The other day I was in a discussion with the crew, (my idea of a discussion is, I talk and they listen… not really but I must admit it does seem like that at times).  Suddenly I was rudely interrupted by a resounding, “yea yea we know! Telling a good story means telling it in a three-act structure.  If it was good enough for Shakespeare, Francis Ford Coppola, South Park and every successful storyteller from cave carvings to Broadway it should be good enough for us.”

Their complaining at least confirmed that our “discussions” actually had been of some enlightening value!

Later that day one of Ferro’s senior storytellers & DP, Frank S, confronted me with a fantastic observation regarding my never-ending pounding of the value of the three-act structure. He commented, “ Did you ever consider that a perfect illustration of a 3-act story lays out in our normal production day?” For those needing a quick and simple refresher of the 3 components necessary to tell a good story, here you go. (Remember, I said quick and simple. NOTE: theater purist standing at the ready to lynch me for the bastardization of your art, I apologize. All I am trying to do is illustrate the basics of great story telling.)

Act1

To establish the main character(s), their relationships to each other and the world around them; to introduce the challenge or conflict that the main character (the protagonist) will inevitably have to face. This “call to action” and attempt to solve the problem sets up Act 2. This moment is often identified as the initial “turning point”.

Act2

Here the conflict is explored and developed. The protagonist attempts to resolve the problem usually with limited or no success. In part, because they have not yet developed the skills needed to overcome said obstacles. This conflict usually comes by way of the antagonist. The antagonist can be presented in the form of a person, life circumstances or a physical obstacle. It is here you find the protagonist begins to come of age and seek the tools / skills necessary to triumph over the conflict.  This coming of age and self-recognition is the second turning point, setting up Act 3.

Act 3

Three can be summed in a single word. “Resolution”.  It is where the protagonist begins their conquest and believing they will succeed. It is usually where the conflict climaxes, where everyone’s true character is revealed, lessons are learned and resolution has taken hold.

Now back to our story…. “Frank’s observation”.  It was not taken from within the workings of a project or concept being developed.  It was taken from our daily lives and a perfect illustration of the Shakespearian line, “Life is like a play – we merely go through the stages of our life acting it out.” He observed that in each and every production day, Ferro’s crew lives and thereby creates a new 3 act play simply by the default act of “being”.

Act 1

The morning production meeting; each team member is called upon to interact with the executive producer, thereby being “introduced” as a character.  Interaction between crew-members ensues during the meeting and “character development is exposed”.  The days assignments and mission is announced and discussed, “the turning point is established”

Act 2

As we all know, each day and each assignment comes with an array of problems and unexpected challenges, the “conflict / antagonist” arrives. There are usually several attempts to over come these conflicts.

Act 3

With no option other than to succeed the Ferro team writes the final act, “resolution and lessons learned.”

The resolution of this story is: we all know how to write and construct a successful story.  It is the essence of our daily lives.  Each of us is constructing a new and exciting story everyday.  All you need to do is write them into the simple, flawless, can’t miss structure of THE THREE ACT PLAY.

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