Three+Act+Story

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All short films can be broken into a basic 3 Act structure that maps out the action in a film. **1st The Setup**- > This is where you establish the location, characters and conflict that will be the main focus of your film. A character is confronted with a problem and now they must rise to the challenge. Example: A stressed student in a video class has just realized he has left his camera unattended in the spirit court. **2nd** **The Maze**- > This is a series of problems or obstacles your main character will need to deal with in the pursuit of solving their problem. Example: First the student sees the bag, must sneak out of class, see someone in the parking lot with the gear and corner him. **3rd The Feeling**: > This is when you give some type of resolution to your problem. Think of what you want your audience to feel at the end of your movie. Do you want laughter, compassion, anger, frustration….What happens to your character? Sometimes there is a twist or unexpected outcome as well….Example: The thief ends up being revealed as Mr. Bigue, who was trying to teach the student a lesson about leaving their gear. > **Directions:** **Pre-production** > **STEP 1**: Brainstorm a short story idea of 1-3 minutes using the 3 Act structure referred to in the Setup, Maze, and the Feeling about an object of any kind. This might be a pencil, cellphone, rock, car, backpack, etc.  Consider all that you can do to explore that objects pain, frustaton and challenges in life; make these the challenges the object confronts in the film. > Some suggestions:
 * “The Setup, Maze and Feeling”- 3 Act Story **
 * Try to make it as active as you can.
 * Keep it limited to 1 or 2 characters.
 * Consider a setting/location you can control and will help the film.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Start with a basic flow chart to illustrate the moments/actions that lead to the climax.**

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A character discovers something.....

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A character lies....and there are consequences-

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A characters fixed ideas are challenged---or shattered-

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A character completely misreads a situation--there are consequences. > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A character experiences love at first sight and ... > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A character must confront their worst fear... > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Directions**: Create a brainstorm sheet that places the object your are interested in creating a short film about in the center of the page and list the following details about your object: > > <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**STEP 2**: Create a short 1 to 2 page<span class="wiki_link_ext"> Treatment or description of your story- Get this approved before moving on to two column script. > > **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STEP 3 **: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Convert your treatment to a <span class="wiki_link_ext">2 Column Shooting Script that details the Audio/Dialog as well as the Shots you will be using in your film- > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**STEP 4: Production**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are 5 Things your object LOVES!
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are 5 Action or things you object HATES!!
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What would the objects worst day in the world be like?
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What would the objects best day look like?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a rough draft of what will be your script or 2 column script.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Write in the present tense.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Include as much action as possible.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consider the best coverage for the most dramatic shots in the film: where does the camera need to be or show to tell the story.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 column script should include at least 25 shots minimum
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Include numbers and abbreviated shots descriptions for each shot-
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Create slug lines for each scene/location change: Ex: SCENE 1- INT: BEDROOM, DAY
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Practice or "block" your shots before actually recording them.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When ready to shoot, Call “Standby on set”, “Rolling”, “Action”….and remember to leave a second or two then call “Cut”.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make sure that each shot is long enough to communicate the intent or message you want to give your audience. Don't leave blank tape between shots.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All people in each crew must participate to receive full credit.
 * 5) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Everyone must use a tripod for all shots** except for those requiring dollying or trucking.
 * 6) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**All the shots described in the sample should be incorporated in your script.**

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING Requirements:**

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TRACKING SHOT, <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">360 DEGREE TRUCK <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PAN <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TILT <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PEDASTAL || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bird’s Eye/ High Angle <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Worm’s Eye/ Low Angle <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Slanted Horizon <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Profile <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reverse Angle <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Front/ Forward Angle || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Rack focus between 2 objects along the z-axis- remember to use a narrow angle zoom postion or the shot will not work. || 1. Choose locatons that help tell your story. 2. Control details in the background and avoid objects or people that are not part of the story. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Include props or wardrobe that help develop character and tell the story. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**[|Eyeline Match]**- character's eyes look and the camer reveals. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**[|Match Action Cuts]**- a type of continuity editing that cuts action from different camera shots so they blend together on the action. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**[|Coverage]-** show one action from multiple perspectives to increase the dramatic impact. || > **STEP 5: Submit the Final Project and Critique** 1. Once done, please have the project checked off by and export as a full res quicktime movie. 2. Transfer the file over the network to the "Video Main" folder for your period. 3. Use the following critique guidelines to reflect on the challenges you had with the project.short film critique
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**FIELD OF VIEW-** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**CAMERA MOVEMENT** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Camera Height and Angle** ||
 * * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Shot Variety- ELS / LS / MS / MCU / CU / ECU**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rule of Thirds Framing || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">DOLLY
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**CAMERA BLOCKING** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Mis En Scene/ Props** || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Editing Concepts** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Deep focus shot with foreground and background