The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 49 | Michael Arndt's Act 1 Masterclass
60 snips
Jun 13, 2021 AI Snips
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Act One Structure
- Focus on crafting a strong first act break to maximize audience engagement.
- Establish both the hero's long-term goal and their short-term plan within Act 1.
Mirroring the Hero's Thirst
- Reflect the hero's thirst or deficit in the external world, mirroring it in the larger world's state.
- This creates a powerful resonance and amplifies audience engagement with the hero's journey.
Close Encounters Example
- In Close Encounters, Spielberg builds suspense by showcasing a global mystery before introducing the hero.
- Dreyfus's character becomes infected with the same thirst for answers, creating maximum rooting interest.