'The Meeting' (my project)
Because my project is only a short film (10 minutes), I have decided to use a 2 act structure (instead of a a 3 act structure), due to this specific structure being suitable for shorter films. For example, half-hour TV dramas (such as 'Friends') follow this structure, as well as the short film 'Soft' which I watched.
To help my understanding on the key elements needed in a 2 act structure, I have decided to base it around my project, 'The Meeting'. This fits perfectly for this structure as 2 act structures are ideal for short films (such as the short film 'Soft' which I studied).
In general, the introduction of any story (especially shorter ones) is crucial - the audience need to know the main story as well as adapt to the story ingredients (i.e. the setting, characters, plot). Additionally, a 2 act structure must start with a 'hook' - a turn of the story which leads to the problem and more importantly makes the audience want to read on. This is how I plan to open the first 2-3 minutes of my story in brief:
- The gritty location of the story must be evident. For example, showing camera shots of multi-storey flats and run down areas.
- Tay is introduced - we learn about him instantly from what he is wearing, loud music, state of his room, etc.
- Tay then goes downstairs about to leave the house until he is approached by his mother who questions what he is doing. He doesn't tell her leaving to his mother's concerns, which raises Tay's anger. The two characters begin to argue and tension rises until Joe enters the room.
- Here we have little insight into who Joe is - his first scene is him leaving his bedroom to him sticking up for his mother.
- The argument escalates eventually leading to Tay to push Joe on the floor and him storming out of the house (hook).
After this dramatic opening, the audience should then be given some breathing space. This should then consist of a parallel narrative of the two characters - it could show Tay going to meet his gang whilst undertaking a drug deal whilst Joe is on his way to school. However, whilst Joe is walking to school, he should walk through the location on where he gets mugged (Jacksons Field) and must give subtle hints to the final climax.
Here, a couple of boys (who are from Tay's gang but the audience don't know this) are seen staring at Joe as he walks past. Joe then stares back due to him still being angry from earlier - this creates a problem as Joe is unaware that the boys are part of Tay's gang. Following on, Joe is then threatened and eventually chased him until Joe reaches the main road next to the field where he is safe. This ends the first act with a cliffhanger thus making the audience want to read on.
Act 2
Switching back to Tay, him and his gang should be shown walking to Jacksons fields, where they meet the boys who chased his brother, Joe. Unaware of this, the gang plan they're next crime - perhaps a robbery on a house. Whilst in discussion, one of the boys whom chased Joe see him walking home from school at the top of Jackson's field. They wait for him to walk past so that the gang can come up behind him.
This builds up tension for the final climax. Joe is approached and pushed around by the boys who chased him. Joe calls for Tay's help, but Tay does nothing. This is until one of the boys begins to mug Joe. Unaware that Joe is Tay's brother, Tay casually tells the gang to stop as he is only a boy. This is the point of no return in my story as we learn that Tay is becoming concerned and worried about his gang attacking his brother. Suddenly, halfway through the mugging, Tay pushes the boys of telling them to leave him alone. This is the moment of truth - Tay finally stands up for his brother due to him being family.
The gang then begin to turn on Tay, dramatically leading to the climax of Tay being stabbed. The gang then run away and the two brothers are left alone with Joe calling for help, however the story ends on a cliff-hanger and it is unknown whether Tay survives or not.
In my opinion, I feel that my story fits well in a 2 act structure, which when broken down you can identify the key elements of the structure:
Act 1
Hook - The family argument leading to Joe being pushed on the floor by his brotherProblem - The recognition of Joe being stared at by the boys at Jacksons
Cliffhanger - Joe being chased by the boys
Act 2
Tension - The gang recollecting and following JoeMoment of Truth - Tay sticking up for his brother
Climax - The stabbing of Tay