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"A movie, I think, is really only four or five moments between two people; the rest of it exists to give those moments their impact and resonance. The script exists for that. Everything does." – Robert Towne
When breaking down a film’s structure, generally speaking, “The Eight Sequences” framework is the standard: two in Act One, four in Act Two, and two in Act Three.
But the number 8 is only part of the equation. If the sequences are what shape a screenplay’s three-act structure, then the five major plot points are the building blocks behind sequence construction: Inciting Incident, Lock In, Midpoint, Main Culmination, and Third Act Twist.
Each analysis of selected features breaks the film down to the essential 5 major plot points, time code of when each plot point occurs included.
Screenplay Genre: Sci-Fi / Western Movie Time: 135 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT The desolate west, after Civil War. A man…
Screenplay Genre: Crime / Comedy Movie Time: 104 minutes Bridget Cardigan (Diane Keaton) is a middle-aged lady who lives in…
Screenplay Genre: Crime / Romantic / Comedy Movie Time: 107 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT A group of criminals rob a…
Screenplay Genre: Musical Romance Film Time: 114 minutes Tony Manero (John Travolta) is a pretty, interesting Italian American boy who…
Screenplay Genre: Sci-Fi / Adventure Movie Time: 169 minutes The earth is withering. Duststorm and blight are spreading across the…
Screenplay Genre: Action Movie Time: 93 minutes Vietnam ex-soldier John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) has been drifting around America since he…
Screenplay Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure / Drama Movie Time: 112 minutes A spaceship is traveling in the far, undiscovered…
Screenplay Genre: Romantic, Drama, Comedy Movie Time: 128 minutes The New York Airports are always busy. Every day thousands of…
Screenplay Genre: Action / Sci-Fi Movie Time: 113 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT Major Cage meets with General Brigham. The General…
Screenplay Genre: Science Fiction / Horror Movie Time: 115 minutes 1. INCITING INCIDENT In the far future, a commercial starship…
