The Basics of Story
STORY ELEMENTS
Place, Character, Plot, Theme
Place: The Where and When. How will you describe it? What is important for the audience to know? What is it about the place and time that gives evidence to support your theme or provides information that helps the audience understand the plot?
Characters: The Who. How will you describe them? What is important for the audience to know? Describe with purpose; include the important information that helps convince the audience of your point of view.
Plot: The What. What is the vehicle that takes the audience from the beginning to the end of the movie? The full sequence of events.
Theme: The Why. What you are trying to say with your story? Why should this story be told? It can be helpful to articulate it for yourself in a complete sentence. The clearer you are about your theme, and the more you connect it to all the other story elements, the more effective your storytelling will be. Take a stand and support it with evidence. (Theme examples: love conquers all, good triumphs over evil, a big city can be a lonely place)
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
Act I
How will you describe the Place?
How will you describe the Characters?
What is the Premise and how will you introduce it?
What story elements will support the plot and theme?
Act II
What is the most important story information and what evidence will support the theme?
What conflicts prevent the main character from reaching his/her goal and create visual drama/comedy/pathos/interest?
How will you escalate the drama/comedy/pathos/interest up to the climax? (Starting with the smallest situation and working up to the biggest.)
What revelation will lead to the resolution?
Why that particular turning point? What does it say about the character and how does it connect to the theme?
Act III
How will you present the conclusion?
How will you allow time and space for the viewers to take in the joy, despair, drama or comedy of the climax/conclusion?
Was the theme supported with enough evidence to convince the audience?