WRITING- WESTERNS & THREE ACT STRUCTURE

Photo property of Doris McCraw

This is the third in the series of screenwriting, novel/story writing. You can read parts one and two here:

writers and screenwriters

Archtypes and Myth of the West

In screenwriting, a majority of films, especially the older films, are based on the three act structure. Below is an overview of the concept.

The three act structure:
• The great Greek philosopher Aristotle was the first to concluded, in his works "the Poetics", that stories should have a single whole action or a story arc.
  • Beginning – There must be a motivating event that kicks a story off. The purpose is to get the attention of the audience.
  • Middle – There must be trials and tribulations for the story to move through. Done correctly the purpose will build an emotional roller coaster connection with the audience.
  • End – This is the climax and resolution. Once the audience has built an emotional bond they expect a logical outcome.
• Concerning the three act structure, Aristotle is only concluding that most individuals respond and comprehend the three act structure.

Think of your favorite story or movie. Does it fit the three act structure? I love the B Western movies with stars such as Allan ‘Rocky’ Lane, Bob Steele, and early John Wayne. Do they follow the three act structure? It begins with the conflict/ set up, then the stakes rise/rising action which eventually leads to resolution. If you study them, yes they do. To view 'Rocky' Lane on YouTube: Death Valley Gunfighter

Allan 'Rocky' Lane

How about the novel? Probably most of your favorite stories will follow this structure. Take a look and do your own examination.

So as we write our stories or screenplays, what that story arc is what we call plot.

• Plot composition can be viewed as:
  • The “Arch plot” is the most common plot composition, and the obvious reason for that is that it’s generally build around a three act structure. As stated by Aristotle the audience typically wants a single whole action or a story arc to happen. The audience builds empathy or sympathy for the characters and would prefer those characters learn something on their journey from point “A” to point “B”.
  • Other plot structures include Mini Plot, Anti Plot, and Non Plot. These generally fall into the concept of shattering expectations.

• Shattering expectations:
  • As stated a few times writing is NOT a list of rules, but a list of principles. Once mastering the art of writing the Arch plot three act structure story, one might want to venture into the unknown. This is where breaking the mold of the Arch plot can be enjoyable and hazardous to one’s career. If you plan to venture into Mini Plot, Anti Plot or Non Plot, be prepared for possible backlash and audience drop off. Most patrons have story expectations that are commonly found in Arch Plot / Three Act Structure stories. Taking those folks out of their comfort zones typically has undesirable effects. But these stories can also be very fulfilling to those people who enjoy different types of story.

So as you follow your dream of writing or as you are reading your favorite stories, think about the principles discussed in this series. For those who would like to delve deeper into this subject, below is some suggested reading.

• Suggested Readings
• Robert McKee – Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting
• Carl Jung – The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious, (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 1)
• Jennifer Van Bergen – Archetypes for Writers: Using the Power of your Subconscious
• Joseph Campbell – The Hero With a Thousand Faces
• Christopher Vogler – The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition
• Michael Tierno – Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters: Storytelling secrets from the Greatest Mind in Western Civilization

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

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