital to access the woods, where she can hunt the abundant, yet illegal game contained within. The Capitol will likely execute her if she is caught, but a gal’s gotta do what a gal’s gotta do.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance:  Katniss and the rest of District 12 attend the reaping ceremony in the town square, where one of the District’s children will be selected to participate in the 74th annual Hunger Games.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: Start Time: After 1 of 27 Chapters (3.7%) – Despite her name only being entered once, Katniss’ sister, Prim is selected as tribute for District 12. Katniss is initially too shocked to do anything. She must choose between letting her sister go off to die in the Games, and volunteering to die in her place.

The New Role: If Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s place, she will become a tribute in the Games.

Act Run Time: 2 of 27 Chapters (7.4%)

ACT TWO: LEARNING THE RULES OF AN UNFAMILIAR SITUATION

The character Learns the Rules of an Unfamiliar Situation and faces Incidental Opposition in pursuit of a Transitional Goal . But when he receives a Reality Check , he makes a Commitment to his New Role.

Act Start Time: minutes (%)

Katniss sees how others live as she passes through the other Districts to the Capitol (the unfamiliar situation) and bumps heads with her coaches and fellow tributes (incidental opposition) as she begins learning how to survive the Games (the transitional goal). But when she has a botched scoring session with the Gamemakers and thinks Peeta is trying to manipulate her (the reality check), he confesses his love for her in an interview and locks her into their star-crossed love angle (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Katniss is swept away in a train and taken toward the strange and mysterious Capitol. She sees a side of life and the world she has never before seen. She also begins to prepare for her fight to the death with people she doesn’t know (and one she does).

Transitional Goal: Learn how to survive the Hunger Games.

Incidental Opposition: Katniss bumps heads with Haymitch (who thinks she and Peeta will pretty much roll over and die), Effie (who thinks Katniss is being ungrateful for the wonderful opportunity she’s been presented with), Peeta (with whom she has a complicated history), and the “Careers” (tributes from the wealthier Districts who are just dying to kill someone). With the exception of the Careers, none of these people are out to thwart Katniss’ success. In fact, they are trying to help her.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: Frustrated by their inattentiveness, Katniss fires an arrow at the Gamemakers during her scoring session. This earns her an unprecedented tribute score of 11 and makes her a target for the careers. Soon after, she learns Peeta has asked to be coached separately.

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: Start Time: After 8 of 27 Chapters (29.6%) – During her interview with Caesar, Katniss feels a resurgence of her resolve when she recalls the promise she made to Prim that she would win the Games. She makes an internal commitment to her New Role as a tribute.

During Peeta’s interview, he reveals to Caesar the girl he is in love with from District 12 came to the Games with him. Though Katniss is initially furious at this revelation, Haymitch explains to her that Peeta has made her appear desirable, something she has been unable to do on her own. Now, Peeta and Katniss become the epitome of tributes in the games. The star-crossed love angle, which Katniss is inadvertently committed to, makes them an audience favorite.

Act Run Time: 1 of 61 Chapters (3.7%)

DRAMATIC PHASE TWO: CONFRONTATION

The character is thrown in the middle of the Central Conflict and is placed at direct odds with the forces of antagonism. He undergoes a series of success and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.

ACT THREE: STUMBLING INTO THE CENTRAL CONFLICT

The character stumbles into the Central Conflict and faces Intentional Opposition in pursuit of a False Goal . But when there is a grave Turn of events, he has a Moment of Truth .

Act Start Time:  After 9 of 27 Chapters (33.3%)

After the Games begin, Katniss tries to survive the attacks of the other tributes (the central conflict) who want to kill her (intentional opposition) before she can win the Games alone (the false goal). But when she discovers Peeta is working with the careers, and severely burns her leg (the turn), she uses a tracker jacker nest to attack the careers, is saved by Peeta and obtains a bow and arrows enabling her to fight back (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Katniss faces the external conflict of the other tributes in the Games, as well as the internal conflict of her feelings toward Peeta. She’s not just battling the other tributes; she’s battling to maintain her humanity.

False Goal: Katniss attempts to Survive the Games alone, but this is not the Ultimate Goal. If Peeta were to die in the arena, it would likely haunt her forever.

Intentional Opposition: Now that the Games have begun, “The Girl on Fire” is an, ahem, hot target for both the Gamemakers and the other tributes.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: Katniss discovers Peeta is working with the careers to hunt her down. What a douche. Shortly thereafter, her leg is severely burned, and she bumps into the Careers who chase her up a tree like a pack of bloodthirsty hounds.

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: After 13 of 27 Chapters (48.1%) – Thanks to Rue who she befriended in training, Katniss sees and plots to use a tracker jacker nest against the Careers. She saws off the nest and drops it on the unsuspecting careers, proving to herself she is willing to kill to survive. She is stung by the tracker jackers in the process but manages to grab a bow and arrows before she succumbs to the venom. Peeta also reveals his true nature by shaking her awake and telling her to run while the Careers are distracted.

When Katniss awakens from the venom, she realizes Peeta saved her life. More importantly, she has a bow and arrows and decides to fight back against Cato and the Careers.  She teams up with Rue, and the two concoct an offensive plan; they will destroy the supplies the Careers have hoarded to make them hungry, seeing as it’s the Hunger Games and all.

Act Run Time: 6 of 27 Chapters (22.2%)

ACT FOUR: IMPLEMENTING A DOOMED PLAN

The character implements a Doomed Plan and faces Self-Inflicted Opposition in pursuit of a Penultimate Goal . But when an unthinkable Lowpoint occurs, he pulls himself together and discovers a Newfound Resolve .

Act Start Time: After 15 of 27 Chapters (55.5%)

Katniss forms an alliance with Rue to attack the Careers (the doomed plan) and nearly gets herself blown up (self-inflicted opposition) while trying to destroy the careers supplies (the penultimate goal). But when Rue is trapped in a net and killed by one of the Career (the lowpoint), the Gamemakers announce a rule change allowing Peeta and Katniss to win the Games together (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Katniss and Rue plan to attack the Careers by destroying their supplies. While they do succeed in their objective, their plan leads to Rue being captured and murdered at the hands of the Careers.

Penultimate Goal: Katniss and Rue attempt to destroy the supplies the Careers have hoarded.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Katniss figures out the Careers supplies are guarded by mines. She targets a bag of apples with her arrows to trigger them, nearly blowing herself up in the process. Katniss’ plan ends up getting Rue killed. Way to go, Katniss. It’s probably for the best since only one of them could have survived anyway.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: Rue gets trapped in a net and killed by another tribute. I nearly shed a tear. Afterward, Katniss wanders about in a fog wondering how she should proceed. It would seem it has all been for naught.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: Start Time: After 17 of 27 Chapters (62.9%) – The announcer, um, announces that not only is Peeta alive, but he and Katniss can win the Games together! She makes the decision that she will do any and everything to find Peeta and win the Games with him. Rue who?!

Act Run Time:  3 of 27 Chapters (11.1%)

DRAMATIC PHASE THREE: RESOLUTION

The character and the forces of antagonism engage in a final confrontation to resolve the Central Conflict. The main throughline and all additional subplots are resolved. The new status quo is established.

ACT FIVE: TRYING A LONGSHOT

The character tries a Longshot and faces Ultimate Opposition while trying to accomplish the Ultimate Goal . But just when it seems All is Lost , he makes a Final Push against the forces of antagonism and either succeeds or fails.

Act Start Time: After 18 of 27 Chapters (66.6%)

Katniss tries to find Peeta and get medicine to nurse him back to health (the longshot) while facing off with the remaining tributes in the Cornucopia (ultimate opposition), so she and Peeta can win the Games together (the ultimate goal). But when the Gamemakers drive them out of their love nest and sick the muttations on them (all is lost), Katniss and Peeta face off with the last remaining tribute and outsmart the Capitol with nightlock berries to win the Games as a team (the final push).

The Longshot: Katniss attempts to find Peeta and nurse him back to health.

Ultimate Goal: Katniss and Peeta will try to win the Games together.

Ultimate Opposition: Katniss manages to find Peeta, but he is badly injured and nearly dead. The Gamemakers try to lure all the remaining tributes into a showdown at the Cornucopia, by offering them each something they need. Peeta refuses to let Katniss go, but knowing he will die from his wounds if she doesn’t, Katniss gives him a sleeping elixir and sneaks out.

With Peeta unconscious, Katniss goes to the Cornucopia and faces the other tributes. She is severely wounded in the confrontation and barely makes it back to Peeta. She injects him with the medicine and passes out.

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: Katniss and Peeta awaken to find the stream outside their cave has dried up. They realize the Gamemakers are driving them toward the lake for a bloody fight to the death, and they can no longer lie around and wait for the other tributes to kill each other. The two resolve to end it all that day. As they approach the lake, the last remaining tribute, Cato, surprises them by bursting into the clearing. Katniss realizes he isn’t attacking, but running from creatures the Gamemakers have unleashed to kill them all.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: After 24 of 27 Chapters (88.8%) – Cato bursts into the clearing being chased by creatures Katniss calls muttations. Cato, Katniss and Peeta climb onto the Cornucopia. As Peeta and Katniss fight off the pack, Cato gets Peeta in a headlock. Peeta signals for Katniss to shoot Cato’s hand and he knocks Cato over the side into the wolf pack. When the Gamemakers refuse to let the muttations kill Cato, Katniss shoots him with an arrow as an act of mercy.

With only Katniss and Peeta left, the Gamemakers revoke their previous rule change and announce there can now only be one winner. Gambling on a last resort, Katniss and Peeta prepare to eat the poisoned nightlock berries, but the announcer interrupts and declares them both the victors.

Act Run Time: 7 of 27 Chapters (25.9%)

ACT SIX: LIVING IN A NEW SITUATION

Having accomplished (or failed to have accomplished) the Ultimate Goal, the character is shown living in a New Situation .

Act Start Time: After 25 of 27 Chapters (92.5%)

Having beaten the Capitol at their own game (literally), Katniss and Peeta give TV interviews before being taken back to District 12 to start their new lives.

The New Situation: Haymitch tells Katniss the Capitol is furious over her theatrics with the nightlock berries. She realizes the most dangerous part of the Games has yet to begin, and she will likely have to suffer through a sequel. Katniss and Peeta appear on the reunion show and continue to play up their relationship, attending a bittersweet victory banquet afterward. The pair is taken by train back to their District where they discuss how Peeta thought their love was real and Katniss didn’t. Burn.

Act Run Time: 2 of 27 Chapters (7.4%)

To learn more about six act structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today!