Act One:
Premise set-up. Pages 1-3.
- One or two scenes that quickly set-up the premise of the episode.
- Premise of the episode should contain a clear character goal for the protagonist.
- Bonus: establish any stakes.
- By no later than page 3, certainly not past page 4, the protagonist should be ready to tackle the premise of the episode.
- The protagonist's decision to tackle the premise of the episode helps to facilitate the end of act one moment, and pushes the action forward into act two.
- The action develops into a significant turning point.
- It follows the protagonist's efforts to take on the premise of the ep but things backfire or don't go as planned.
- It prompts a different course of action or re-think.
- 'Turning point one' is a significant story beat but it's not necessarily one scene.
- A couple of scenes or mini-story beats should lead us to 'turning point one' no later than page 5.
- The stakes and jeopardy are raised.
- A midpoint, if you like.
- All story turning points are generally led by the protagonist. They drive the story with their character goal and objectives.
- A lot of fun and action will be occurring around this section. The height of audience engagement.
- But things are increasingly getting worse in the story. And 'turning point two' occurs no later than page 8.
- This is the action that leads us to the end of act two.
- Everything develops to a seeming defeat or disaster. The 'all is lost' moment, if you like.
- It doesn't look like the protagonist will achieve or overcome the premise of the ep.
- This key moment should be despite the protagonist's best efforts. They should ideally never be passive in the story.
- The end of act two is no later than page 10, as a guide (page 11 at a stretch). The protagonist will probably get an idea that there may be a way to resolve the story after all.
- A swift resolution of the story as the protagonist finally achieves or overcomes the premise of the ep.
- But not without a twist or fun bit of action. It shouldn't be too straightforward or a quick fix.
- The protagonist gets the outcome they need, not necessarily wants. But it can be both!
- The theme or moral of the episode should play out here. But not in a sickly preachy way, no sir.
- A comic coda or button to end on is always welcome.