The Nine-Act Structure (Storyline)

[Gregjazz]

Hey guys,

My dad introduced me to this website about storyline structuring. After reading a couple pages, it became evident that I might not be the only one who could find this resource extremely useful and interesting. I especially like how he makes good references to movies to explain points, not to mention his writing is pretty great, too. Hey, a good movie storyline would make a good adventure game storyline, right?

http://www.dsiegel.com/film/Film_home.html

Read and enjoy!

[Gord10]

It was a nice read. It can be very helpful. Thanks for sharing

[Ali]

I'm deeply suspicious of this kind of screenplay formula. That isn't to say I have a problem with strict narrative conventions, I love fairy tales which are highly formulaic. I just feel that the form of a narrative should grow out of its content. The content shouldn't necessarily be shoe-horned into a preset structure.

On the other hand, I think this is a very useful way of approaching and analysing modern blockbusters. I also think it would be a lot of use to people writing adventure game plots, because it's often more fun to find yourself in a formulaic narrative than it is to find yourself watching one.

Thanks for posting it Geoffkhan, it's though provoking. If anyone is interested in stepping back in time pre- this guy and pre-Joseph Campbell, Vladimir Propp set out 31 functions which loosely describe almost any folk tale, fairy tale or hollywood fairy tale.

[Nine Toes]

Awesome.  You have done well, young padawan.

[biothlebop]

I feel as Ali does to these narrative theories (they are more useful as analytic tools for existing films than a template for your own script) but they can prove useful if you find yourself stuck with an unfinished/unpolished script.

Here is a link to a forum thread where I read a different take on story structure (click the links with Story Structure in their name).