“The Setup, Maze and Feeling”- 3 Act Story

All short films can be broken into a basic 3 Act structure that maps out the action in a film.

1st The Setup-

This is where you establish the location, characters and conflict that will be the main focus of your film. A character is confronted with a problem and now they must rise to the challenge. Example: A stressed student in a video class has just realized he has left his camera unattended in the spirit court.

2nd The Maze-

This is a series of problems or obstacles your main character will need to deal with in the pursuit of solving their problem. Example: First the student sees the bag, must sneak out of class, see someone in the parking lot with the gear and corner him.

3rd The Feeling:

This is when you give some type of resolution to your problem. Think of what you want your audience to feel at the end of your movie. Do you want laughter, compassion, anger, frustration….What happens to your character? Sometimes there is a twist or unexpected outcome as well….Example: The thief ends up being revealed as Mr. Bigue, who was trying to teach the student a lesson about leaving their gear.

 

Directions:

Pre-production

STEP 1: Brainstorm a short story idea of 1-3 minutes using the 3 Act structure referred to in the Setup, Maze, and the Feeling about an object of any kind. This might be a pencil, cellphone, rock, car, backpack, etc. Consider all that you can do to explore that objects pain, frustaton and challenges in life; make these the challenges the object confronts in the film.

    • Try to make it as active as you can.
    • Keep it limited to a few characters.
    • Consider a setting/location you can control and will help the film.
    • Start with a basic flow chart to illustrate the moments/actions that lead to the climax.

    Some suggestions:

    A character experiences love at first sight and ...

    A character must confront their worst fear...

Directions: Create a brainstorm sheet that places the object your character is in love or fears in the middle of the page. List the following details about your object:

      1. What are 3 things your character loves/fears about their object?
      2. What are 3 obstacles/challenges you character must face in getting/escaping your object?
      3. What happens in the climactic moment in your grand finale?
      4. Outline the following:
        1. Setup- Intitial Incidient- Character/Setting/Conflict
        2. Rising Action- the Maze
          1. Event 1
          2. Event 2
          3. Event 3
        3. Climax!
        4. Resolution/ Feeling
       

STEP 2: Create a short 1 to 2 pageTreatment or description of your story- Get this approved before moving on to two column script.

      • This is a rough draft of what will be your script or 2 column script.
      • Write in the present tense.
      • Include as much action as possible.
     

STEP 3: Convert your treatment to a 2 Column Shooting Script that details the Audio/Dialog as well as the Shots you will be using in your film-

    • Consider the best coverage for the most dramatic shots in the film: where does the camera need to be or show to tell the story.
    • 2 column script should include at least 25 shots minimum
    • Include numbers and abbreviated shots descriptions for each shot-
    • Create slug lines for each scene/location change: Ex: SCENE 1- INT: BEDROOM, DAY

STEP 4: Production

  1. Practice or "block" your shots before actually recording them.
  2. When ready to shoot, Call “Standby on set”, “Rolling”, “Action”….and remember to leave a second or two then call “Cut”.
  3. Make sure that each shot is long enough to communicate the intent or message you want to give your audience. Don't leave blank tape between shots.
  4. All people in each crew must participate to receive full credit.
  5. Everyone must use a tripod for all shots except for those requiring dollying or trucking.
  6. All the shots described in the sample should be incorporated in your script.

 

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING Requirements:

 

FIELD OF VIEW- CAMERA MOVEMENT

Camera Height and Angle
  • Shot Variety- ELS / LS / MS / MCU / CU / ECU
  • Rule of Thirds Framing

DOLLY

TRACKING SHOT,

360 DEGREE TRUCK

PAN

TILT

PEDASTAL

Bird’s Eye/ High Angle

Worm’s Eye/ Low Angle

Slanted Horizon

Profile

Reverse Angle

Front/ Forward Angle

CAMERA BLOCKING

 Mis En Scene/ Props Editing Concepts

1. Deep focus shot with foreground and background

2. Rack focus between 2 objects along the z-axis- remember to use a narrow angle zoom postion or the shot will not work.

1. Choose locatons that help tell your story.

2. Control details in the background and avoid objects or people that are not part of the story.

2. Include props or wardrobe that help develop character and tell the story.

Eyeline Match- character's eyes look and the camer reveals.

Match Action Cuts- a type of continuity editing that cuts action from different camera shots so they blend together on the action.

Coverage- show one action from multiple perspectives to increase the dramatic impact.

STEP 5: Submit the Final Project and Critique

1. Once done, please have the project checked off by and export as a full res quicktime movie.

2. Transfer the file over the network to the "Video Main" folder for your period.

3. Use the following critique guidelines to reflect on the challenges you had with the project. http://chs.smuhsd.org/bigue/art_of_video/index/lifestory_critique.html