How to Build Your Story Structure

Summary

In this insightful video, the speaker discusses the importance of story structure in filmmaking, dispelling the notion that it stifles creativity. Using Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' as a case study, they demonstrate how even innovative films adhere to structural principles, emphasizing the midpoint's role in raising stakes. The video advocates for structure as a guiding tool for storytelling, comparing it to building a house with a foundation. It also highlights the value of originality in execution and the speaker's personal approach to a six-act structure, using 'The Ring' as an example. The speaker shares their experience with Millinote, a digital creative tool, for organizing story development, and encourages continuous writing, shooting, and editing as the core of the craft.

Takeaways

• 📝 The script discusses the importance of story structure in filmmaking and counters the notion that adhering to structure stifles creativity.
• 🎬 It uses Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' as an example to show that even original films follow a structural framework, emphasizing the midpoint of the story where stakes are raised.
• 🔄 The speaker advocates for the use of structure as a roadmap for storytelling, comparing it to the foundation of a house that allows for unique expressions in execution.
• 💡 Originality in filmmaking is often found in the execution and the filmmaker's unique voice, rather than in completely disregarding traditional structures.
• 📚 The script references 'Save the Cat' and other resources that emphasize the importance of the midpoint in raising stakes and changing direction in a story.
• 📈 The speaker shares their personal writing process, which involves a six-act structure and ideas from the 'Save the Cat' beat sheet.
• 📑 The use of Millinote as a digital creative wall for story prep and development is highlighted, showcasing its utility in organizing and visualizing story elements.
• 🎞️ A detailed breakdown of 'The Ring' is provided to illustrate the six-act structure, explaining how each act contributes to the overall narrative.
• 🔑 The concept of considering each act as a short film and hitting specific story points or 'beats' is introduced to make the writing process more manageable.
• 🎥 The speaker reflects on their own short films, noting that even when not consciously applying structure, the films still align closely with traditional narrative frameworks.
• 🔄 The importance of writing, shooting, and editing as a cycle of continuous improvement in filmmaking is emphasized, regardless of the approach to structure.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of discussion in the video script is story structure, particularly in relation to film, and the importance of understanding and applying it even when creating original content.

Why does the speaker mention 'Feed America' and other charities?

The speaker mentions 'Feed America' and other charities as a reminder for viewers to consider donating to those in need, especially during the holiday season, and provides a list of charities in the notes for additional giving options.

What is the speaker's stance on the use of structure in filmmaking?

The speaker believes that structure should not be disregarded in filmmaking. They argue that even though some filmmakers like Christopher Nolan are considered original and not bound by traditional structure, they still follow a form of structure in their storytelling.

Can you provide an example of how the speaker uses 'Inception' to illustrate the concept of a film's midpoint?

The speaker uses 'Inception' to illustrate the midpoint by pointing out the scene where the stakes are raised and the direction of the film changes. This happens when the character states that they will be killed if they do not continue with their mission as quickly as possible.

What is the significance of the midpoint in a film according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, the midpoint in a film is significant because it is a moment where the stakes are raised, often leading the film in a new direction, and is a key element in the overall structure of storytelling.

How does the speaker address the idea that structure leads to unoriginal filmmaking?

The speaker argues against this idea by stating that originality is often found in the execution and the filmmaker's unique voice, rather than in the adherence or non-adherence to structure. They emphasize that all filmmakers are inspired by previous works and that structure can serve as a foundation for creativity.

What is the speaker's personal approach to using structure in their storytelling?

The speaker uses structure as a roadmap to guide them through their story. They start by being conscious of structural ideas, then forget about them to focus on telling the best story possible. They have adopted a six-act structure that incorporates elements from the 'Save the Cat' beat sheet.

What tool does the speaker mention for story preparation and development?

The speaker mentions 'Millinote' as the tool they use for story preparation and development. It serves as a digital creative wall that allows them to structure and rearrange ideas easily.

How does the speaker apply the six-act structure to the film 'The Ring'?

The speaker breaks down 'The Ring' into six acts, detailing how each act sets up the world and characters, raises the stakes, introduces the midpoint, and leads to the climax and resolution, using specific moments from the film as examples.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of structure in writing and filmmaking?

The speaker advises not to discount the process of structure too soon and not to look down on others for using it. They emphasize that writing is a skill with a craft to it, and structure serves as a foundation that allows for creativity to build upon.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Embracing Story Structure in Filmmaking

This paragraph discusses the importance of story structure in filmmaking, challenging the notion that structure inhibits creativity. It emphasizes that even acclaimed directors like Christopher Nolan follow a structural framework, using 'Inception' as an example to illustrate the film's clear midpoint and stake-raising. The speaker argues that structure can serve as a guide, not a constraint, and that originality often lies in execution rather than in disregarding established narrative techniques.

05:01

📚 Utilizing a Six-Act Structure for Storytelling

The speaker introduces a six-act structure as a method for organizing narrative elements, referencing 'The Ring' as a case study. They describe how each act serves a specific purpose, from establishing the world and characters to escalating the stakes and reaching the climax. The paragraph also mentions the use of Millinote as a tool for organizing and visualizing the story development process, highlighting its features for note-taking, idea mapping, and maintaining structure.

10:03

🎥 Reflecting on the Unconscious Adherence to Structure in Short Films

In this paragraph, the speaker reflects on their experience with short films, noting that while they don't consciously apply a structured approach, their work still aligns closely with narrative structures. Using 'Ballistic' as an example, they demonstrate how key narrative beats naturally fell into place, adhering to a structured timeline without premeditation. The speaker concludes by advocating for the importance of writing, shooting, and editing as a cyclical process to hone one's craft.

Keywords

💡Story Structure

Story structure refers to the organization of the events within a narrative. It is a framework that helps to guide the progression of a story from beginning to end. In the video, the speaker emphasizes that structure should not be seen as restrictive but as a tool to help storytellers effectively convey their ideas. The video discusses how even acclaimed filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, often cited for their originality, still adhere to some form of structure in their films.

💡Midpoint

The midpoint of a story is a crucial narrative moment where the stakes are raised, and the story often takes a new direction. The video uses the film 'Inception' as an example, pinpointing the midpoint at the 70-minute mark where the characters realize the gravity of their situation and the narrative shifts to a new level of intensity.

💡Originality

Originality in storytelling is the quality of being novel or innovative. The video script challenges the notion that adherence to structure stifles originality, arguing instead that originality can be found in the execution of ideas and the unique voice of the filmmaker. It suggests that all filmmakers draw inspiration from previous works, and this does not diminish their originality.

💡Six-Act Structure

The six-act structure is a narrative framework that divides a story into six distinct parts, each with its own purpose and function. The video describes how the speaker uses this structure as a roadmap for developing stories, breaking down the acts of 'The Ring' to illustrate how this framework can be applied to create a compelling narrative.

💡Millinote

Millinote is a digital tool for story preparation and development, likened to a digital creative wall. The speaker mentions using Millinote to organize ideas, create boards, and manage the story's structure. It allows for flexibility in rearranging story elements and provides a visual representation of the narrative's progression.

💡Stakes

In storytelling, stakes refer to what is at risk for the characters, which drives the narrative forward. The video script discusses how raising the stakes at the midpoint of a story can create tension and propel the plot. An example from 'Inception' is given where the characters face the threat of being killed, thus increasing the urgency of their mission.

💡Character Development

Character development is the process by which a character's personality, abilities, and relationships evolve over the course of a story. The video touches on the importance of setting up characters and their relationships early in the story, using 'The Ring' as an example where the characters' dynamics and backstories are established to deepen audience engagement.

💡Call to Action

A call to action is a narrative device that prompts a character to embark on a journey or take a significant step in the story. In the script, the call to action is illustrated when Rachel is asked to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding Katie's death, setting the story in motion.

💡B Story

The B story is a secondary plotline that runs alongside the main story (A story) and often serves to complement or contrast with it. The video mentions the B story in 'The Ring', which involves Rachel's difficult relationship with Noah, adding depth to the main narrative and providing a subplot that enriches the overall story.

💡All Is Lost Moment

The 'all is lost' moment is a point in a story where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge or defeat, often leading to a turning point. The video describes this moment in 'The Ring' when Richard commits suicide, marking a significant setback for the characters and intensifying the narrative's tension.

💡Resolution

Resolution in a story refers to the final part where conflicts are resolved, and the narrative is concluded. The video discusses how the resolution can offer a glimpse into a new normal or, in the case of 'The Ring', an unsettling realization that things are not truly resolved, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Highlights

Story structure is often misunderstood as a constraint, but it serves as a guide for filmmakers.

Feed America charity is supported, encouraging donations to help those in need during the year.

Christopher Nolan is cited as an example of a filmmaker who supposedly defies structure, yet his films like 'Inception' do follow a structured approach.

The midpoint of a film is crucial for raising stakes and shifting direction, exemplified in 'Inception' at the 70-minute mark.

Originality in filmmaking is not about ignoring structure but about how one executes and brings their voice to the story.

A comparison between 'Inception' and 'Paprika' shows that even original films draw inspiration from previous works.

Every filmmaker stands on the shoulders of those who came before, using knowledge and creativity as a foundation for originality.

Structure can act as a tool for guiding the storytelling process, especially for long-form narratives.

The speaker shares their personal journey with structure, moving from a strict adherence to using it as a flexible roadmap.

A six-act structure is introduced, with 'The Ring' used as an example to illustrate how acts are broken down and function within the story.

Millinote is recommended as a digital tool for story prep and development, allowing for organization and flexibility in idea placement.

The importance of considering setup and payoff in every element of a script is emphasized for creating a cohesive narrative.

Each act is treated as its own short film, making the overall structure more manageable and allowing for easier adjustments.

The speaker's short film 'Ballistic' is analyzed, showing an organic adherence to the six-act structure without intentional application during creation.

The use of images, tone, and character boards in Millinote helps to convey the story's mood and provides inspiration during the writing process.

The final message encourages writers to find their own process, whether it involves strict structure or a more freeform approach, as long as they continue to create.

Transcripts

we're talking story structure today but

before we do a reminder that we do have

that donate button down below this week

we have feed america

so as always if you do have the means

please consider giving help to those who

really need it especially

at this time of year and i have a list

of some other great charities i give to

in the notes below as well if you do

want to do more including being able to

help some kids in foster homes have a

christmas so give that a look as well

the structure shouldn't be a dirty word

but often it is it doesn't mean you need

to follow the details of any one

specific formula or format every movie

has a beginning middle and end or in

more

structured terms setup midpoint and

payoff but inevitably

whenever we talk about structure some

people get triggered often christopher

nolan will be brought up as a very

original filmmaker

that doesn't adhere to structure and

that's why his movies are so great

and i agree that his movies are great

and he is pretty original with his

stories and execution

but i would disagree that he doesn't

follow structure to talk about that

let's look at inception before we do

that let's talk about what a midpoint of

a film is it's personally one of my

favorite moments because

it's a moment where you make a shift

often raise the stakes and

take the film to a new direction in most

places that i've read about structure

including save the cat there's an

emphasis on the midpoint

raising the stakes like i said before

now inception is a 2 hour and 20 minute

movie so

going along the general rule of thumb

that one page equals one minute let's

assume that this was a 140 page script

which

puts our midpoint at 70 pages or 70

minutes or

1 hour and 10 minutes so let's jump to

that point in the film and see what we

have

we go any deeper we just raise the

stakes i am sitting this one out on this

level boys

fisher security is surrounding this

place as we speak 10 hours of flight

time is a week at this level that means

each and every one of us will be killed

that i can

guarantee you you have no other choice

but to continue on and do it as fast as

possible

i mean i

the character literally states in the

dialogue that the stakes are being

raised the film doesn't just

adhere to the structural idea it says it

out loud the dialogue even goes on to

say how things are changed

again out loud and we move in a new

direction of the film i'm using this as

an example because i've seen so many

people

combat structure with nolan films

specifically with inception

often saying that any form of structure

leads to unoriginal uniform

filmmaking but let's talk about that

idea of originality let's compare some

scenes from inception

to a film called paprika which came out

four years earlier

intruding into another human's dream is

a technological nightmare

and eventually that kind of personal

intrusion into the mind can only lead to

violence

that many contraptions should never have

been created now to be clear i'm not

bashing nolan i'm not saying he's

unoriginal or stole anything inception

is easily one of my favorite films of

the last 20 years and i think

he's a brilliant filmmaker the point

here is is that all filmmakers are

inspired by other work standing on the

shoulders of knowledge and creativity

that came before them and that doesn't

make it

unoriginal often originality is found

largely in the execution and the

execution

is based on your voice who you are and

how you see the world

think about a house you need a

foundation walls electrical work

plumbing a roof but every house can look

entirely different from each other and

they can feel

entirely different from each other and

of course i'm not saying that every

filmmaker thinks about structure or even

follows it i think most do but

if it goes against the way that you work

if it doesn't work for you

ignore it completely craig mason has an

amazing podcast that talks about writing

and structure

and how good writing just inherently

lands into one link for that in the

notes below so what i'm saying is

don't get wrapped up in film school

prestige thinking that makes you

discount the process too soon or

look down on others for using that

process if it doesn't work for you

it doesn't make you wrong and it doesn't

make the other filmmaker wrong either

the way structure has worked for me

so far is as a road map to help me

through my story we talked a bit about

this in an episode we did earlier this

year with ricky staub

but the gift that looking into structure

and using it gave me in the beginning of

my career

was to be a guiding light toward

wrapping my head around telling a long

form story

if you've ever tried to craft then write

an effective feature narrative

you know how tough it can get when first

starting out it's like being dropped in

the middle of a dense forest that you've

never been in

than being told to find your way home so

for me structure acted as a tool like a

compass or a map to help guide me in a

direction

at this point i have been doing it for a

while in the past two years i've been

diving in

a lot more than ever before and though i

feel my process

is always changing i have one now that

has been working pretty well for me and

that is a sort of six

act structure thinking that peppers in

some ideas from the save the cat beat

sheet i'll be conscious of these ideas

when first starting to plant my story

flag then at some point i'll forget all

about them

and focus on just telling the best story

i possibly can but let's explain

how i look at six acts using the ring

which if you haven't read the script

definitely worth a read if you're a

horror fan and if you haven't seen the

film this

is your spoiler warning and to build

this out a little bit let's jump into

millinote here who is a partner on this

episode i did talk about them before in

another episode but

i've completely moved over to millinote

for my story prep and development

it's like a digital creative wall i like

to keep things structured and have the

ability to move ideas around so this

thing

has been a godsend with its columns and

its boards i love how you can create

boards in here and keep drilling down to

stay clean and structured

then you have these columns that you can

drop notes into

images to drive the tone links that

populate with a preview

and an app so you can drop ideas in at

any time i'm always waking up

at like two in the morning three in the

morning and i have an idea that i want

to drop down but it ends up being put in

so many different

places so now instead of using like five

different apps

i'm mostly just using this one it's

pretty great and you can get a free

account

to start using it right now too there is

a paid account which is the one that i'm

on and it gives you a lot more but the

free account is also pretty badass and a

great place to start so definitely

check that out in the notes below but

inside of this board i'm going to start

creating

columns for my six act structure which

isn't my original idea plenty of people

have talked about this and refined it

again

i'm just standing on the shoulders of

creatives that came before me but we

have act 1a

1b 2a 2b 3a and 3b

in act 1 of course we're setting up our

world and our characters in act 1a

specifically

we land the stakes of horror with

katie's death then we meet aiden and

rachel set up our themes

then katie's mom asks our lead rachel to

look into what happened which this

is our call to action our catalyst that

kicks the story into motion

and that moment also moves us into act

1b rachel accepts the journey but isn't

fully committed

she follows the mysteries which begin to

reveal things that perk her curiosity

and that takes her to the cabin katie

stayed at and the videotape that she

ended up watching

rachel watches the tape the phone rings

and that is the moment

that kicks us into act 2 or act 2a

there's no turning back now

she has to do this because her life

might depend on it in act 2a you also

often have a b story kickoff in this

film the b story is her difficult

relationship with noah

we also move into what a lot of people

call the fun and game section in an

action film

we get exciting set pieces in horror

films we get the scares

we continue building our story and

momentum to the midpoint

which shifts us into act 2b like i said

before the midpoint is where we raise

the stakes it's truly our point of no

return in the ring that moment comes

just three minutes before dead middle of

the film when aiden watches the tape now

it's not just her life on the line it's

her sons in act 2b

i've noticed that more often than not

there's a change somehow we shift up

scenery often the story literally moves

to a new location like in the ring when

rachel goes to the island but that shift

can be found in other ways as well i

think

the idea here is sort of like a bridge

and a song

something that changes it up keeps the

story from feeling redundant or

predictable and now

we're headed toward act three things are

getting worse we find

out what's really going on and we have

our all as lost moment which in this

film is where richard kills himself

this will never stop you coming here

proves that

where is she please i have to stop her

if i don't my son will die oh yes

she never sleeps wait no

and that kicks us into act 3 with 3a in

act 3a we move into our final push

everything that we learned so far has

brought us to this point

it's the go for broke section that leads

to our climax which in the ring

is our well moment rachel finds the body

all seems okay after this

and that moves us into 3b the aftermath

that can be a resolution a glimpse at a

new normal or in the case of the ring

the realization that things are not okay

after all so with that in mind i'll fill

out these boxes with general must-have

ideas like you see

there and something that can be very

useful is keeping

other mile markers in mind as well like

story points you want to hit

and when i consider everything a setup

and a payoff every character moment line

of dialogue

scene and so on are all in service of a

setup or a payoff and this creates

landmarks in my script from where

certain things can happen

it's also helpful to me that i consider

each one of those acts their own sort of

short film

1a 1b 2a 2b so you're not trying to

cross this massive hill all at once

you're taking little hills at a time

but i'll build it all out in here in

millinote and then i can start shifting

things around

i'll have all these story beats that i

know i want to hit and where i

originally think i can place them but

what happens if i push this moment over

to here instead

and so on it allows you to reorder

things quickly and see a sort of 35 000

foot

view of your story overall and how

things seem to play out and something i

think is really interesting with my own

work like with my short films for

instance i'm never thinking about

structure with short films i always just

do

what i feel is right for the project as

i'm going i know my beginning middle and

end

of course which is a structure but no

more than that but when i take these

same ideas

and look at one of my shorts like

ballistic i found that it stuck

incredibly close to that structure for

instance let's just build that out in

here with all the main structure points

i normally

think about the six acts and the markers

so we'll base where things should be

on around a 15 page count so with that

in mind our theme stated moment should

be between one

and two minutes and in my short film

right at the one minute and 11 second

mark we had this

wake up dave wake up

baby look at me listen the sirens

there's a man in the house we're going

to keep moving

right we can hide get

up then at the end of 1a our catalyst

should happen between

2 and 3 minutes and at 2 minutes and 12

seconds

this happens

[Music]

next we have our shift in act two which

should in this framework happen at the

three minute mark so when we jump there

we find this our no turning back moment

she is in this thing now

then our fun and game section should be

happening between four and eight minutes

and that's where we get the set piece

until we hit our midpoint around seven

and a half minutes in the moment where

the stakes are raised then we have the

all is lost moment of 2b

which in this format should be around 10

minutes and at

exactly 10 minutes here's what happens

please

don't i just want to share your phone

shoot him or he will kill us

both no i will not hurt you

i won't hurt your mother dana i swear

[Music]

leave her alone i was gonna leave it

alone i was gonna leave you both alone

after that of course we move into act

three and our final climax and it all

lines up

very closely what's interesting is i

never once thought about structure not

while writing

and certainly not while editing but in

the end there it is

again i'm building all this out in

millinote and at some point i'll be able

to show you guys the current work that

i've been building

in it but of course i can't do that

right now but this is pretty similar to

that sort of idea i'll often throw in

images to help convey the tone or a

moment

or as inspiration i'll also build out

character boards to flesh out those

ideas

often doing some fantasy casting just

wish list of people

that i would like to play the roles

which does help me get specific when

writing we did a much deeper look on

millinote and its functions in another

episode so definitely give that a look

it was a game changer for me i think

you'll like it too

and again you can use it for free to

start so link in the notes on that and

while you're in the links check out some

great blog articles

on our site from colin kelly he did a

fantastic series on color grading that

is really a must read he also has a

solid youtube channel

of his own all about color work so look

into that too but to wrap it up

of course i'm not saying you should

stick closely to any one structure i'm

not saying mine is the one you should

use either all that i'm saying

is that writing is a skill there's craft

to it and just like a dp

probably isn't thinking about the

science behind her craft at all times it

is there and it's the foundation that

lets her get

more creative and build on that sturdy

foundation

so throw it all out or find your own

regardless of what works for you the

only thing that really matters in the

end is that you continue to write

shoot edit repeat

[Music]

you