Screenwriting: The Three Acts
Understand how the three acts work and how you can use it in your story.
The Three acts have been isolated since Aristotle's Poetics. Here Aristotle said that a first act can have nothing before it. A third act must have nothing after it and the second act must have something before and after it.
Since then Theorists have attempted to place more emotionality and transformation into its definition. In this workshop you will get the chance to gain analysis and definition in how Joseph Campbell defines the three acts and how it applies to a transformative character journey. Offering a full narrative understanding, the participants will leave the lecture with practical tools on how to build a three act story and how to construct change for their protagonist.
There will also be an introduction on how to write dynamic action and a question and answer session that are open to the discussion of screen craft, narratology and survival tips.
Complimentary access to this workshop is available to all Scriptable 2022 applicants - please select the free Scriptable 2022 Applicant Admission ticket type (please ensure your registration details match those on your initial application).
Format
This is a live stream only workshop held as part of the Scriptable program, with a focus on craft; it will be live streamed solely to an online audience. It is a level 1 course for writers of all levels.
About Stephen
Stephen is an AFI nominated and multi award winning writer and script editor with five features credits (City Loop, Blurred, Monkey Puzzle, The Reef and Drown – which he also produced). His work has played at the Toronto, Tokyo, Sydney and Cannes film festivals.
He has hours of award winning produced theatre work (QTC ‘Drown’, La Boite, ‘Scar’ QPAT ‘Juice’ and ‘Blurred’, QUT ‘Crushed’ , UCQ, ‘Burnt’ Barking Gecko Theatre Company ‘Turtle Island’ ‘Wet Dogs’ Newcastle Theatre Company. ‘Porn’) and television work (Neighbours, Spirited, Blinky Bill, Crash Palace).
He has developed myriad television shows for Channel 9, ABC, SBS Foxtel and Fox in Los Angeles.
Stephen is also one of the country’s most sought after script editors having helped writers to draft, through the state funding systems in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
He was a screenwriting, producing and screen studies lecturer at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School from 2016 – 2021 and runs the successful LOST KITTEN script programme that mentors over 50 writers across the world.
About Scriptable
Scriptable is an annual, national program for emerging (unproduced) screenwriters looking to break into the industry. All applicants are provided with opportunities for reader feedback on their work, and a development workshop tailored to commonalities across the cohort of applications. Shortlisted writers from the program are matched with an industry professional for longform mentorship, with the aim of fostering ongoing creative and industry connections. For more information about the program, visit www.queenslandwriters.org.au/scriptable, or register your interest for news and updates on next year’s competition at www.queenslandwriters.org.au/eoi.
Queensland Writers Centre membership
Consider becoming a member of Queensland Writers Centre ($59-79 / year) to save up to 30% across our Program of workshops, courses and events - including up to $15 on your booking for this workshop. Queensland Writers Centre membership includes a host of benefits:
Belong to a vibrant community of Queensland writing
Discounts of up to 30% across our Program, services, and competitions
Subscription to the quarterly WQ magazine
Priority access to writing advice from our experienced team
Recognition for your writing achievements in our Member Milestones
Access to Writer's Consults, the Writer's Surgery program and other members only services
Access to member benefits of other state writers' centres in the National Writers Centre Network
For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info