So for fun, debate and discussion, I've been inspired after reading Blake's SAVE THE CAT to combine all of the other structures I know of, into one big fat outline, using the SAVE THE CAT fifteen point method as the skeleton to bridge a whole story.
Viki Kings, Chris Vogler (thank you JC), Blake Snyder, John Truby, Michael Hauge and our own Deus have all be inspirations for the list.
I will say this does lean more towards the typical HERO-style story as per Voglers book (see that for descriptions of sequences), but I think it's obvious that it can be applied to any story.
I'm curious what the folks here have to make of it, and whether anyone can see any room for improvement or have any concerns about it.
A big thanks to Phatgirl for allowing me to bounce this many times off her!
Enjoy.
BEAT SHEET
Title:
Logline:
Theme:
Internal & External Issue (MDQ):
Logline:
Theme:
Internal & External Issue (MDQ):
Opening Image (page1)
• State opening with important imagery. Establish TIME, LOCATION, MOOD/TONE.
Theme Stated (pg5)
• Pose THEME question.
Set-Up (pgs 1-10)
• Show the hero in his/her ordinary world.
• What is the story about (foundation of premise).
• Whose story is it (establish HERO)?
• What is their internal ISSUE? (mental problem/ wound/ scar)
• What do they want (GOAL)?
• What’s stopping them from getting it?
• Make them likeable/relatable.
• Make the audience care about them (SAVE THE CAT method).
• What is the story about (foundation of premise).
• Whose story is it (establish HERO)?
• What is their internal ISSUE? (mental problem/ wound/ scar)
• What do they want (GOAL)?
• What’s stopping them from getting it?
• Make them likeable/relatable.
• Make the audience care about them (SAVE THE CAT method).
Catalyst (pg12)
• Inciting Incident. Call to Adventure. Event presented to them to start the story.
Debate about Goal (pgs 12-25)
• Discussion of GOAL.
• Refusal of CATALYST.
• Mentor ENCOURAGES.
• Establish the stakes here too. (What happens if the hero doesn't reach their goal?)
• Establish NEMISIS.
• The MDQ is posed. The point at which we "see" what will happen in the rest of the movie, and we know the movie will be over when the MDQ is answered.
• Refusal of CATALYST.
• Mentor ENCOURAGES.
• Establish the stakes here too. (What happens if the hero doesn't reach their goal?)
• Establish NEMISIS.
• The MDQ is posed. The point at which we "see" what will happen in the rest of the movie, and we know the movie will be over when the MDQ is answered.
Break into Two/ Final Commitment to Goal (pg25)
• They pledge to story GOAL and promise to topple MDQ. The mission is ON!
Fun and Games & Trailer Moments (pgs30-55)
• Plot B (sub-plot) often linked with THEME.
• TESTS (FUN and GAMES) & Promise of the Premise & Set Pieces.
• ALLIES.
• ENEMIES appear.
• Give clue to ARC through MDQ.
• The POINT OF NO RETURN – THEY STOP REACTING - AND ACT/ "no going back"
• Change
• TESTS (FUN and GAMES) & Promise of the Premise & Set Pieces.
• ALLIES.
• ENEMIES appear.
• Give clue to ARC through MDQ.
• The POINT OF NO RETURN – THEY STOP REACTING - AND ACT/ "no going back"
• Change
Midpoint (pg55)
• Low point. False victory. MDQ in serious doubt. Story flipped/re-directed. Often the point where a TIME CLOCK or TICKING CLOCK method is introduced.
Bad Boys Close In (pgs55-75)
• HERO bands together and gets pumped with PLAN OF ATTACK for GOAL.
• Approach the Inner Cave.
• Bad Guys “Evil Plan” is put in motion.
• Complications/higher stakes.
• HERO makes some progress (REWARD).
• Plot B - evidence of growth and change but perhaps still not committed.
• HERO discovery of BETRAYL.
• HERO learns of “Evil Plan”.
• Chase/escape/setbacks --> act 2 climax.
• Approach the Inner Cave.
• Bad Guys “Evil Plan” is put in motion.
• Complications/higher stakes.
• HERO makes some progress (REWARD).
• Plot B - evidence of growth and change but perhaps still not committed.
• HERO discovery of BETRAYL.
• HERO learns of “Evil Plan”.
• Chase/escape/setbacks --> act 2 climax.
All is Lost (pg75)
• Everything fails and blows up big-time in their face (due to EVIL PLAN or due to the hero's goal or plan being the wrong goal or plan). Tie in with PLOT B failure.
Dark Night of the Soul (pgs 75-85)
• HERO is at their lowest point. Suicide? Smell of fear...
• The hero is confronted with a choice here whether to stay in the special world or return to the ordinary world.
• The hero discovers a hidden truth about the nature of the obstacle to his goal/ re-frame for three.
• The hero is confronted with a choice here whether to stay in the special world or return to the ordinary world.
• The hero discovers a hidden truth about the nature of the obstacle to his goal/ re-frame for three.
Break into Three (pg 85)
• Dedication to resolving problem, and they have “Eureka” moment. (The hero finally realizes he/she's been going about things in the wrong way.)
• Rebirth / Hero sets out to answer the MDQ.
• Rebirth / Hero sets out to answer the MDQ.
Finale Showdown (pgs85-110)
• Establish NEW PLAN OF ACTION.
• Prepare for NEW PLAN OF ACTION.
• Implement NEW PLAN OF ACTION.
• Plot B tie-in (character(s) CHANGE and it often helps with FINAL GOAL).
• Hero confronts an obstacle greater than ever imagined. Must overcome the internal need/flaw to succeed.
• HERO wins/ defeats NEMISIS.
• Prepare for NEW PLAN OF ACTION.
• Implement NEW PLAN OF ACTION.
• Plot B tie-in (character(s) CHANGE and it often helps with FINAL GOAL).
• Hero confronts an obstacle greater than ever imagined. Must overcome the internal need/flaw to succeed.
• HERO wins/ defeats NEMISIS.
Final Curtain (pg110)
• Hero's resurrection.
• Plot-B: Scene showing full character growth of HERO.
• Plot-B: Scene showing full character growth of HERO.
EJ
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