Acting | Company/Organization Profiles | Letter from L.A.

The Hero’s Journey in Seven Sequences: A Screenplay Structure

1 Sep , 1998  

Written by M.M. Goldstein | Posted by:

Learn how to structure a screenplay into seven sequences in three acts.

ACT
I:
1. SET-UP: Who’s the Hero? Initial development. Where are we? What’s the story about?
THE HERO IS INTRODUCED IN HIS ORDINARY WORLD (before the adventure begins.)
2. POINT OF ATTACK: What’s their Problem? The Hero finds or defines The Problem; this
completes the First Act. Introduction to all the major issues and elements of the story.
THE CALL TO ADVENTURE; THE HERO IS RELUCTANT AT FIRST; THE HERO IS ENCOURAGED BY A WISE
OLDER ENTITY (the MENTOR.)

ACT II:
3. THE INITIAL STRUGGLE: The Hero Begins to Deal With His Problem(s). The
Journey/Adventure begins. THE HERO PASSES THE FIRST THRESHOLD. Point of no return.
4. COMPLICATIONS: The Hero Faces His First Real Enemy or Challange. He wobbles, but
comes through. It’s "Early Act II Jeopardy," his first real test, and he passes,
perhaps barely, perhaps with help. THE HERO ENCOUNTERS TESTS, ENEMIES, ALLIES.
5. VALIANT ATTEMPTS: The Hero Stumbles. Maybe the Bad Guys win one; the Final Outcome
is in doubt. "Late Act II Jeopardy." A Bigger Enemy, maybe Fate, or his Fatal
Flaw. Big enough to be really scary. THE HERO APPROACHES THE HEART OF THE ENEMY’S
FORTRESS; THE HERO ENDURES THE SUPREME ORDEAL. He struggles, suffers, loses, touches
bottom.

ACT III:
6. MAJOR CRISIS: The Hero Proves Himself Again. "Early Resolution." The Hero
fights back, and starts to win again. Some things are resolved (love, family, etc.) Bonds
are made or admitted to. THE HERO SEIZES THE SWORD, THE REWARD; THE HERO BEGINS ON THE
ROAD BACK, often CHASED by the Bad Guys.
7. CLIMAX/CONCLUSION/RESOLUTION: Tension, Release, Wisdom. "Late Resolution."
Whatever’s gonna work out, works out. And what isn’t, doesn’t. THE HERO HAS A MOMENT OF
RESURRECTION; THE HERO RETURNS WITH THE ELIXIR — the Treasure, the Truth, Whatever. But
this story is over — and the next one is about to begin.