Act I sets the tension and gets the hero up the tree by establishing the characters, the story world, the story premise, and the conflict. We learn who the protagonist is and what he wants. We become familiar with his world before that world gets disrupted, and we are encouraged to like him, or at least develop some sympathy toward him. We are also introduced to the setting. We learn where and when the story is taking place, and we are introduced to the rules of this story world. An event must happen in Act I-something that disrupts our protagonist's world and elicits action from him-to set the story in motion. This event is called the Inciting Incident, and it often occurs within the first 10 pages. The first major twist in the story-the first major reversal-occurs at the end of Act I. The protagonist has experienced a major change in his life and has made an initial decision about how to react to this change, and the conflict has been established. Act I usually covers 25% of the screenplay.
If your opening image grabs the audience's attention, you have roughly ten pages after that opening to convince them that your film is worth watching. Don't believe that? The next time you go to a movie, ask yourself how you feel about it after the first ten minutes. If you're bored or confused, you'll likely deem it a failure. If you're riveted, odds are that you'll consider it a success.
The first ten pages provide an initial criterion on which to judge the ensuing story. They should provide just enough information to establish a clear world without giving too much of the eventual plot away, and they should create enough mystery to keep the audience wondering what's in store.
Your first ten pages should accomplish the following tasks:
- Introduce the main characters
- Establish the primary environments
- Convey a distinct mood or atmosphere
- Establish the time period
- Illustrate a routine or way of life
- Provide any relevant backstory (events that transpired before the story began)
- Introduce the antagonist
If you haven't already settled on an ending to your script, now is the time to do it. If you don't know where the script is going, how will you determine which pieces of information to highlight at the beginning?
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January release for 'Red Cliff 2'
Film News: Second installment gets release date -- The second installment of John Woo’s $80 million period epic “Red Cliff” will premiere Jan. 15 in China, the first step in a tightly coordinated Asian release campaign.
Sony premieres Blu-ray in China
Film News: Studio first to distribute format in country -- Sony Pictures is poised to become the first Hollywood studio to distribute Blu-ray DVDs in China. Move comes as pirates in China are beginning to trade in new forms of fake discs.
Warner Bros. gets 'Lucky'
Film News: Studio obtains rights to Sparks bestseller -- Warner Bros. has cut a seven-figure deal for the movie rights to "The Lucky One," the latest bestseller by Nicholas Sparks.
MGM picks up 'Vibes'
Film News: Studio aquires rights to Ryan novel -- MGM has acquired Amy Kathleen Ryan's young adult novel "Vibes" and tapped "Nancy Drew" screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen to adapt.
'Soloist' to be released April 24
Film News: Date change for DreamWorks, Paramount film -- DreamWorks and Paramount have agreed to release fact-based Jamie Foxx-Robert Downey Jr. drama "The Soloist" on April 24 instead of March 13.
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