Marshall Dotson's Blog

Format: Movie

Released: 2022

Written and Directed By: Rian Johnson

Run Time: 131 minutes

Character:  Benoit Blanc. Helen “Andi” Brand

New Role: Blanc becomes an observer to Miles Bron’s group of disruptors. Helen becomes an undercover detective and avenger of her sister.

Plot summary of the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: Glass OnionDRAMATIC 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 .

Detective Benoit Blanc is losing his mind from boredom (the imperfect situation) due to the pandemic lockdown (oppressive opposition) and his desire for a stimulating case (initial goal). But when tech billionaire Miles Bron sends puzzle box invitations to his circle of friends (the disturbance), Blanc receives one of the boxes (the dilemma) and is invited to Miles’ island as a guest (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: The world is in pandemic lockdown. Birdie is fresh off a race-related Twitter scandal. Miles is pushing Lyle to approve a volatile energy source. Blanc is going stir-crazy, spending hours on end in the bath. Behind the scenes, Andi was betrayed by her business partner Miles and their group of friends who lied to the court on his behalf. Shortly before the movie starts she was found dead. 

Initial Goal: Blanc needs a case to occupy his prodigious mind.

Oppressive Opposition: The COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing and the world is in lockdown. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 10 minutes (7.6%) – While the film opens with all of the disruptors enthusiastically receiving a mystery box from Miles, when “Andi” receives her box she is instead enraged by it. Instead of solving it, she smashes it to pieces with a hammer, revealing the invitation card from Miles. 

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 11 minutes (8.3%) – Blanc plays Among Us (poorly) with celebrities. As he laments that he’s going insane from not having a case to stimulate his mind, he receives a mysterious visitor with a box. 

The full extent of this turning point isn’t revealed until the Moment of Truth at the end of Act Three when we learn Helen Brand hires Blanc to go to Miles’ island. 

The New Role: On the surface, Blanc becomes a guest on Miles’ island. In actuality, he and Helen become investigators in the death of Andi Brand. 

Act Run Time: 13 minutes (9.9%)

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: 13 minutes (9.9%)

Blanc doesn’t know or fit in with Miles’ friends (the unfamiliar situation) and seems to be out of his depth (incidental opposition) as he tries to learn why he was invited (transitional goal). But when Miles reveals he didn’t invite Blanc (the reality check), Blanc seems to suspect someone had an ulterior motive for bringing him to the island (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: On the surface, Blanc is the odd man out at an exclusive gathering of a wealthy group of celebrities and industrialists. 

Transitional Goal: Initially it seems Blanc simply wants to know why he has been invited to Miles’ island when the two have never met. Surreptitiously, He and Helen are trying to determine which of the disruptors had sufficient motive to kill her sister. 

Incidental Opposition: Blanc appears to be out of place with these rich celebrity types. Thinking she is Andi, all of the disruptors are outright hostile to Helen. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 24 minutes (18.3%) – Shortly after everyone arrives on the island, Miles pulls Blanc aside and reveals he didn’t send him an invitation. 

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 31 minutes (23.6%) – Miles explains to Blanc why their group is called the disruptors, obliviously offending them. Andi gives a counterargument about how they’re all in debt to Miles. No one objects and she storms off. Afterward, Claire tells Lyle something is off with Andi. Peg confronts Miles about the statement he wants Birdie to make, but he makes it clear she has no other choice. Blanc is revealed to have been hiding within earshot. He next sees Duke running through the garden. He spies on Duke watching Miles and Whiskey have an affair behind his back. 

Although we’re treated to a couple of big speeches from Miles and Andi for dramatic purposes, and witness Miles and Whiskey’s affair, the true Commitment turning point and goal change of this act aren’t revealed until about the 85-minute mark in Act Four. In between the pool scenes and the murder mystery dinner, we learn Helen gathers evidence that each of the disruptors had a motive to back Miles. Blanc tells her whoever has the envelope killed her sister and that she has to find a legitimate reason to storm out of the dinner party to search everyone’s rooms. 

Act Run Time: 27 minutes (20.6%) 

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.

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: 40 minutes (30.5%) 

Blanc is put at odds with a murderer (the central conflict), who seems to be willing to kill anyone (intentional opposition), to preserve their identity (false goal). And when Duke is violently poisoned and Andi is shot (the turn), Blanc reveals there’s more to his being on the island than he led on (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Blanc and Helen vs. the murderer

False Goal: Blanc would seem to be trying to figure out who invited him to the island and why, but unbeknownst to the audience, he and Helen are trying to determine which of the disruptors killed Andi. Helen is tasked with finding the napkin envelope.

Intentional Opposition: Miles demonstrates he is willing to kill again to protect his interests. He kills Duke to conceal what he now thinks was his attempted murder of Andi and attempts to kill Andi again. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 53 minutes (40.4%) – After dinner, with Miles’ mystery game ruined, everyone debates whether to leave the next day. Miles enthusiastically convinces everyone to stay and party. Shortly after Duke shows Miles something on his phone, the former begins choking and dies suddenly and acutely. Due to the nature of his death, Blanc suspects foul play. 

Lionel informs the group the police can’t come until dawn because of Miles’ non-buoyant, below-tide dock. Miles points out to the group that Duke drank from Miles’ glass and suspects he was the intended target. The group notices Duke’s phone and gun are missing before the lights shut off as a part of what Miles says was part of the mystery game. Blanc finds Andi outside but before he can explain what’s happening she is shot and killed by an unseen assailant. He rounds the remaining guests back inside and begins sharing his theory on who killed her. 

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 70 minutes (53.4%) – The story flashes back to Blanc in the bathtub. Andi’s twin sister Helen arrives at his house with the news of her sister’s suicide which she believes was murder. She uncovered an email Andi sent to the disruptors a day before she was murdered. She wants to hire him to go to the island but Blanc proposes she go with him, posing as Andi. 

When they meet in Greece, Helen tells Blanc how Andi brought the friend group together when they were all struggling to accomplish their goals and how Miles played a part in kickstarting their careers, culminating in Andi and Miles founding Alpha. Miles eventually cuts Andi out of the company when she refuses to back his interest in Klear and pays the disruptors to lie on his behalf under oath that he came up with the founding idea for Alpha. Andi loses the case, but afterward, finds the original napkin with the company idea and emails the group threatening to expose their perjury. Blanc tells Helen they need to find out which of them had a strong enough motive to commit murder for Miles and to determine each of their whereabouts on the night of her death. Helen admits she’s afraid. Blanc tells her this is her last chance to back out. 

Act Run Time: 30 minutes (22.9%) 

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: 85 minutes (64.8%)

Helen and Blanc find clues pointing to everyone (the doomed plan) when Helen comes to the island disguised as her sister (self-inflicted opposition) to find a motive for Andi’s murder (penultimate goal). But when Helen doesn’t find the envelope and is seemingly shot and killed (the lowpoint), Andi’s journal stops the bullet and Blanc fakes her death to buy her time to search the glass onion (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Helen’s investigation seems to end in her failing to find the envelope and being murdered.

Penultimate Goal: Figure out which of the disruptors had a motive to kill Andi.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Helen willingly goes to a private island posing as her twin sister who one of the guests tried to kill. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 100 minutes (76.3%) – Helen commences ransacking rooms but is interrupted by messages on her phone informing her news of Andi’s death has broken. Whiskey stumbles upon Andi in her room and attacks her when she thinks Andi killed Duke. Helen runs away and into Blanc, who tells her they only need one more piece of information, but Helen is shot and seemingly killed by an unseen gunman.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 105 minutes (80.1%) – Helen is revealed to have survived the gunshot thanks to Andi’s diary. Blanc has the idea to use Jeremy Renner’s hot sauce to convince the would-be killer that Andi is dead. He will take the others inside and distract them, giving Helen time to search the glass onion for the napkin. 

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (16%)

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: 106 minutes (80.9%)

Helen searches the last remaining room in the house (the longshot) while Blanc unravels all of the clues from a seemingly intelligent killer (ultimate opposition) in order to expose them with evidence  (ultimate goal). But when Miles destroys the napkin and Helen’s proof (all is lost), she uses his wonder fuel to destroy the glass onion and the Mona Lisa, exposing him as a fraud (the final push).

The Longshot: Helen searches the last room the envelope could be in, the glass onion itself. Blanc uses the clues to piece together the identity of Andi’s killer

Ultimate Goal: Find the envelope and expose the killer.

Ultimate Opposition: Helen and Blanc expose Miles but he destroys the evidence and convinces his loyal followers to continue to lie on his behalf. 

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 117 minutes (89.3%) – Gloating, Helen shows Miles Andi’s napkin, which he promptly uses a lighter to incinerate. Despite himself, Blanc tells Helen that without that evidence they don’t have a case and none of the disruptors will agree to back her story. 

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 120 minutes (91.6%) – Blanc gives Helen a drink for courage and reminds her why Andi left the company in the first place. Helen begins smashing up all the glass figurines placed around the room. After a beat, the others join in but Helen doesn’t stop. She begins destroying larger and larger things before taking Miles’ lighter and setting the bar on fire. She reveals Blanc also gave her the sample of Klear and tosses it into the fire. The hydrogen gas ignites the ventilation system and blows up the glass onion. With the room in flames, Helen moves to deactivate the fire shield on the Mona Lisa. Miles and the others try to stop her, but she presses the safety override destroying the painting.

Act Run Time: 22 minutes (16.7%) 

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: 128 minutes (97.7%)

Helen and Blanc solve the mystery of Andi’s murder, Miles Bron is ruined, and the disruptors turn on him to save themselves (the new situation).

The New Situation: Helen explains to Miles that his career and legacy are ruined since his fuel of the future just destroyed the most famous painting in the world. The other disruptors turn on him, saying they will expose his lies and murders. As the police boats approach the island, Helen tells Blanc that they got the SOB. 

Act Run Time: 128 minutes (97.7%) – A furious Miles confronts Helen outside. She congratulates him on his fuel of the future barbequing the most famous painting in the world and tells him he is ruined. The other disruptors admit to seeing Miles burning the napkin, taking Duke’s gun, and driving away from Andi’s house the night she was murdered.

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

The post Story Structure Analysis: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Format: Movie

Released: 2001

Screenplay By: Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Run Time: 103 minutes

Character(s): Royal, Etheline, Richie, Chas and Margot Tenenbaum. And Eli Cash. And Henry Sherman. And Raleigh St. Clair.

New Role: A Family Man

Plot summary of The Royal Tenenbaums continues below…

 

Story Structure Analysis: The Royal TenenbaumsDRAMATIC 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 .

Estranged father Royal Tenenbaum (the imperfect situation) is ordered to vacate his hotel (oppressive opposition) and must find somewhere else to live (initial goal). But when he learns his ex-wife may be planning to remarry (the disturbance), he fakes a terminal illness (the dilemma) to be able to spend time with his family (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Royal Tenenbaum has been estranged from his wife Etheline and their children for decades. Though he and Ethel are separated, they never divorced and she has never made an attempt to remarry. While their three children were heralded as geniuses when young, they have all struggled in adulthood. Once a renown tennis prodigy, Richie has abandoned the sport. Chas has been so impacted by the death of his wife that he has become overprotective of his sons. Once a successful playwright, Margot hasn’t written a play in years. 

Initial Goal: Royal needs to find somewhere to live.

Oppressive Opposition: Unable to practice law for years, Royal racks up tremendous debt. He is notified he has days to get out of his hotel and learns that his ex-wife may be getting remarried. He hasn’t spoken to his children in years. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 14 minutes (13.5%) – Etheline’s accountant and business manager Henry proposes to her. She tells him she will think about it. The family butler Pagoda overhears and calls Royal at the hotel. When Royal hears the news he vows to stop it.  Chas shows up unexpectedly to his childhood home to move back in because he thinks his house isn’t safe for his kids. 

Etheline visit’s Margot at Raleigh’s request because she’s been spending six hours a day in the bathroom. Etheline invites Margot to stay at the Tenenbaum’s residence for awhile. It’s revealed she’s having an affair with Eli.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 21 minutes (20.3%) – Royal surprises Ethel outside of the house and asks to spend time with the family. When she refuses, he tells her he is dying. Ethel tells Henry and the kids who tell those close to them. When Richie receives word he makes arrangements to come home as soon as possible. 

When Richie arrives back in America, Margot comes to collect him and they have an emotional reunion. All of Ethel’s children are now back at the house after seventeen years.

The New Role: Royal attempts to become the family man he never was.

Act Run Time: 27 minutes (26.2%)

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: 27 minutes (26.2%)

Royal reconnects with his children after many years (the unfamiliar situation) but his self-centered nature prevents them from opening up to him (incidental opposition) as he tries to win them over (transitional goal). But when he’s officially kicked out of his hotel (the reality check) he dupes Richie into convincing the family to let him move back into the house (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Royal and his children interact with each other. Something that hasn’t happened in decades, but even back then, Royal was no good at communicating with his children. 

Transitional Goal: Royal tries to get his family, particularly his children, to like him. 

Incidental Opposition: Royal’s social ineptitude with his children prevents him from connecting with them. Henry has a genuine connection with Etheline. Chas doesn’t trust Royal due to their past relationship. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 35 minutes (33.9%) – Royal takes all the children to the Cemetery his mother is buried at. For Chas and Margot it is the first time they’ve been. We learn why Richie choked in his final match; Margot was in attendance with her new husband, Raleigh. We also learn more about Chas and Royal’s tenuous history. We see how Royal shot a young Chas with a BB gun while they were supposed to be on the same team, and how Chas later sued his father and got him disbarred. Margot tells Richie she heard about the letter he wrote Eli confessing he’s in love with her. 

Richie confronts Eli about the letter. He learns Eli is on drugs pretty much all the time. 

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 42 minutes (40.7%) – Royal is officially kicked out of the hotel. He calls Richie to convince the family to let him move back in. Chas is displeased but Ethel rules that Royal can stay.

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (16.5%) 

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.

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: 44 minutes (42.7%) 

Royal’s flagrant and sloppy deception (the central conflict) earns the ire of Chas and Henry (intentional opposition) as he tries to rekindle his romance with Etheline (false goal). But when he insults Henry and accuses him of trying to steal his woman (the turn), Henry does some investigating and exposes Royal’s lies to the family (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Royal’s lies and manipulations vs. Chas and Henry distrust

False Goal: Royal tries to rekindle the flame with his ex-wife. 

Intentional Opposition: Chas tries to have Royal physically removed from the house but temporarily relents at the request of Royal’s “doctor”. When Royal insults Henry, the latter begins investigating Royal’s medical condition. When Royal’s deceit is revealed, he loses the trust of his entire family. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 54 minutes (52.4%) – Royal cozies up to Etheline on a walk through the park. Unbeknownst to them, Henry is spying on them from a distance. Later, Henry asks Etheline to tell Royal about their engagement. He confesses he doesn’t think Royal is really sick but Ethel is skeptical and backs out of their evening plans. Pagoda tells Royal who taunts and insults Henry the next day. Their argument causes Etheline to scold Henry. Henry investigates Royal’s medication and makes some calls to the hospital. He confronts Pagoda about it. With the family all together, Henry exposes Royal’s lie. He was suspicious because his wife died of stomach cancer like Royal purports to have. 

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 61 minutes (59.2%) – The family doesn’t even have to kick Royal out. Having been exposed, he packs up to leave. Before leaving he comes clean, telling the family the last six days have been the best six days of his life. He tells Ethel he thought he could win her back and get rid of Henry. Before leaving he tells Richie that his “illness” had a profound effect on him and that he feels like a different person.

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (20.3%) 

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: 65 minutes (63.1%)

Richie attempts suicide (the doomed plan) by slitting his wrists (self-inflicted opposition) while Royal is respectively keeping his distance from the family (penultimate goal). But when the family learns the depths of Richie’s misery and Margot’s secretiveness (the lowpoint), Royal tells Richie to follow his heart if he and Margot are truly  in love (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: After learning of Margot’s many lovers, Richie slits his wrist. 

Penultimate Goal: Richie attempts to kill himself. Royal tries to make an honest living and respect his family’s wishes.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Richie tries to kill himself. Royal can’t visit him in the hospital due to betraying his family’s trust.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 69 minutes (66.9%) – After hearing the report of Margot’s sordid past, Raleigh and Richie are deflated. Richie goes into the bathroom, cuts his hair and shaves off his beard. Thinking of Margot, he decides to use the razor to cut his wrists and kill himself. Raleigh’s test subject, Dudley, stumbles upon Richie’s dying body and he is rushed to the hospital.

Royal arrives at the hospital desperate to see his son but is denied entry. As he contemplates how to break into the hospital, Pagoda spots Richie getting on a bus.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 76 minutes (73.7%) – Richie takes the bus back to the house and climbs in through the window. He finds Margot in his childhood tent. They discuss her secret past. They confess their love for one another and kiss. Before Margot leaves she tells him she thinks they’ll just have to be secretly in love. 

The next day, Richie rehangs Royal’s boar’s head and goes to visit his dad at the hotel where he learns Royal and Pagoda are working as elevator operators. Richie tells Royal he is in love with Margot. Royal is taken aback but essentially tells him to go for it if they are in love. They two have a heart to heart moment on the roof before Mordecai the falcon flies down to Richie. 

Act Run Time: 20 minutes (19.4%)

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: 85 minutes (82.5%)

Royal attempts to make amends with his family (the longshot) despite Henry and Ethel’s frantic wedding reception (ultimate opposition) as he tries to be a genuinely good person (ultimate goal). But when Eli nearly runs over Chas’ kids (all is lost) Royal pulls them out of the way and finally earns Chas’ appreciation (the final push).

The Longshot: Royal tries to make amends with his family. 

Ultimate Goal: Royal tries to be a genuinely good person. 

Ultimate Opposition: Chas’ kids are nearly killed by a drugged up Eli, but Royal pulls them from the car’s path. It is only through this act that Royal is able to finally get through to Chas that his intentions are honest. 

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 92 minutes (89.3%) – On the day of Etheline and Henry’s wedding, Eli comes speeding down the street high on drugs and crashes his car into the house. He almost hits Chas’ boys but Royal pulls them out of the way, though Eli does run over the dog. Richie tells Chas that Royal saved them. Chas chases down Eli seemingly to kill him. Richie tries to intervene but is struck. Chas realizes he completely lost his mind and ruined the wedding. Eli admits he has a problem when he learns he killed the dog.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 94 minutes (91.2%) – Royal apologizes to Henry for his past behavior. Henry accepts. Because the priest is injured the wedding is postponed. Royal gives Chas a new dog for the boys and apologizes properly. Chase seems to finally come to terms with Royal’s desire to make amends.

Act Run Time: 13 minutes (12.6%)

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: 98 minutes (95.1%)

Henry and Ethel are married. Royal is welcomed back into the family (the new situation).

The New Situation: Royal is now a part of his children’s lives. The Tenenbaum children seem to each come out of their respective slumps. 

Act Run Time: 5 minutes (4.8%) – Richie and Margot meet at Mordecai’s coup on the roof of the house. Ethel and Henry are married by a judge 48 hours after their original wedding was crashed. Margot releases a new play to mixed reviews. Raleigh goes on tour with Dudley. Eli checks into rehab. Richie begins teaching kids tennis. Royal, Chas and boys hang out until Royal has a heart attack at 68. Chas rides with him in the hospital and is the only witness to his death. 

The family goes to Royal’s funeral. No words are spoken, but it is generally agreed upon by everyone that Royal would have found the event to be most satisfactory.

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

The post Story Structure Analysis: The Royal Tenenbaums appeared first on Six Act Structure..

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I should point out that the pun here was completely unintended. Thanks to Katie for submitting her awesome Six Act analysis for the Reese Witherspoon comedy classic Legally Blonde! I had intended it to be my next blog post, but over the course of the last few weeks my very good boy Duke lost his sight due to cataracts from a complication of diabetes. Luckily, in most cases the condition is treatable with surgery to remove the cataracts and implant an artificial lens to prevent recurrence. Unfortunately, the procedure is just as expensive as it sounds. So my wife and I started a fundraiser to get our happy boy his sight back. He’s in otherwise good health, so we hope to get him back to zipping around the backyard with his sisters before his condition worsens. If you’d like to make a contribution here, any amount would be appreciated! Either way, enjoy the breakdown of Legally Blonde.

Format: Film

Released: 2001

Screenplay By: Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith

Directed By: Robert Luketic

Run Time: 91 minutes

Character: Elle Woods

New Role: A Serious Law Student

Plot summary of the 2001 comedy film Legally Blonde continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: Legally BlondeDRAMATIC 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.

Simple fashion major Elle Woods (the imperfect situation) isn’t seen as a “serious” person by the powers that be (oppressive opposition) as she hopes to get engaged to her boyfriend Warner (initial goal). But when what she thought would be a proposal turns out to be a break-up (the disturbance), Elle decides to go to Harvard Law School (the dilemma) to prove to Warner she’s a serious person (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Elle isn’t taken seriously for her intelligence and her boyfriend is only with her for her looks

Initial Goal: Get engaged to Warner and live happily ever after.

Oppressive Opposition: No one takes her seriously because of how she looks

Episode 0: Prologue: NA

Episode 1: Out of Order: 0 minutes – Elle gets ready for a big date because she thinks her boyfriend Warner is about to propose. She and her friends go dress shopping where the shop workers discriminate because they think she’s a dumb blonde. Elle demonstrates her intelligence. 

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst One – The Disturbance: 5 minutes (5.4%) – Warner picks Elle up for a date. They go out — big setup of her expectation, then he lands the blow and breaks up with her, telling her needs a serious partner if he’s going to be a successful Senator. Elle is devastated. 

Episode 3: Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 11 minutes (12%) – A week has passed and Elle is still wallowing in grief. Her friends take her to get her nails done to cheer her up. She sees Warner’s brother and his fiancé in a magazine and realizes she can become the type of girl Warner wants to marry by going to Harvard Law school. 

The New Role: A Serious law student

Act Run Time: 13 minutes (14.2%)

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: 13 minutes (14.2%)

Elle must put her studies over extracurriculars (the unfamiliar situation) and deal with stuffy ivy league types (incidental opposition) to attend Harvard Law School (transitional goal). But when Elle learns Warner is engaged to her new nemesis (the reality check), Elle resolves to steal him back by excelling as a law student (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Skipping parties in order to study — being a “serious” student, showing up at Harvard Law School

Transitional Goal: Get accepted to and attend Harvard Law School

Incidental Opposition: Even though she was accepted on her own merit, no one at Harvard takes her seriously.

Episode 4: Rushed Initiation: 13 minutes (14.2%) – Elle tells her parents who put her down, then her career counselor who tells her what she’ll need to get in, then friends. Montage working hard to get into Harvard culminating in “Elle Woods, welcome to Harvard.”

Elle arrives at Harvard and gets acquainted with her Unfamiliar Situation and its serious students. She runs into Warner and makes plans to meet him after her first class.

Episode 5: Turning Point Catalyst Two – The Reality Check: 25 minutes (27.4%) – Elle attends class where she’s the only one without a laptop. Professor Stromwell is stern but effective. She calls on Elle who is ill-prepared and Vivian gets Elle kicked out of class as a result.

Elle meets Emmet while waiting for Warner on the benches after getting kicked out of class. She learns Warner is engaged to Vivian who got her kicked out. She has Elle’s engagement ring and Warner calls Vivian by Elle’s pet name. 

Episode 6: Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 31 minutes (34%) – Upset, Elle goes to find solace in getting her nails done There she meets hopeless Paulette (B story) who encourages her to commit to her goal and “steal the bastard back.”

Act Run Time: 22 minutes (24.1%) 

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 successes 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: 35 minutes (38.4%) 

Elle bumps heads with Vivian (the central conflict) who does anything she can to undermine her (intentional opposition) as she tries to steal Warner back (false goal). But when Warner tells Elle she isn’t smart enough to get Callahan’s internship (the turn), Elle realizes he doesn’t think she’s good enough and resolves to prove him wrong (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Elle vs. Vivian and everyone else who thinks she’s just a dumb blonde. 

False Goal: Steal Warner back from Vivian

Intentional Opposition: Vivian sets out to thwart Elle at every chance. 

Episode 7: Hard-Earned Progress: 35 minutes (38.4%) – Intro to Callahan’s class and prestigious internship opportunity. This time Elle is prepared. There is a standoff between Elle and Vivian. Elle wins and throws down the gauntlet. “I’m not afraid of a challenge.”

Elle crashes Warner’s football game to attract him with her looks. Vivian prevents her from joining their study group. The feminist groups also discriminate against her for being a dumb blonde. Sad, Elle calls old friends but she is now completely out of their loop. 

Episode 8: Turning Point Catalyst Three – The Turn: 39 minutes (42.8%) – Elle overhears Vivian planning a party. Vivian invites her, telling her it’s a costume party. Elle shows up at the party wearing a bunny costume only to learn it isn’t a costume party, Unperturbed, she tells off Vivian and finds Warner. Warner tells Elle she isn’t smart enough to get Callahan’s internship. He tells her to be serious. She realizes she’s never gonna be good enough in his opinion. 

Episode 9: Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: Combined with the Turn

Act Run Time: 8 minutes (8.7%) 

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: 42 minutes (46.1%)

Elle wins a prestigious Callahan internship (the doomed plan) but struggles to keep her client’s confidentiality from her team (self-inflicted opposition) while proving she’s a legitimate law student (penultimate goal). But when Callahan makes a pass at her and Vivian accuses her of sleeping her way to success, Elle decides to quit law school (the lowpoint) until Professor Stromwell convinces her to toughen up (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Elle attempts to land Callahan’s internship and help his team win an important case. 

Penultimate Goal: Win the Callahan internship to prove she is a legitimate law student. 

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Elle refuses to give up Brooke’s alibi, putting her at odds with the rest of Callahan’s team. 

Episode 10: Inflated Sense of Heroism: minutes (%) – 42 minutes (46.1%) – Elle immediately goes to buy a laptop and doubles down her studies. 

A montage commences of Elle working hard and doing well in classes. B-Story: Stands up for Paulette against her ex and gets her dog back. 

After outperforming Warner in class, Callahan encourages Elle to apply for his internship and she gives him her pink resume. Elle gets accepted into Callahan’s internship and the stakes intensify.

The murder case is introduced. Elle does well and gains Brooke’s confidence because they’re in the same sorority. Elle teaches Paulette the Bend ‘n snap.

The trial begins and the pool boy testifies he had an affair with Brooke. Meanwhile, at the salon, Paulette accidentally breaks the UPS man’s nose. At a water fountain, the Pool boy tells Elle not to stomp her last season Prada shoes at him. She realizes he is gay and making up the affair but Callihan shuts her down. Emmet cross-examines the witness based on Elle’s intuition with Callahan’s permission and tricks Pool Boy into admitting he’s gay. 

Episode 11: Turning Point Catalyst Four – The Lowpoint: 73 minutes (80.2%) – 73 minutes: Back at the firm that night, Vivian, who is now acting nice to Elle, tells her Callahan wants to see her in his office. He congratulates her on following her intuition about Enrique and getting the alibi from Brooke. Things take a turn when Callahan makes a pass at her and feels her up. Vivian who only witnesses a portion from outside the door accuses Elle of sleeping her way to the top. Elle tells Emmett she’s going back to LA. He tries to talk her out of it to no avail.

Episode 12: Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 77 minutes (84.6%) – Elle stops at the salon to say goodbye to Paulette. Unbeknownst to her, Professor Stromwell who’s at the salon getting her hair done overhears and tells her “If you’re going to let one stupid prick ruin your life, you’re not the girl I thought you were.”

Act Run Time: 36 minutes (39.5%)

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: 78 minutes (85.7%)

Elle takes over as Brooke’s lawyer (the longshot) and must prove her legal prowess in a real murder trial (ultimate opposition) to win the case and graduate law school (ultimate goal). But when Elle struggles out of the gate (all is lost), she uses her special knowledge to catch the witness in a lie and prove her client’s innocence (the final push).

The Longshot: Elle attempts to prove Brooke’s innocence as the primary lawyer on her case.

Ultimate Goal: Win the case and graduate law school

Ultimate Opposition: Elle must prove her legal prowess in front of a real judge and jury at a murder trial. The witnesses are hostile. The judge’s patience is tested by Elle’s inexperience. 

Episode 13: Here’s the Plan: 78 minutes (85.7%) – Vivian learns she was wrong when Emmett tells Brooke why Elle quit. Emmet says maybe there’s something they can do about it. 

80 minutes: Brooke fires Callahan. Elle walks in wearing pink and announces she is taking over the case. The judge accepts the change only when the licensed Emmet agrees to assist. Brooke ensures Judge she knows what she’s doing. Elle’s friends come for support.

Episode 14: Turning Point Catalyst Five – All is Lost: 82 minutes (90.1%) – Brooke’s stepdaughter Chutney takes the stand and Elle attempts to cross-examine her. After a rough start, it doesn’t seem like Elle knows what she’s doing. Weak-ish “all is lost” moment as she repeats the shower question. Emmett tells them to have faith.

Episode 15: Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 85 minutes (93.4%) – Elle gains her footing when Chutney says she was washing her hair after getting a perm. Elle uses her particular brand of blonde expertise (mirroring the shop scene in the opening), this time about perm maintenance and gets Chutney to confess to killing her father on the stand. Case dismissed. Everyone cheers except for Chutney and Callahan.

Act Run Time: 9 minutes (9.8%)

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: 87 minutes (95.6%)

Elle graduates law school at the top of her class with a new true love who plans to propose (the new situation).

Episode 16: The New Situation: 87 minutes (95.6%): Outside of the courtroom, Warner tries to reconcile his relationship with Elle and tells her he loves her. She turns his earlier line back around on him and walks out the door.

At graduation, Professor Stromwell proudly introduces Elle as the class speaker. Elle gives a speech and uses the Aristotle quote from her first class with Stromwell(payoff). Supers explain Vivian and Elle are friends, Warner’s graduating without honors or job offers, Paulette is having a baby with the UPS guy, and Emmett is proposing to Elle that night to take the story full circle. 

Act Run Time: 4 minutes (4.3%) 

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

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Format: Film

Released: 2000

Screenplay By: William Broyles Jr.

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Run Time: 137 minutes

Character: Chuck Noland

New Role: A plane crash survivor on a deserted island

Plot summary of the 2000 survival drama film Cast Away continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: Cast AwayDRAMATIC 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 .

Workaholic systems analyst Chuck Nolan (the imperfect situation) puts his work before his relationship and battles against time (oppressive opposition) as he tries to keep FedEx working smoothly (initial goal). But when he’s called away on business on Christmas (the disturbance), his plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean (the dilemma) leaving Chuck the sole survivor on an uninhabited island (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Chuck Noland is a workaholic who frequently travels away from his girlfriend and has been holding off on marrying her. 

Initial Goal: Keep FedEx running like clockwork. 

Oppressive Opposition: Chuck’s greatest enemy is time. The clock is always ticking and he makes his living by ensuring efficiency. He’s been putting off proposing to his girlfriend despite how much they love each other. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 13 minutes (9.4%) – Chuck gets called away to Malaysia by FedEx during Christmas dinner. He and Kelly exchange gifts when they arrive at the airport, culminating in him giving her a ring box. He tells her they’ll open it on New Year’s when he gets back.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 20 minutes (14.5%) – The plane Chuck is on crashes into the ocean killing everyone else on board. Chuck escapes the sinking plane in a life raft and washes ashore on a small island.

The New Role: A plane crash survivor on a deserted island.

Act Run Time: 31 minutes (22.6%)

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: 31 minutes (22.6%)

Marooned on a deserted island (the unfamiliar situation), with no survival supplies or training (incidental opposition), Chuck tries to figure out where he is and how to get back to civilization (transitional goal). But when he learns how isolated the island is and finds the corpse of one of his fellow passengers (the reality check), Chuck buries his former colleague and contemplates how to get home to the woman he loves (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Chuck finds himself marooned on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific.

Transitional Goal: Figure out where he is and what to do next.

Incidental Opposition: Chuck is scared by noises in the darkness. He draws a HELP sign into the sand only to find the tide has washed it away in the morning. He struggles to open coconuts and feed himself. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 45 minutes (32.8%) – Chuck climbs to the summit of the mountain and surveys the island. He realizes he is just a small blip in a vast ocean with little likelihood of ever being found. He spots a body awash on the shore and runs to pull it from the water. It’s the pilot, Al, or rather his corpse, which Chuck robs of anything useful. 

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 48 minutes (35%) – Chuck buries Al’s body and says a few words. He spends his second night on the island looking at the picture of Kelly with his flashlight.

Act Run Time: 20 minutes (14.5%) 

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.

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 (37.2%)

Chuck struggles to maintain his will to survive (the central conflict), despite his lack of control over his fate and anything that happens (intentional opposition) as he learns how to survive on the island (false goal). But when he calculates the low probability of being rescued, he spends four years on the island (the turn), before the tide washes in a sail (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Chuck vs. his own will to survive and his lack of control over his situation. 

False Goal: Learn how to survive on the island.

Intentional Opposition: Chuck’s will to live is challenged by fate, nature and the island.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 74 minutes (54%): Chuck draws out a map of where he is and where they think he is and calculates he’s lost in a 500,000 square mile area. He realizes he will never be found. When his abscess tooth becomes unbearable, Chuck does oral surgery with an ice skate blade. Four years pass on the island. 

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 79 minutes (57.6%): Chuck is now a master of the island, throwing a spear to catch a fish and eating it raw. One day, a large piece of plastic from a portajohn washes up outside his cave. He realizes it just might work as a sail. 

Act Run Time: 28 minutes (20.4%) 

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: 84 minutes (61.3%)

Chuck builds a raft and uses the plastic as a sail (the doomed plan), leaving the relative safety of land (self-inflicted opposition) to escape the island (penultimate goal). But when Wilson is lost to the sea and the raft begins to fall apart (the lowpoint), Chuck is spotted by a container ship and rescued (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Chuck fashions a raft and uses the sail to escape the island, but loses Wilson in the process.

Penultimate Goal: Escape the island and live or die on his own terms. 

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Chuck could theoretically stay on the island. Instead, he chooses to take his chances at sea in a self-made raft.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 100 minutes (72.9%) – While Chuck is asleep, the beam supporting Wilson breaks and the ball begins to float away. Wilson is too far out by the time Chuck wakes up and he is unable to rescue him. Chuck weeps.  The raft slowly continues to fall apart.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 105 minutes (76.6%) – Chuck is awoken by a passing freight ship. They miraculously spot him and bring him onboard.

Act Run Time: 28 minutes (20.4%)

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: 107 minutes (78.1%)

Chuck tries to reconnect with Kelly (the longshot) after the entire world has declared him dead (ultimate opposition) as he tries to rediscover his place in society (ultimate goal). But when he learns Kelly is now married with children (all is lost), he drives to her house to confess his love and say goodbye (the final push).

The Longshot: Chuck attempts to reconnect with Kelly and continue his life with her after all these years. 

Ultimate Goal: Rediscover his place in society.

Ultimate Opposition: Chuck discovers the world has moved on without him in his absence. Kelly, the thought of whom helped keep him alive, has married and has a child. He’s been declared legally dead. 

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 110 minutes (58.8%) – Kelly doesn’t show up and instead Chuck is visited by her husband. He sees her out the window and that she is too emotional to come in. After the hotel party celebrating his return, Chuck marvels over the spread they had for him and the simple conveniences everyone takes for granted. He sleeps on the floor looking at Kelly’s picture the same way he did in the cave.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 116 minutes (84.7%) – Chuck takes a cab to Kelly’s house. Before he can knock she comes to the door and lets him in. She gives him the keys to their old car. He tells her he doesn’t know what he’ll do now. She kisses him goodbye, but as he goes to leave she calls after him and he reverses back. They passionately embrace and she confesses that he is the love of her life. He tells her she has to go home. Chuck goes to see Stan and tells him about his experience on the island and his failed suicide attempt. 

Act Run Time: 25 minutes (18.2%)

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: 132 minutes (96.3%)

Chuck sets out in search of his new life (the new situation).

The New Situation: Chuck drives the open road to deliver the package that saved his life. In doing so, he discovers new hope he will find a new path when he unwittingly meets the woman who sent the angel wing package.

Act Run Time: 5 minutes (3.6%) 

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

The post Story Structure Analysis: Cast Away appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Format: Film

Released: 2016

Screenplay By: Jared Bush & Phil Johnston

Directed By: Byron Howard and Rich Moore

Run Time: 96 minutes

Character(s): Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde

New Role: A police officer in Zootopia

Salutations, storytellers. Yes, I know it’s been a while. Longer than either of us would prefer. My lack of attention to updating the website (and my YouTube channel) is due entirely to my focus on The Story Structure Blueprint over the last year or so. The good news is the Sixteen Episode paradigm to compliment the Six Acts is complete. I think.
Because it delves so deep into the character’s implicit motivations, it has required a bit more finesse than the overt nature of the  Six Acts. As such, I have been rigorously testing the paradigm by developing a screenplay with a producer friend my journey in storytelling has connected me with.  There is something magical on the horizon.  In the meantime, rest assured I’m striving to ensure the expansion of the Six Act paradigm into Sixteen Episodes is as groundbreaking as its predecessor.

Stay tuned.

Plot summary of the 2016 computer-animated buddy cop film Zootopia continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: ZootopiaDRAMATIC 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 .

Bunny Judy Hopps wants to be a cop (the imperfect situation), but is ridiculed by everyone around her (oppressive opposition) because she would be the first bunny to join the force (initial goal). But when she graduates the academy at the top of her class (the disturbance) she’s assigned to the Zootopia and must leave her family (the dilemma) to become an officer on the ZPD (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Judy Hopps wants to be a cop, but there’s never been a bunny cop. No one thinks she can do it. Prey animals still don’t trust predators.

Initial Goal: Become the world’s first bunny police officer.

The universe shall enjoy quashing your dreams

Oppressive Opposition: The powers that be don’t think Judy can ever be a cop. Animals are still being limited by what people perceive them as.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 6 minutes (6.3%) – 15 years later, Judy attends police academy. She struggles at first but slowly begins to overcome her disadvantages. She graduates at the top of her class and is assigned to City Center in Zootopia. 

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 8 minutes (8.3%%) – While Judy made up her mind about this moment long ago, as she prepares to depart from Bunnyburrow her parents try to talk her out of going. She concedes that she will at least be wary of predators. They give her fox repellent. She gives them hugs. 

The New Role: Judy becomes a police officer on the ZPD.

Act Run Time: 10 minutes (10.4%)

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: 10 minutes (10.4%)

Judy travels to the strange and wonderful city of Zootopia (the unfamiliar situation), where she is treated harshly by everyone she encounters (incidental opposition) while trying to demonstrate her abilities as a police officer (transitional goal). But when she’s hustled by a grifting Fox who points out her delusions about life (the reality check), she gains a chance to redeem herself by apprehending a criminal and taking a missing mammal case from the Chief (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Judy goes to Zootopia for the first time. She is insulted by her fellow officers and dismissed with parking duty by the Chief. Everyone thinks she’s just a meter maid. She has to steal a case from Chief Bogo who only gives her two days to solve it or be sent back to Bunnyburrow. 

Transitional Goal: Demonstrate her ability to her new, fellow officers.

I could literally crush you with my pinkie.

Incidental Opposition: Judy overestimates how unified Zootopia actually is. The Chief wants nothing to do with her despite her stellar graduation stats. She’s swindled by a local hustler. When she finally gets to do some police work and arrests a thief, she is threatened with termination. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 22 minutes (22.9%) – Judy sees Nick Wilde and his “son” melting down the jumbo pop and selling the components across town. She confronts Nick but doesn’t have anything on him. He calls her out on the delusion of her dreams. She returns to her department and wallows in her failure.

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 27 minutes (28%) – Judy is berated by people she issues tickets to. She’s approached by a store owner whose store has been robbed. She chases down and apprehends the suspect only to be berated by the chief for all the damage she caused in Rodent Town. The wife of a missing otter, Mrs. Otterton shows up and begs for the Chief to assign someone to the case. Judy volunteers. Bogo wants to fire her but the Mayor’s assistant learns Judy is on the case so he can’t. He gives her 48 hours to find Otterton or she will be terminated. Judy agrees. 

Act Run Time: 24 minutes (25%) 

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.

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: 34 minutes (35%) 

Judy works a case no one will help her with (the central conflict) and must work with a criminal against police bureaucracy (intentional opposition) as she tries to follow the lead on the missing otter (false goal). But when it’s revealed the otter turned savage on the panther limo driver who subsequently goes savage on her and Nick (the turn), the driver escapes before the Chief arrives and Nick intervenes to stop Judy from being fired for what the Chief believes is a hoax (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Judy vs. the case of the missing Otter

False Goal: Track down the missing otter.

Intentional Opposition: Judy enlists the help of the reluctant Nick who tries to thwart her investigation to get out of it.

“This will only take a second.”

Mr. Big nearly kills them both for Nick’s past transgressions. Chief Bogo tries to take her off the case immediately until Nick intervenes. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 44 minutes (46%) – Judy and Nick go to Tundra town to investigate the limo. Nick realizes the limo belongs to Mr. Big, whom he has crossed. They discover claw marks all over the rear of the limo and find Emmet Otterton’s wallet. When Nick wants to leave they are captured by Mr. Big’s polar bears. 

They are taken to Mr. Big who intends to have them killed after Judy reveals she’s a cop on the Otterton case. Mr. Big’s daughter stops him after recognizing Judy from saving her life earlier. At his daughter’s wedding, Mr. Big reveals Otterton was the one who attacked after going crazy. 

Judy and Nick visit the driver of the limo. He recounts the story of Otterton turning savage, only to suddenly turn savage himself and chase after the fleeing duo. They narrowly escape by cuffing the driver’s leg. Nick thanks Judy for saving his life. 

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 55 minutes (57%) – When Chief Bogo arrives, Judy discovers the driver has escaped. Bogo demands her badge since two days have expired. Nick comes to her defense and reminds the Chief that Judy has 10 hours left. Judy and Nick have a heart-to-heart. He tells her the story of how he tried to join the Junior Rangers only to be bullied for being a fox. That’s when he decided to be the sly fox everyone assumes he is. Nick suddenly realizes the traffic camera would’ve seen where the jaguar went. Judy has a friend who may be able to help.

Act Run Time: 26 minutes (27%) 

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: 60 minutes (63%)

Judy and Nick track the driver’s kidnappers (the doomed plan) and sneak into a guarded medical facility (self-inflicted opposition) to learn who’s making the predators turn savage (penultimate goal). But when Judy insults Nick by implying he’s savage, and the prey animal public turns on predators, Judy quits and returns to Bunnyburrow (the lowpoint), where she learns what Night Howlers really are and leaves to solve the case (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Judy and Nick attempt to track down the driver’s kidnapper. They ultimately track them to an abandoned hospital where they find the other missing mammals who have all gone savage. The mayor is implicated. Judy becomes a hero but her remarks sever her budding friendship with Nick.  

Penultimate Goal: Find out who’s making predators turn savage.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Judy and Nick go into the belly of the beast so to speak. They have the mayor arrested. Judy puts her foot in her mouth at her press conference and greatly offends Nick. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 69 minutes (72%) – Chief Bogo holds a press conference. Judy asks Nick to join the force and gives him the recording pen, but she unintentionally insults Nick when she blames the outbreak on the predators’ inability to control themselves. He gives her back her application which he has already filled out. Nick walks out. 

Tensions are high in Zootopia with prey animals protesting predators. Clawhauser is transferred to records. Bogo tells her she’s a good cop. Bellwether takes over as mayor and asks Judy to serve as the public face of ZPD. Judy declines and turns in her badge. Feeling she is responsible for Zootopia’s troubles, Judy returns to Bunnyburrow. 

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 77 minutes (80%) – Judy meets her old nemesis Gideon who apologizes for his past behavior. Judy learns from her parents and Gideon that night howlers are actually plants that make animals, including bunnies go savage. She races back to the city to track down Nick. She apologizes and tells him what’s going on. He accepts her apology and the two reconcile.

Totally not going to eat her at some point.

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (21.8%)

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.

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: 81 minutes (84%)

Judy and Nick follow their sole lead without any aid (the longshot), and go up against whoever’s turning predators savage (ultimate opposition) while trying to uncover who’s behind the Night Howler attacks (ultimate goal). But when it’s revealed to be the new Mayor Bellwether who tries to have Judy killed (all is lost), Judy and Nick trick her into recording a confession (the final push).

The Longshot: Judy and Nick attempt to locate and take down whoever has been using Night Howlers to make predators look bad. 

Ultimate Goal: Figure out who’s behind the Night Howler attacks. 

Ultimate Opposition: Judy and Nick go up against the mastermind behind the savage predator attacks. They are betrayed, set up and nearly killed by the Assistant Mayor who attempts to use Nick’s status as a predator against Judy.

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 88 minutes (92%) – Bellwether catches Nick and Judy in the natural history museum and they realize she is in on it all. The mayor and her rams pin them in the museum and Bellwether tries to reason with Judy. Bellwether shoots Nick with night howler and he appears to go savage. 

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 92 minutes (96%) – They reveal they swapped the night howlers with blueberries and recorded Bellwether’s unintentional confession with Judy’s carrot pen.

Act Run Time: 12 minutes (12.5%)

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: 93 minutes (97%)

Judy is vindicated. The predators are returned to normal. Nick joins the force and he and Judy become partners (the new situation).

The New Situation: Bellwether is arrested. Otterton and the others receive an antidote. Judy gives a speech at the police academy graduation where Nick is the first fox graduate. The two go on patrol as partners with Chief Bogo’s blessing.

Act Run Time: 4 minutes (4.1%) 

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

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Format: Movie

Released: 2008

Screenplay By: Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon

Directed By: Andrew Stanton

Run Time: 90 minutes

Character: Wall-E

New Role: A robot in love

Plot summary of the 2008 Computer-Animated Sci-Fi Romance movie Wall-E continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: Wall-EDRAMATIC 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 .

Alone on Earth, Wall-E the robot (the imperfect situation) follows the directives of his makers (oppressive opposition) to clean up the garbage humanity left behind (initial goal). But after he discovers a strange growing plant (the disturbance), he encounters another, futurist robot (the dilemma) and immediately falls in love with it (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Wall-E is all alone on Earth, but longs for meaningful companionship after gaining sentience. He goes about the futile task of cleaning up the planet all by himself.

Initial Goal: Clean up the garbage left behind by humanity. 

You little pervert.

Oppressive Opposition: Wall-E’s makers left him on Earth to clean up their mess. He goes about his programming without question even though it would appear to be pointless. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 9 minutes (10%) – Wall-E wakes up groggy because he needs to recharge. He goes to work and we see how he collects things he likes, culminating in a small seedling he gingerly places into his pack.

WTF?!

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 12 minutes (13.3%) – As Wall-E is returning home he sees the red laser from the approaching ship and chases it like a cat. Wall-E sees Eve emerge from the ship, the first other self-propelled object beside his roach he’s seen in presumably centuries. He follows her around and finally makes her acquaintance when she befriends the roach and almost kills Wall-E.

The New Role: Instantly smitten with Eve, Wall-E becomes a robot in love. 

Act Run Time: 19 minutes (21.1%)

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: 19 minutes (21.1%)

Unsure of how to interact with the new robot (the unfamiliar situation), Wall-E is repeatedly blown off by Eve (incidental opposition) as he tries to get to know her (transitional goal). But when Wall-E shows Eve the plant he found and she shuts down after putting it in her innards (the reality check) Wall-E stows aboard the ship that comes to take her away (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Wall-E meets another sentient being for the first time in centuries, and as a result doesn’t quite understand how to interact with it. 

Transitional Goal: Get to know the new robot.

Incidental Opposition: Because Eve is unfamiliar with Earth she presumes everything is a threat, including Wall-E. She nearly kills him when he startles her, however once she determines he’s not a threat she ignores him and dismisses his overtures at friendship.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 23 minutes (25.5%) – Wall-E takes Eve to his crib and shows off his collection of fancy junk. She shows him things about his junk that he didn’t know, like how to turn on a lightbulb or solve a rubix cube, but almost destroys his cassette of Hello Dolly. He shows her the movie and how to dance though she damages him in  the process. He demonstrates how he has parts that he uses to fix himself as needed. When he shows Eve the plant she scans it and shuts down. He is unable to revive her.

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 31 minutes (34.4%) – Resigned to the fact Eve will not wake up, Wall-E goes back to work making garbage cubes.

*Sad robot noises

He sees the approaching ship and rushes back to Eve. When he sees the ship taking Eve, he hitches a ride to save her.

Act Run Time: 14 minutes (15.5%) 

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.

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: 33 minutes (36.6%)

Wall-E and a ragtag group of robots earn the ire of the ship’s Auto-pilot (the central conflict) who wants to stop Eve (intentional opposition) from fulfilling her directive (false goal). But when the plant is revealed to have disappeared (the turn), Eve and Wall-E discover GO-4 stole it to destroy it (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: The free robots and the humans vs. the Auto-pilot and it’s programmed minions.

False Goal: Watch over Eve while she is brought to the end of her directive.

Intentional Opposition: The Auto-pilot and his subordinates are revealed to be at odds with Eve’s directive and the humans’ desire to return to Earth.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 43 minutes (47.7%) – Wall-E accompanies Eve to the command bridge where she is scanned by Auto who relays instructions to GO-4. Wall-E falls into the captain’s quarters, presumably while GO-4 is removing the plan from Eve’s innards. We meet the captain who is told a probe has returned positive. We learn that her mission was to find plant life on Earth. When Eve is opened it’s revealed the plan is gone. Eve and Wall-E are sent for repair. The captain scans the dirt he collected shaking Wall-E’s hand and goes about Googling Earth.

“Okay Google…”

Wall-E and Eve are taken to repair and he meets defective robots. He sees Eve being repaired and thinks she is being tortured. When he escapes his cell he accidentally frees all the other robots who take him for their Che Guerra. The stewards mistake them all for rogue robots and they are forced to flee.

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 56 minutes (62.2%) – Eve puts him on an escape pod back to Earth, but they must hide when GO-4 enters the chamber. They witness him put the plant on an escape pod with the self-destruct activated. Wall-E manages to escape with the plant and he and Eve celebrate. They float through space on a robo-date. Mary sees them and awakens John and they in turn go on a human date. 

Auto attempts to put the captain to bed, but he wants to continue researching fascinating facts about Earth.

Act Run Time: 29 minutes (32.2%) 

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: 62 minutes (68.8%)

Wall-E and Eve sneak up to the captain’s quarters (the doomed plan) and face off with Auto and GO-4 (self-inflicted opposition) in order to return the plant (penultimate goal). But when Wall-E is severely damaged and he and Eve are nearly jettisoned into space (the lowpoint), he convinces her that he can be repaired by using the plant protocol to return the ship to Earth (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Wall-E helps Eve sneak the plant back up to the captain. They are both captured and nearly ejected into space by Auto as a result.

Penultimate Goal: Get the plant to the captain so he can implement the return protocol. 

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Wall-E and Eve attempt to take on Auto and his minions and are summarily defeated.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 71 minutes (78.8%): Wall-E and Eve are dropped unconscious into the garbage shoot to be ejected into space by Wall-E’s much larger successors. He is out of juice and his chip is damaged.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 74 minutes (82.2%): Wall-E convinces Eve that finishing her mission will send the ship back to Earth where he can be repaired.

Act Run Time: 13 minutes (14.4%)

Watch Wall-E NowDRAMATIC 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: 75 minutes (83.3%)

Eve tries to save Wall-E’s life (the longshot) by overriding the Auto-pilot (ultimate opposition) and returning the ship to Earth (ultimate goal). But when Auto overpowers the captain and Eve loses the plant (all is lost), the captain uses his newfound ability to walk to shut Auto down and allow Eve to insert the plant (the final push).

The Longshot: Complete the plant protocol to return Wall-E and the humans home.

Ultimate Goal: Insert the plant in the receiver and return to Earth.

Ultimate Opposition: The Auto-pilot will stop at nothing to prevent the Axiom from returning to Earth. Wall-E is nearly crushed to death.

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 80 minutes (88.8%) – Auto tosses away the captain and causes Eve to drop the plant. All the baby-people tumble to the ledge and are nearly crushed but Eve saves them. Wall-E attempts to hold the platform up but gets crushed inside it. The captain climbs to his feet for the first time in his life and does battle with Auto.

Baby steps.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 83 minutes (92.2%) – After the captain restores stability to the ship, Mo, the other robots, and the baby-people toss the plant to Eve who puts it in the chamber. Wall-E is seemingly dead. 

The Axion arrives back at Earth. The humans set foot onto the planet for the first time. Eve rushes Wall-E to his home and replaces his damaged parts. 

Wall-E is revived but doesn’t remember Eve or his roach. Eve is distraught and attempts to hold his hand. When it’s clear he is gone, she gives him a “kiss” and attempts to leave, only he is gripping her hand. Wall-E slowly regains sentience and is ecstatic to realize Eve is holding his hand.

Act Run Time: 14 minutes (15.5%)

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: 89 minutes (98.8%)

Wall-E, Eve and humanity return to Earth (the new situation).

The New Situation: The baby-people begin farming pizza plants, while the robots start their own little colony. It’s revealed that plants are growing abundantly now.

Act Run Time: 1 minute (1.1%) 

Give me some sugar.To learn more about six act structure, purchase your copy of “ Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret ” today! Full Cast and Credits for Wall-E

The post Story Structure Analysis: Wall-E appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Format: Movie

Released: 2002

Screenplay By: Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron

Directed By: Doug Liman

Run Time: 111 minutes

Character: Jason Bourne

New Role: An amnesiac with a dangerously checkered past

Plot summary of the 2002 action thriller film The Bourne Identity continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: The Bourne IdentityDRAMATIC 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 are introduced to an amnestic Bourne as he attempts to recover his memory. His discovery that he possesses deadly supernatural skills is intercut with scenes from a mysterious government agency feverishly tracking him down. Bourne is introduced to his eventual love interest Marie and her background as a wanderer is established. We are introduced to several Treadstone assassins and see the relationship between Conklin and Abbot as they vie for control of the program. 

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 .

An injured man with amnesia (the imperfect situation) fails to remember his past (oppressive opposition) as he struggles desperately to piece together who he is (initial goal). But when he easily takes down two policemen with military precision (the disturbance), he follows his few clues to a bank safety deposit box filled with money, guns, and multiple passports (the dilemma) the primary of which indicates he is an American citizen named Jason Bourne (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: A man is pulled from the Mediterranean sea with no memory of who he is in spite of him seemingly being knowledgeable about a great many other things.

Initial Goal: Figure out who he is.

Oppressive Opposition: Bourne’s memory doesn’t seem to be coming back despite all his best efforts. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, a well-oiled government agency is gearing up to track him down. 

Turning Point Catalyst One – The Disturbance: 10 minutes (9%): Bourne is approached by two policemen while sleeping on a bench. When they put their hands on him, his instincts kick in and he easily disarms them and knocks them unconscious. Back in DC, we learned of a failed assassination attempt on exiled African leader Wombosi. CIA Deputy Director Abbot asks Treadstone head Conklin about it who reveals they have lost contact with an agent.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 14 minutes (12.6%): Bourne goes to the bank from the coordinates he had on his laser pointer where he’s taken to a safety deposit box. Inside he finds a gun, various currencies, and several passports. He assumes the name Jason Bourne from one of the passports and takes everything but the gun. When he leaves, one of the bank employees makes a cryptic phone call. 

The New Role: An amnesiac with a dangerously checkered past

Act Run Time: 18 minutes (16.2%)

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: 18 minutes (16.2%)

Bourne and his new associate are pursued by law enforcement and assassins (the unfamiliar situation) who appear to be willing to kill them (incidental opposition) to prevent him from finding out who he is (transitional goal). But when an assassin tracks him to his last known address with detailed information on himself and Marie (the reality check), they both resolve to figure out who is after them (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Unable to remember who he is, Bourne finds himself relentlessly pursued by the authorities and a clandestine government agency who appear willing to kill him to prevent him from figuring out who he is. 

Transitional Goal: Figure out who Jason Bourne is.

Incidental Opposition: Unsure of what’s happened to him, Bourne’s old handlers believe he’s gone rogue and attempt to have him killed. The police and military after him are just doing their job but don’t know who they’re up against. 

Turning Point Catalyst Two – The Reality Check: 36 minutes (32%) – Bourne and Marie arrive at the Paris address. He pays her as promised, but she decides to go up with him. The landlord recognizes him and lets him into his apartment. Marie takes a shower while Bourne searches the flat for clues to his identity. He redials the last number from the phone that connects him to a Paris hotel. They don’t have a Jason Bourne there, but the next passport name he gives, John Michael Kane was a guest who recently died. Jason suspects someone else is in the apartment. Another assassin bursts in through a window and the two throw blows. Jason subdues him and Marie finds her own picture from the surveillance video in the assassin’s bag. She freaks out and in the confusion the assassin jumps out the window, committing suicide. Jason tells Marie they need to leave immediately, but she’s in shock. 

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 47 minutes (42.3%) – On their way out, they see the pleasant old landlady shot in the head. Conklin receives word that Bourne killed their assassin. Jason leaves Marie in the car while he goes into a train station where he stashes his bag. She contemplates leaving him and is gone when he comes back out. He worries she left, but she only went to get a bottle of alcohol to cope with all the craziness going on. He insists that she go to the cops. They argue about it since she has no idea who their pursuers are. She insists on staying with him until he figures out what’s going on. The police arrive and spot the car. Bourne offers her one more chance to get out, but she puts on her seatbelt and he leads the cops on a chase through the streets of Paris, ultimately shaking the cops. 

Act Run Time: 39 minutes (35.1%) 

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 successes and failures as he works toward resolving the main throughline.

Jason and Marie are relentlessly pursued by Treadstone and their assassins. He and Marie take their relationship to the next level as they become closer. Using the few clues about his past he can piece together, Jason discovers he was an assassin who was shot while trying to kill an African dictator. 

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: 57 minutes (51.3%) 

Bourne faces off with the full might of Treadstone (the central conflict), who are willing to burn him (intentional opposition) to prevent him from exposing their operations (false goal). But when Bourne is framed for the murder of Wombosi (the turn), he discovers he is an assassin and resolves to take Marie somewhere she will be safe (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Bourne vs. his Treadstone past as an assassin. 

False Goal: Figure out who’s after them together.

Intentional Opposition: Treadstone kills Wombosi and frames Bourne for the murder. 

Turning Point Catalyst Three – The Turn: 66 minutes (59.4%) – Abbot confronts Conklin with the news Wombosi was killed. Conklin lies that it was Bourne and that he will come back in now. Bourne continues his investigation, making phone calls from a payphone well into the night. 

When Bourne goes to the office of Alliance Securite Maritime, everyone recognizes him as John Michael Kane. They inquire if he’s still interested in purchasing the same yacht as before. Bourne tells Marie he is both Bourne and Kane. She informs him Kane is dead and she found his body at the morgue. 

Bourne and Marie go to the morgue. Bourne pays off the coroner to see the body, but it’s gone. He learns someone took it and gets the name from the registry. Bourne sees Wombosi’s name on the list and recognizes it from the Alliance Securite brochure. They go to his house only to find he has been murdered and the police are there in droves.

 Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 73 minutes (65.7%) – Bourne gets a newspaper that tells him three weeks ago someone tried to assassinate Wombosi on his yacht but was chased off and shot two times in the back. Bourne realizes he is an assassin. 

He and Marie are reflective as they ride in a cab to their hotel. They stop before they get to the hotel because it is surrounded by police. The professor is there scanning for Bourne. Bourne breaks into a car window and discovers they have been setup. She tries to run away now that she knows what he is. He tells her he will take her wherever she wants to go, and she’ll never have to see him again, but if they stay in Paris they will die.

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (18.9%) 

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: 78 minutes (70.2%)

Bourne takes Marie to her friend’s remote cabin (the doomed plan) walking into a trap laid by Treadstone (self-inflicted opposition) as he attempts to separate himself from Marie to keep her safe (penultimate goal). But when Bourne finds out he was a member of the same forces that are trying to kill him, he parts ways with Marie (the lowpoint) and hatches a plan to track down the people who want him dead (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Bourne attempts to leave Marie at her friend Eamon’s cabin, unaware that Treadstone has targeted it as a likely hideout for the two of them. 

Penultimate Goal: Take Marie to Eamon’s where she will be safe. 

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Bourne walks into a Treadstone trap because he underestimates their knowledge and resources. 

Turning Point Catalyst Four – The Lowpoint: 84 minutes (75.6): The next day, Bourne and Marie plan to leave but learn that Eamon’s dog is missing. Bourne tells him they are all in danger and to get his kids in the basement. He apologizes to Eamon who reluctantly complies. Marie discovers the landline for the phone is dead. Bourne finds and loads up a shotgun, telling her he won’t let anything happen to the kids. He uses it to blow up a propane tank and create a distraction to flank the Professor. He tracks the Professor to a clearing and gets the drop on him. Bourne attempts to interrogate the dying Professor, who tells him they are both Treadstone agents before succumbing to his injuries. Bourne gives Marie all of the money except for 30 grand and sends her away with Eamon. When Marie asks Bourne what he’s going to do, he tells her he’s going to end it.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 91 minutes (81.9%) – Bourne goes through the Professor’s things and finds a cellphone. He calls the last number and Conklin answers. He asks what Jason is into now. Bourne lies to Conklin that he killed Marie because she was slowing him down. He gives Conklin a rendezvous point. Conklin tells Abbot that they will kill Bourne. 

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (15.3%)

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.

Using the information he obtained from the Professor, Bourne resolves to take the fight to Treadstone and end the conflict once and for all. Conklin is assassinated and Abbot testifies in a Senate hearing that Treadstone has been dissolved. Bourne tracks Marie to her beachside hiding place and the two are reunited having escaped their pursuers. 

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: 95 minutes (85.5%)

Bourne attempts to outsmart the people who trained him (the longshot) who now utilize all their resources against him (ultimate opposition) as he tries to figure out who they are and what he did for them (ultimate goal). But when Bourne recalls who he was and why he doesn’t want to be an assassin anymore (all is lost) he tells Conklin he is out of the game and escapes, while Conklin is assassinated by his own operatives (the final push).

The Longshot: The lone Bourne goes up against a government agency with seemingly endless resources. 

Ultimate Goal: Figure out what Treadstone is and what he did for them. 

Ultimate Opposition: Bourne must contend with the memory of who he is and what he has done. 

Turning Point Catalyst Five – All is Lost: 98 minutes (88.8%) – Bourne tracks Treadstone to the room they’re trying to wipe. He sets off a series of car alarms outside the building to create a distraction while he climbs up the side of the building. Conklin realizes it’s Bourne making his move. Bourne gets the drop on him and tries to ask about Treadstone, but Conklin goes on the offensive, asking Bourne about his failed mission. It’s revealed that Bourne set up the hit on Wombosi himself. Bourne remembers that he had the opportunity to kill Wombosi, but he was laying on the couch with his kids and he wasn’t able to pull the trigger. He made an attempt to escape but was shot by Wombosi’s security. 

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 104 minutes (93.6%) – He tells Conklin that he doesn’t want to be an assassin anymore. He tells Conklin to tell his superiors Jason Bourne is dead. Conklin’s men break in and attempt to kill Bourne but he kills them instead. Conklin regains consciousness and tries to go after Bourne. Another one of the Treadstone assassins appears to have been sent to kill Bourne but is revealed to have been given instructions to kill Conklin by Abbot who is now running the show.

Act Run Time: 14 minutes (12.6%)

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: 109 minutes (98.1%)

Bourne reunites with Marie in a remote location and the two appear to have escaped their pasts and pursuers (the new situation).

The New Situation: 109 minutes (98.1%): Bourne walks into the sunset so to speak. Abbot has a Senate hearing where he downplays the existence of Treadstone and talks about a new program called Black-Briar. Marie now runs a Vespa shop on a Greek island where Bourne tracks her down and the two embrace.  

Act Run Time: 2 minutes (1.8%) 

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

The post Story Structure Analysis: The Bourne Identity appeared first on Six Act Structure..

Format: Movie

Released: 2003

Screenplay By: Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds

Directed By: Andrew Stanton

Run Time: 92 minutes

Character: Marlin the unfunny clownfish

New Role: Oceanic Adventurer

 

 

Plot summary of the Finding Nemo continues below…

Story Structure Analysis: Finding Nemo



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 .

Marlin the neurotic clownfish is overprotective of his son (the imperfect situation) and prevents him from doing anything fun (oppressive opposition) while trying to protect him from the dangers of the world (initial goal). But when Nemo and his new friends wander away on their first day of school and see a boat out over the drop off (the disturbance) Nemo swims out to touch it against the protests of his dad and is captured by human divers (the dilemma) forcing Marlin to brave the open sea to rescue him (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: After losing his wife and all but one of their eggs during a barracuda attack, Marlin has become overprotective of his one remaining offspring, Nemo. Marlin worries everything in their environment will harm Nemo and as a result, his upbringing is sheltered.

Initial Goal: Protect Nemo from the dangers of the world/Send him out in the world to go to school.

Oppressive Opposition: Marlin sees their entire world as a threat to his son’s safety. As a result, he oppresses Nemo’s desire to do anything remotely fun. He doesn’t want Nemo to go to his first day of school, and once there insists that he play in the kiddie section.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 11 minutes (11.9%) – Nemo’s class goes to the dropoff. Nemo and his new friends sneak off from the rest of the class to go to the edge where they see a butt* anchored out at sea and tease each other about going to touch it.

The other kids swim into the open water. Although Nemo doesn’t, Marlin catches them and assumes he was. When Marlin tells Nemo he is incapable, Nemo tells him he hates him. While Marlin is talking with the teacher, Nemo swims out and touches the butt. As he makes his way back he is captured by human divers and Marlin is blinded by another diver’s camera flash.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 16 minutes (17.3%): Marlin swims after the boat but loses it. He goes asking other fish if they saw where it went. He meets a blue tang Dory who says she saw it and agrees to show him where it went.

The New Role: Marlin becomes an oceanic explorer.

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (18.4%)

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: 17 minutes (18.4%)

Marlin leaves the safety of the reef (the unfamiliar situation) and meets strange, unhelpful fish and other creatures (incidental opposition) while trying to track the boat that took his son (transitional goal). But while we learn Nemo is to be a gift to a human girl with a penchant for killing fish (the reality check), Marlin and Dory face off with an anglerfish and get the address Nemo was taken to off the goggles dropped by the divers (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Marlin leaves the safety of the reef and enters the depths of the ocean to find his son. 

Transitional Goal: Find the boat.

Incidental Opposition: No one is initially willing to help Marlin or tell him which way the boat went. The only fish who helps turns out to have a serious memory problem. Marlin inadvertently bloodies Dory’s nose and the pair are nearly eaten by a friendly shark who loses his composure when he smells the blood.

Shark Bait! Shark Bait!

Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 25 minutes (27.1%) – Nemo is dropped into the aquarium at the dentist’s office and meets the Tank Gang. He learns he is to be a present for the dentist’s niece, Darla who killed her last fish by excessively shaking the bag.

Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 31 minutes (33.6%) – Marlin and Dory awaken to find the wrecked ship teetering on a dropoff. Startled, Dory drops the mask. She and Marlin go into the darkness of the sea trench to retrieve it. They encounter an anglerfish and are nearly eaten, but locate the mask while being pursued.

“Happy feelings gone.”

Dory reads the address off it and the pair escape. 

In the middle of the night, Nemo is awoken by the Tank Gang who initiate him into their group.

Shark Bait! Shark Bait!

Their leader Gill tells them his new escape plan to use Nemo who can fit inside the filter tube.

Act Run Time: 23 minutes (25%) 

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: 40 minutes (43.4%) 

Marlin faces off with the vastness of the ocean and his own fears (the central conflict) but stubbornly refuses to heed the advice of others (intentional opposition) as he tries to make it to the EAC (false goal). But when Dory is nearly killed by a swarm of jellyfish (the turn) Marlin gets some words of wisdom from the sea turtle that saves them that changes his perspective on his overprotectiveness of Nemo (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Marlin vs. the vast ocean and his own fears. Nemo and the tank gang vs. the dentist and his niece

False Goal: Figure out how to get to Sydney/the EAC. 

Intentional Opposition: The opposition Marlin and Dory face is primarily incidental and self-inflicted in this act since there is no antagonist intentionally out to stop them in the story. Marlin’s refusal to follow Dory’s guidance about going through the trench lead them into the bloom of jellyfish going about their jellyfish business. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 44 minutes (47.8%) – They encounter the trench the moonfish warned Dory about.

Marlin elects to swim over the trench against Dory’s protests. They run into a bloom of jellyfish. Dory is stung while they are escaping and Marlin must rescue her. 

Nemo tells Gill his dad is scared of the ocean and isn’t looking for him. Gill tells Nemo of his failed attempts to escape. Nemo and the gang try to clog the filter and Nemo is nearly killed in the process. Gill resolves to give up on the plan rather than risk Nemo’s life.

Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 51 minutes (55.4%) – Marlin awakens to find he’s on the EAC with Crush the sea turtle who saved him and Dory. Crush gives Marlin advice on how to know when your kids are ready to do things for themselves. Marlin tells the story of how Nemo was taken and everything he’s done so far to the sea turtle children. The story is relayed through the ocean and makes its way to Nigel the pelican who knows Nemo and the tank gang. Nigel takes the news to Nemo who is pretty much resigned to die. When Nemo hears all the things his dad has done, he reattempts to clog the filter and succeeds.

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (22.8%) 

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: 61 minutes (66.3%)

Marlin and Dory get lost when they exit the EAC (the doomed plan) and get themselves swallowed by a whale (self-inflicted opposition) while trying to make it to Sydney (penultimate goal). But when Marlin is convinced the whale intends to eat them (the lowpoint) he discovered Dory was right about the whale’s intentions when it spits them out in a harbor in Sydney (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Marlin and Dory think finding Sydney will be easy when they exit the EAC. Nemo and the tank gang think their plan worked to dirty up the tank in order to be placed in baggies for the cleaning. 

Penultimate Goal: Get to Sydney.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Dory’s attempt to communicate with a whale gets her and Marlin swallowed alive. 

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 68 minutes (73.9%) – Marlin and Dory are in the belly of the whale. Marlin freaks out and tries to escape while Dory is having a ball swimming around. Dory tells him that if Marlin never let anything happen to Nemo, then nothing will ever happen to Nemo, good or bad. 

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 71 minutes (77%) – The whale stops and the water begins to recede inside. Dory tries to tell Marlin the whale said to go to the back of it’s throat. Marlin tries to stop Dory from going. When she insists she can speak whale, Marlin repeats a line from the beginning of the movie, “You think you can do these things but you can’t!” and unintentionally calls her Nemo. She convinces Marlin to let go, even though she can’t guarantee something bad will happen. The whale shoots them out of its blowhole, and the pair discover that it took them to Sydney.

Act Run Time: 13 minutes (14.1%)

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: 74 minutes (80.4%)

Marlin attempts to locate Nemo in a vast city (the longshot) and is nearly eaten by seabirds and attacked by humans (ultimate opposition) as he tries to rescue his son(ultimate goal). But when Marlin mistakes Nemo’s playing dead for being dead (all is lost) Dory finds Nemo and reunites them only to be ensnared forcing Marlin to accept Nemo’s ability to help (the final push).

The Longshot: Marlin and Dory attempt to find Nemo who could be anywhere in the city of Sydney.

Ultimate Goal: Find Nemo in Sydney and rescue him.

Ultimate Opposition: The tank gang’s plan fails when the dentist installs an automatic tank cleaner. Nemo is placed in a bag for Darla who arrives shortly thereafter.

“Fishy, fishy, fishy!”

Marlin and Dory must contend with hungry pelicans and seagulls before ultimately facing off with the human dentist. Nemo’s playing dead works a little too well and Marlin thinks he was too late. Dory is trapped in a fishing net with a school of grouper and the once overprotective Marlin must allow Nemo to risk himself to save her.

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 81 minutes (88%): Nigel takes Marlin and Dory back to the harbor and apologizes for their loss. Marlin thanks Dory for her help and tells her he’s going home. She begs him not to leave her, because she feels like she’s home when she’s with him. Marlin tells her he wants to forget and swims away.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push:  84 minutes (91.3%) – Nemo just misses his dad when he enters the ocean. He encountered Dory who is distraught and confused. Nemo agrees to help her, but she doesn’t realize he’s actually Marlin’s son. When the realization hits her the set out in search of Marlin. They learn he went to the fishing grounds. Nemo and Marlin are reunited, but Dory gets caught in a fishing net with a school of grouper. Nemo enters the net and Marlin convinces the fish to swim down to escape the net.

Act Run Time: 16 minutes (17.3%)

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: 90 minutes (97.8%)

Marlin and Nemo’s role are reversed from the beginning of the movie, with Marlin excitedly waking Nemo up for school. Marlin is now more socially adept and successfully tells his sea cucumber joke. Nemo is now proud to be Marlin’s son and comes back to give him a big hug before his class departs. (the new situation).

The New Situation: 90 minutes (97.8%) – Marlin and Nemo’s role are reversed from the beginning of the movie, with Marlin excitedly waking Nemo up for school. Marlin is now more socially adept and successfully tells his sea cucumber joke. Nemo is now proud to be Marlin’s son, and comes back to give him a big hug before his class departs.

Act Run Time: 2 minutes (2.1%) 

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

 

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Format: Movie Ralph Breaks the Internet Analysis

Released: 2018

Screenplay By: Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon

Directed By: Rich Moore and Phil Johnston

Run Time: 98 minutes

Character: Wreck-it-Ralph

New Role: An internet explorer

Plot summary of the 2018 computer-animated comedy film Ralph Breaks the Internet continues below…

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Story Structure Analysis: Ralph Breaks the Internet

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 .

Ralph and Vanellope do the same thing everyday (the imperfect situation) which she has become discontented with (oppressive opposition) while Ralph wants to do it forever (initial goal). But when Ralph and Vanellope inadvertently get her game unplugged (the disturbance), Ralph has the idea to get a replacement steering wheel from eBay (the dilemma) by physically going to the internet (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Ralph is content to do the same thing everyday with his best friend Vanellope, but she has grown bored of the repetitive daily routine and the lack of challenge in her game.

Initial Goal: Goof off with his best friend Vanellope everyday after work.

Oppressive Opposition: Vanellope is discontented with her life in the arcade, while Ralph is content just to have her as a friend. Litwak plugs in a wireless router, but Surge Protector bans anyone from entering the internet. After Ralph inadvertently breaks Vanellope’s game, Litwak unplugs it, displacing all the Sugar Rush characters.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 6 minutes (6.1%) – Ralph builds Vanellope a new track but when she tries it out, the girl playing the game breaks the steering wheel. Mr. Litwak looks into buying a replacement but it’s too expensive. He decides to sell the game for parts and unplugs it, displacing the residents of Sugar Rush. 

“I brought you some candy.”

While Ralph is excited to have Vanellope staying in his game, Vanellope is sad not to have her own game anymore. Now that she’s no longer a racer Vanellope feels like she no longer has a purpose.

Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 13 minutes (13.2%) – Felix and Calhoun adopt the Sugar Rush racers when they can’t find a home. Vanellope stands Ralph up at Tapper’s, but Felix shows up needing a drink due to his unruly new kids. Felix says something that makes Ralph get the idea to go to the internet to get a replacement steering wheel for Sugar Rush. Ralph runs to Vanellope and tells her the plan. 

The New Role: An internet explorer

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (17.3%)

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: 17 minutes (17.3%)

Ralph and Vanellope arrive in the internet (the unfamiliar situation) and struggle to navigate it and the rules that govern it (incidental opposition) as they attempt to locate eBay and get the steering wheel (transitional goal). But when they drastically overbid on the wheel and realize they have to pay for it (the reality check), they recall a pop-up for making money playing video games and plan to steal a car from Slaughter Race to make the money they need (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Ralph and Vanellope go to the internet.

Transitional Goal: Find eBay and get the steering wheel. 

Incidental Opposition: The router isn’t initially on when Ralph and Vanellope enter. Vanellope worries that the internet is too big for them to ever locate eBay.

Spamley initially offers them lower dollar loot hunting items, but Vanellope demands something more lucrative. He tells them they can make $40,000 by acquiring Shank’s car from a game called Slaughter Race. 

Act Run Time: 14 minutes (14.2%) 

Ralph Breaks the Internet Analysis
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: 31 minutes (31.6%) 

Ralph and Vanellope face the denizen of the internet (the central conflict) and contend with murderous racers and internet challenges (intentional opposition) as they attempt to make enough money to pay for the steering wheel (false goal). But when Vanellope realizes she wants to live in Slaughter Race and Ralph reads the negative comments about his videos (the turn), he overhears Vanellope confiding her intentions to Shank and hatches a plan to put a virus in Shank’s game to get Vanellope to leave (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Ralph and Vanellope square off with the denizen of the internet to make money.

False Goal: Make enough money to pay for the steering wheel.

Intentional Opposition: Shank and her crew attempt to stop Ralph and Vanellope from stealing Shank’s car.

Act Run Time: 38 minutes (38.7%) 

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: 69 minutes (70.4%)

Ralph releases a virus into Slaughter Race (the doomed plan) but nearly destroys the game and kills Vanellope (self-inflicted opposition) as he tries to get her to come home to the arcade (penultimate goal). But when Ralph confesses to planting the virus and Vanellope says she doesn’t want to be his friend anymore (the lowpoint), they discover the internet is being overrun with thousands of Ralph clones created by the virus and come up with a plan to destroy them in the antivirus district (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Ralph releases a virus into Slaughter Race that destroys the game and his friendship with Vanellope. The virus escapes and replicates Ralph’s insecurity throughout the internet.  

Penultimate Goal: Put a virus in Slaughter Race to trick Vanellope into coming home. 

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Ralph intentionally releases the virus. When Vanellope finds out she dissolves their friendship. Ralph accidentally lets the virus out into the internet where it wreaks havoc.

Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 76 minutes (77.5%) – Ralph gets her out of the game just as it reboots. Vanellope is distraught for having crashed the game with her glitch. Ralph confesses that he put the virus into the game and that he overheard her talking to Shank about staying in Slaughter Race. She takes his medal and tosses it over the railing. As Ralph tries to stop her from storming off, the virus escapes Slaughter Race, sees Ralph’s insecurity and begins replicating it throughout the internet.

Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 79 minutes (80.6%) – Ralph digs through rubble on the ground floor of the internet and finds his medal broken in half. He berates himself for being an idiot. Vanellope runs into several Ralph clone viruses who chase after her. She discovers there are thousands of them overrunning the internet.

“We’re gonna wreck it!”

When one of them spots Vanellope they all chase after her. She runs to KnowsMore and tells him what’s going on. Together they take shelter in his stand as the mob of Ralph’s attacks the building. Ralph arrives by following the clones there. Ralph asks KnowsMore for a solution to their problem. He tells Vanellope to lead the clones to the antivirus district where they will be destroyed.

Act Run Time: 14 minutes (14.2%)

Ralph Breaks the Internet Analysis
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: 83 minutes (84.6%)

Ralph and Vanellope lead the clones to the antivirus district (the longshot) (ultimate opposition) (ultimate goal). But when Ralphzilla threatens to kill Ralph and Vanellope sacrifices himself to save him (all is lost) (the final push).

The Longshot: Ralph and Vanellope attempt to lead the Ralph clones through the antivirus district where they will be destroyed. 

Ultimate Goal: Destroy the insecure Ralph clones.

Ultimate Opposition: Ralph faces off with Ralphzilla, a monstrous embodiment of his self-destructive codependency. 

Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: 86 minutes (87.7%) – The Ralph clones join together to form Ralphzilla.

“We’re gonna wreck it!”

Ralphzilla captures Vanellope and takes her to the roof of the Google building where Ralph can’t reach her. Vanellope tells Ralphzilla she’ll never be his friend and he becomes furious. Ralph uses the mail train to free Vanellope but is captured himself. Vanellope sacrifices herself to Ralphzilla to save Ralph from being crushed to death. She offers to go with Ralphzilla if he frees Ralph.

Turning Point Five – The Final Push: 89 minutes (90.8%) – Ralph tells Ralphzilla it’s not right to hold a friend back from their dreams and that they both need to let her go because she’ll always be his friend. Ralphzilla releases her. Having cured his insecurity, Ralphzilla disappears. Ralph plummets to his doom, only to be rescued by the whole lineup of Disney princesses. 

Six Act Structure..

Format: Movie

Released: 2016

Written and Directed By: Damien Chazelle

Run Time: 120 minutes

Character(s): Sebastian Wilder and Mia Dolan

New Role: Partners in a synergistic relationship.

Plot summary of the 2016 romantic comedy-drama musical film La La Land (aka: Two Scorpios in a Relationship) continues below…

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Story Structure Analysis: La La Land

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.

The opening scene establishes the film will be interjected with surrealistic music numbers. We meet Mia and Sebastian and learn what they’re passionate about, acting and jazz respectively, and why. The chemistry between the two is established and built upon.

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 .

Aspiring actress Mia Dolan works as a barista (the imperfect situation) for dismissive managers and rude customers (oppressive opposition) as she tries to land acting work (initial goal). But when she reluctantly attends a party with her roommates that inadvertently leads her to a bar where a piano player enchants her (the disturbance), the two hit it off when they run into each other again and he decides to pursue her (the dilemma) in a synergistic relationship (the new role).

Sebastian Wilder is trying to get back on his feet after a bad business deal (the imperfect situation) and takes a series of demeaning gigs (oppressive opposition) as he tries to find work as a musician (initial goal). But when he’s fired for deviating from the setlist by playing a passionate jazz song that captures the attention of an aspiring young actress (the disturbance) the two continue to run into each other (the dilemma) and he decides to pursue her (the new role).

The Imperfect Situation: Mia is a lowly barista who dreams of becoming an actress. She is constantly snubbed in her auditions by distracted casting directors. 

Sebastian is a struggling musician who dreams of opening his own jazz club. He is struggling to get back on his feet after being ripped off by a former business partner and takes whatever music gigs he can get. 

Initial Goal: Mia: Find work as an actress/ Sebastian: Find work as a musician.

Oppressive Opposition: Mia’s boss is dismissive of her taking time off for auditions. The casting agents show little interest in her performances. The system seems to be working against her. When her roommates insist on taking her out, she doesn’t fit in with the Hollywood lifestyle. 

Sebastian’s sister insists that he become more responsible. When he gets a gig playing Christmas music at a restaurant, the manager refuses to let him play any jazz whatsoever. It is implied that he is being given a second chance after breaking this rule in the past. When he does it again he is immediately terminated. The next gig he gets is playing in an 80s cover band. 

Episode 1: Out of Order: 0 minutes – Sebastian and Mia first make acquaintance in LA rush hour traffic.

Love at first site.

Afterward, Mia goes to work as a barista on the Warner Brothers lot. As she leaves for an audition, a customer spills coffee on her white shirt and she’s forced to wear her coat to cover the stain. Despite how good she does during her audition, the casting agents are distracted and she’s ultimately dismissed when the director’s assistant interrupts her reading with a message. As Mia leaves, we see the casting office is filled with taller, prettier versions of her. 

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 9 minutes (7.5%) – Mia’s roommates convince her to go with them to a party and she reluctantly agrees. As she predicted, she has a terrible time there. She goes to leave only to find her car has been towed and her cell phone battery is dead. Mia sets out on foot and walks past a jazz bar playing enchanting piano music that draws her inside. There she lays eyes on the piano player and the rest of the world fades away. 

When two Scorpios meet.

Note: The Out of Order/Disturbance Episodes repeat for Sebastian.

Episode 1: Out of Order: 18 minutes (15%) – Sebastian returns to his apartment to find his sister messing with his jazz memorabilia. She tries to set him up with a girl. Their conversation reveals Sebastian is trying to get back on his feet after being ripped off by a business associate.

Episode 2: Turning Point Catalyst – The Disturbance: 21 minutes (17.5%) – Sebastian plays Christmas music at a restaurant. He tries to convince the manager to let him play a little jazz as well, but JK Simmons isn’t having it. Despite the warning, he lapses into a passionate jazz song, the same enchanting melody Mia heard from outside, and his performance gets him shitcanned by Jonah Jameson. Mia attempts to praise his performance but he blows her off. 

Episode 3: Turning Point One – The Dilemma: 26 minutes (21.6%) – Mia goes to a party where she sees Sebastian playing with an 80s cover band. He apologizes for being a jerk to her at the bar. They talk about how strange it is to keep meeting each other but continue to banter and trade insults despite the obvious chemistry between them.

No chemistry whatsoever.

They sing a duet about how they’ll never get together before Mia gets a phone call and has to leave. Sebastian walks her to her car and after she leaves, reflects positively on their exchange.

The New Role: Partners in a synergistic relationship.

Act Run Time: 38 minutes (31.6%)

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: 38 minutes (31.6%)

Mia and Sebastian start spending time together (the unfamiliar situation) despite Mia already having a boyfriend and prior obligations (incidental opposition) as they get to know each other and their respective interests (transitional goal). But when Mia flakes out on her movie date with Sebastian to go out with Greg (the reality check), the jazz playing over the intercom makes her long for Sebastian and she runs to make their date where they dance and kiss  (the commitment).

The Unfamiliar Situation: Sebastian and Mia begin spending time together and learning about one another’s dreams. 

Transitional Goal: Get to know one another and their respective interests.

Incidental Opposition: Mia already has a boyfriend. A customer at Mia’s job is disgruntled with the service. Mia doesn’t like jazz, mainly because she is ignorant about its history and true form. Mia has a prior obligation to her boring boyfriend Greg that interferes with her plans with Sebastian. When Sebastian and Mia attempt to kiss in the theater, the film breaks in the movie projector. 

Episode 4: Rushed Initiation: 38 minutes (31.6%) – After her time spent with Sebastian, Mia is in a dancing mood on her way to work. Sebastian shows up unannounced at Mia’s coffee shop, much to the chagrin of her customers.

“Is this Starbucks?”

They walk around the lot and he tells her about the jazz places he likes. She tells him about why she became an actress and how her aunt used to watch her one-girl plays. She tells him she hates jazz. He intends to change her mind. 

He takes her to a jazz club and explains the merits of jazz. Mia gets a callback on an audition. When Mia references Rebel without a Cause in a way that makes it clear she’s never seen it, Sebastian offers to take her to see the movie and the two make a date.

Episode 5: Turning Point Catalyst – The Reality Check: 48 minutes (40 %) – Mia goes to her audition but doesn’t even get to read all her lines. While preparing to meet Sebastian at the movies, she is reminded that she is supposed to be going out to eat when her boyfriend Greg pops up unexpectedly with his visiting brother. She goes to the restaurant instead of going out with Sebastian, but the other members of her party turn out to be boring yuppies. 

Episode 6: Turning Point Two – The Commitment: 51 minutes (42.5%) – Mia hears her and Sebastian’s jazz love theme playing over the overhead speaker and runs out to meet Sebastian at the cinema. She dramatically stands in front of the movie screen and he sees her. Sebastian and Mia watch Rebel Without a Cause. They hold hands. When they attempt to kiss, the film projector breaks, but Mia has an alternative plan. She and Sebastian go to Griffith Observatory and dance through clouds and space. They finally kiss.

Act Run Time: 21 minutes (17.5%) 

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.

Both Sebastian and Mia begin to question the plausibility of their dreams. Mia decides to quite her job and focus on writing a one-woman play. Sebastian takes a job playing in a jazz pop band. His new gig puts stress on he and Mia’s relationship, ultimately leading them to part ways.

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: 59 minutes (49%) 

Sebastian begins to compromise on his dreams (the central conflict) when his lack of financial security becomes an issue (intentional opposition) in his pursuit of a relationship with Mia (false goal). And when Sebastian’s old classmate offers him a position in his band, and he later overhears Mia talking about his lack of a job (the turn), Sebastian visits Keith and agrees to his offer despite his dislike for the type of music they play (the moment of truth).

The Central Conflict: Sebastian and Mia chasing their dreams vs. giving up on them.

False Goal: Be in a relationship together.

Intentional Opposition: Sebastian and Mia’s jazz club date night is interrupted by Keith who tries to enlist Sebastian in his band. Although Sebastian initially declines, Mia’s mom’s concern that he may be a bum prompts him to reconsider. Sebastian joining the band ultimately becomes the wedge in their relationship that destroys it. 

Episode 7: Hard-Earned Progress: 59 minutes (49%) – Sebastian comes to pick Mia up while she is working on her one-woman play. The couple begins hanging out regularly and going on dates all over the city. He teaches her more about jazz which she has now come to appreciate.

Perhaps not as much as him.

Episode 8: Turning Point Catalyst – The Turn: 62 minutes (51.6%) – While enjoying a night at a jazz club, Mia and Sebastian run into Sebastian’s old classmate Keith. Keith offers Sebastian a job as a keyboardist in his jazz fusion band, but Sebastian declines.

Afterward, Mia reads Seb her play, which he loves. She shows him a logo she made for his club and they have a difference of opinion over the name. When Mia inquires if he’s going to call Keith, Sebastian tells her he’s not interested in taking the job.

Episode 9: Turning Point Three – The Moment of Truth: 65 minutes (54%) – The next morning, Sebastian overhears Mia talking to her mom about him, specifically how he doesn’t have a steady gig, but will eventually open his own club. This prompts Sebastian to visit Keith, hear his offer and decide to take him up on it. The band plays well, but Sebastian doesn’t seem to enjoy himself playing their type of music. After their session, Keith tells him he is holding onto the past and needs to focus on the future. 

When Mia comes home, the two of them sing a duet of City of Stars.

Act Run Time: 12 minutes (10%) 

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: 71 minutes (59%)

Sebastian begins touring with Keith’s band (the doomed plan) under the belief it will make Mia happy (self-inflicted opposition) to see he is a working musician (penultimate goal). But when Mia accuses him of selling out, and Sebastian misses her play, she resolves to move back to Nevada (the lowpoint) until Sebastian tracks her down to tell her she has an audition (the newfound resolve).

Mia quits her job to write her play (the doomed plan) and deals with the pressures of possible failure (self-inflicted opposition) as she prepares to perform the play (penultimate goal). But when Sebastian misses it and hardly anyone attends, she decides to move back home  (the lowpoint) only to be tracked down by Sebastian with news of an audition (the newfound resolve).

The Doomed Plan: Sebastian joins Keith’s band to make Mia proud, but it instead makes her accuse him of giving up on his dreams. 

Penultimate Goal: Mia: Create and perform a one-woman play. /Sebastian: Be a working musician.

Self-Inflicted Opposition: Sebastian joins the band thinking it will make Mia happy, but his plan backfires. Not only does she think he’s sold out and abandoned his dream, but his obligations to the band also cause him to miss her play. Unable to forgive him, she resolves to move back to Nevada, bringing an end to their relationship.

Episode 10: False Sense of Heroism: 71 minutes (59%) – Sebastian officially signs a contract with Keith’s band. Mia quits her job and leases the theater for her play. Seb and Mia begin pursuing their individual pursuits.

Mia watches from a packed crowd as Sebastian performs with Keith’s band. She is dismayed to realize he’s sold out, playing a synthesizer with backup dancers on the stage. In spite of her feelings, he seems to be genuinely content with the gig.

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Episode 11: Turning Point Catalyst – The Lowpoint: 76 minutes (63.3%) – Sebastian is on tour. Mia tries to call him but can’t reach him. When she gets home, she finds he has surprised her by returning to LA and making dinner. He invites her to come to Boise with him, but she refuses, saying she needs to rehearse for her play. Seb tells her they need to try to see each other more, but he’s going to be on tour for the long haul. The two argue about Sebastian giving up on his dream to play music he doesn’t like. Mia storms out when Sebastian claims she liked him more when he was unsuccessful. 

“Look at me now!”

Sebastian forgets about an obligation to attend a photoshoot with the band’s photoshoot the same night as Mia’s play. He attends the photoshoot, but the photographer’s direction makes him feel like even more of a sellout.

Mia’s play opens to a very small audience that applauds, but she overhears some of them talking about how bad she was. Sebastian races to the theater after the photoshoot to apologize. She tearful tells him the show bombed and she’s giving up on her dream of becoming an actress and going home to Boulder City, effectively ending their relationship. Sad music plays as Sebastian goes back to playing weddings.

Episode 12: Turning Point Four – The Newfound Resolve: 92 minutes (76.6%) – Sebastian gets a call for Mia from a casting agent. He drives to Boulder to collect her, but she tells him she isn’t going. She tells him she doesn’t think she’s good enough. He reprimands her for giving up so easily and resolves to come back the next morning to take her to the audition. The next day, Mia shows up just as Sebastian is about to leave and the two head to LA for her audition. 

Act Run Time: 25 minutes (20.8%)

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.

His experience with Mia leads Sebastian to recommit to his dream. He convinces her to do the same and she lands a breakout role, becoming a famous actress. Meanwhile, Sebastian finally opens his club and, five years later, Mia and her new husband stumble into it.

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: 96 minutes (80%)

Mia attends a final audition (the longshot) and must overcome her self-doubt (ultimate opposition) to land the role of a lifetime, tailored just for her (ultimate goal). But when she asked to tell a story in lieu of a traditional audition (all is lost) she sings the story of her theater actress aunt who inspired her to chase her dreams (the final push).

The Longshot: Despite her past failures, Mia auditions for one last part. The pair realize that if she gets the part and travels to Paris, their relationship may never recommence. 

Ultimate Goal: Mia: Attend the audition of a lifetime. /Sebastian: Figure out how to open a place of his own.

Ultimate Opposition: Mia must face her fear of rejection for another audition, this time being asked to improvise a story of her own. 

Episode 13: Here’s the Plan:  96 minutes (80%) – Sebastian and Mia wait for her turn to audition. The casting director informs her the movie will be shot in Paris, and that since there isn’t a script for the film yet, the part will be written to best fit the actress.

Episode 14: Turning Point Catalyst – All is Lost: In lieu of a traditional audition, she’s instructed to simply tell them a story.

Episode 15: Turning Point Five – The Final Push: Mia sings a powerful story about her theater actress aunt who inspired her to chase her dreams. 

Afterward, she discusses her audition with Sebastian, who is confident she’s going to get the part. She asks what the status of their relationship is. He tells her that when she gets the part she has to focus on it and give it everything she has. Meanwhile, he will stay in LA to get his own thing going. 

They tell each other they’ll always love one another. 

“At least until I meet someone else.”

Act Run Time: 7 minutes (5.8%)

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: 103 minutes (85.8%)

Mia is now a famous actress, a mother and married to another man. Sebastian now owns his own successful jazz club (the new situation).

Episode 16: The New Situation: 103 minutes (85.8%): Five years later, Mia is a famous actress and is married to another man with whom she has a daughter. While out one night, the couple stumbles upon a jazz bar. Noticing the logo for Seb’s she once designed, Mia realizes it is Sebastian’s club. When Sebastian notices her in the crowd, he begins to play their love theme on the piano. A dream sequence unfolds in which the two imagine what might have been, had their relationship thrived alongside their careers. Mia shares a poignant smile with Sebastian then leaves with her husband.

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Act Run Time: 17 minutes (14.1%) 

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