Skill Story Structure: Шаблон для структурирования сценариев и романов

--- name: story-structure wtfbId: wtfb:story-structure description: | This skill provides three-act screenplay structure with beat placement. Covers opening image, inciting incident, midpoint, all is lost, climax, and page targets for a 110-page feature screenplay. Use when: planning screenplay structure, analyzing narrative arc, placing story beats, or validating structural integrity. --- # Story Structure Skill ## Invocation Triggers Apply this skill when: - Planning screenplay structure - Analyzing narrative arc - Placing story beats - Validating structural integrity ## Three-Act Structure ### Overview ``` ACT ONE (Setup) ≈ 25 pages (25%) ACT TWO (Confrontation) ≈ 60 pages (50%) ACT THREE (Resolution) ≈ 25 pages (25%) ≈ 110 pages total ``` ### Act One: Setup (Pages 1-25) **Goal:** Establish world, character, and conflict. | Beat | Page | Purpose | |------|------|---------| | Opening Image | 1 | Visual thesis, tone, world | | Theme Stated | 5 | Theme spoken (often missed by protagonist) | | Set-Up | 1-10 | Ordinary world, status quo | | Catalyst | 12 | Inciting incident, life disrupted | | Debate | 12-25 | Protagonist resists call to action | | Break Into Two | 25 | Commitment to journey, no turning back | ### Act Two: Confrontation (Pages 25-85) **Goal:** Escalating conflict, character tested. | Beat | Page | Purpose | |------|------|---------| | B Story | 30 | Subplot begins (often carries theme) | | Fun and Games | 30-55 | Promise of the premise delivered | | Midpoint | 55 | False victory or false defeat, stakes raise | | Bad Guys Close In | 55-75 | Obstacles intensify | | All Is Lost | 75 | Lowest point, seems hopeless | | Dark Night of the Soul | 75-85 | Reflection before final push | ### Act Three: Resolution (Pages 85-110) **Goal:** Climax and resolution. | Beat | Page | Purpose | |------|------|---------| | Break Into Three | 85 | Solution found, synthesis of lessons | | Finale | 85-110 | Final confrontation, stakes resolved | | Final Image | 110 | Transformation visualized | ## Save the Cat! Beat Sheet Blake Snyder's 15-beat structure: ```markdown 1. Opening Image (1) 2. Theme Stated (5) 3. Set-Up (1-10) 4. Catalyst (12) 5. Debate (12-25) 6. Break Into Two (25) 7. B Story (30) 8. Fun and Games (30-55) 9. Midpoint (55) 10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75) 11. All Is Lost (75) 12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85) 13. Break Into Three (85) 14. Finale (85-110) 15. Final Image (110) ``` ## The Hero's Journey (12 Stages) Christopher Vogler's adaptation of Joseph Campbell: ### Act One: Departure 1. **Ordinary World** - Hero's normal life 2. **Call to Adventure** - Problem or challenge appears 3. **Refusal of the Call** - Hero hesitates 4. **Meeting the Mentor** - Guidance received 5. **Crossing the Threshold** - Hero commits to journey ### Act Two: Initiation 6. **Tests, Allies, Enemies** - Hero is tested 7. **Approach to Inmost Cave** - Preparation for ordeal 8. **Ordeal** - Major crisis, death/rebirth 9. **Reward** - Hero gains something ### Act Three: Return 10. **The Road Back** - Return journey begins 11. **Resurrection** - Final test, transformation complete 12. **Return with Elixir** - Hero returns changed ## Sequence Method (8 Sequences) ### Structure ``` ACT ONE Sequence 1: Status Quo & Catalyst Sequence 2: Debate & Break Into Two ACT TWO (First Half) Sequence 3: Fun and Games A Sequence 4: Fun and Games B → Midpoint ACT TWO (Second Half) Sequence 5: Consequences Sequence 6: All Is Lost → Dark Night ACT THREE Sequence 7: Break Into Three → Finale A Sequence 8: Finale B → Resolution ``` ### Sequence Length - Each sequence: ~12-15 pages - Each sequence has its own mini-arc - Sequences end on a turn or revelation ## Genre Considerations ### Action - Midpoint is often big action set piece - Faster pacing through Act Two - Extended finale sequence ### Comedy - Fun and Games section is critical - Midpoint often a comic disaster - Third act reconciliation ### Drama - More time in Dark Night of the Soul - Subtler beat placement - Character-driven turns ### Horror - Midpoint: Monster fully revealed - All Is Lost: Final girl alone - Finale: Confrontation and survival ### Thriller - Midpoint: Major revelation - Bad Guys Close In is literal - Ticking clock in Act Three ## Structural Analysis Template ```markdown ## Structure Analysis: [TITLE] ### Act Breakdown | Act | Pages | Target | Variance | |-----|-------|--------|----------| | One | X-X | 1-25 | [+/-] | | Two | X-X | 25-85 | [+/-] | | Three | X-X | 85-110 | [+/-] | ### Beat Placement | Beat | Target Page | Actual Page | Status | |------|-------------|-------------|--------| | Catalyst | 12 | X | [OK/Early/Late] | | Break Into Two | 25 | X | [OK/Early/Late] | | Midpoint | 55 | X | [OK/Early/Late] | | All Is Lost | 75 | X | [OK/Early/Late] | | Break Into Three | 85 | X | [OK/Early/Late] | ### Assessment [Analysis of structural strengths and issues] ### Recommendations 1. [Specific adjustment] 2. [Specific adjustment] ``` ## Common Structural Issues ### Act One Too Long - Cut setup scenes - Enter scenes later - Combine expository scenes ### Saggy Middle - Strengthen midpoint - Add reversals - Increase obstacles ### Rushed Third Act - Earn the climax - Don't skip Dark Night - Resolution needs breath ## WTFB Three-Act Template Per "Words To Film By" methodology, use this simplified template for story planning: ### Act One Template Work out your story using these essential components: ```markdown OPENING EVENT: ___________________________________ (What first happens that grabs attention?) BASIC SITUATION: ___________________________________ (What is the protagonist's normal world?) DISTURBANCE: ___________________________________ (What disrupts the normal world?) DECISION: ___________________________________ (What choice must the protagonist make?) DRAMATIC QUESTION: ___________________________________ (The question that will be answered by the climax) ``` ### Act Two Template ```markdown CONFLICTS: ___________________________________ (What opposes the protagonist?) CRISES: ___________________________________ (What moments of critical decision arise?) OBSTACLES: ___________________________________ (What stands in the way?) COMPLICATIONS: ___________________________________ (What makes things worse?) DARK MOMENT: ___________________________________ (The lowest point before the turn) ``` ### Act Three Template ```markdown ENLIGHTENMENT: ___________________________________ (What does the protagonist finally understand?) CLIMAX: ___________________________________ (The final confrontation or decision) CATHARSIS: ___________________________________ (The emotional release and resolution) ``` ## WTFB Hero's Journey Template Alternative structure using the 12-step Hero's Journey: ```markdown 1. THE ORDINARY WORLD: ___________________________________ (Hero's normal life before the adventure) 2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: ___________________________________ (The problem or challenge that appears) 3. THE RELUCTANT HERO: ___________________________________ (Hero hesitates or refuses the call) 4. THE WISE OLD MAN: ___________________________________ (Mentor who provides guidance) 5. INTO THE SPECIAL WORLD: ___________________________________ (Crossing the threshold into adventure) 6. TEST, ALLIES AND ENEMIES: ___________________________________ (Hero is tested, meets friends and foes) 7. THE INMOST CAVE: ___________________________________ (Approach to the most dangerous place) 8. THE SUPREME ORDEAL: ___________________________________ (Major crisis, facing greatest fear) 9. SEIZING THE SWORD: ___________________________________ (Hero gains the reward/knowledge) 10. THE ROAD BACK: ___________________________________ (Return journey begins, often with pursuit) 11. RESURRECTION: ___________________________________ (Final test, transformation complete) 12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: ___________________________________ (Hero returns changed, bearing wisdom) ``` ## Narrative Types Per WTFB, identify your story's narrative approach: | Type | Description | Example | |------|-------------|---------| | **Linear** | Beginning to end chronologically | Most traditional films | | **Non-Linear** | Not chronological | Memento, Pulp Fiction | | **Multi-Narrative** | Multiple points of view | Crash, Traffic | | **Dual** | Two perspectives or time periods | The Godfather Part II | | **Fragmented** | Non-linear sequence | 21 Grams | | **Metafictive** | Breaking fourth wall | Deadpool, Ferris Bueller | | **Personal** | Autobiography, biopic | The Pursuit of Happyness | ## Aristotle's Six Components The foundational elements of drama (per Aristotle): 1. **Plot**: The arrangement of events or incidents 2. **Characters**: Provide motivation, plot, and conflict 3. **Language**: Dialogue (both dramatic and narrative) 4. **Themes**: Thought and ideas behind the story 5. **Rhythm**: Music/mood (the emotional pacing) 6. **Spectacle**: The set, costumes, and special effects **The Greeks' Essential Truth**: A show or scene must have a beginning, middle, and end. - Beginning: Protagonist lives a good life but has a great character flaw - End of Beginning: Reversal of fortune brought on by the flaw - Middle: Protagonist fights change but recognizes error, changes from ignorance to knowledge (too late) - End: Catastrophe brings suffering, resulting in soul cleansing (catharsis) ## Validation Checklist - [ ] Three acts properly proportioned - [ ] Catalyst by page 12 - [ ] Clear Break Into Two - [ ] Strong Midpoint - [ ] All Is Lost moment exists - [ ] Theme stated and proven - [ ] Character arc complete - [ ] Opening/Final images mirror or contrast - [ ] Narrative type identified - [ ] WTFB template completed - [ ] Aristotle's six components addressed