# Story Structure

> Three-act screenplay structure with beat placement. Covers opening image, inciting incident, midpoint, all is lost, climax, and page targets for feature screenplays. Use when: planning screenplay structure, analyzing narrative arc, placing story beats, or validating structural integrity.

- Skill: `bybren-llc/story-structure-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add bybren-llc/story-structure-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/bybren-llc/story-structure-2/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: bybren-llc (https://skillmd.com/u/bybren-llc)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/bybren-llc/story-structure-2

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# Story Structure

## Three-Act Structure

### Act One (Setup) - ~25%
- **Opening Image** - Visual that sets tone
- **Theme Stated** - Hint at the theme
- **Setup** - Introduce protagonist, world, stakes
- **Catalyst** - Inciting incident
- **Debate** - Protagonist hesitates
- **Break into Two** - Protagonist commits to journey

### Act Two (Confrontation) - ~50%
- **B Story** - Secondary storyline (often romance/friendship)
- **Fun and Games** - Promise of the premise
- **Midpoint** - False victory or defeat, raises stakes
- **Bad Guys Close In** - Pressure increases
- **All Is Lost** - Lowest point
- **Dark Night of the Soul** - Protagonist confronts failure

### Act Three (Resolution) - ~25%
- **Break into Three** - Solution discovered
- **Finale** - Confrontation and resolution
- **Final Image** - Opposite of opening, showing change

## Beat Sheet (Save the Cat!)

| Beat | Page | Purpose |
|------|------|---------|
| Opening Image | 1 | Set tone, "before" snapshot |
| Theme Stated | 5 | Someone hints at lesson |
| Set-Up | 1-10 | Introduce hero's world |
| Catalyst | 12 | Life-changing event |
| Debate | 12-25 | Should hero act? |
| Break into Two | 25 | Hero enters Act 2 |
| B Story | 30 | Subplot begins |
| Fun and Games | 30-55 | Promise of premise |
| Midpoint | 55 | Stakes raised |
| Bad Guys Close In | 55-75 | Opposition increases |
| All Is Lost | 75 | Whiff of death |
| Dark Night | 75-85 | Hero at lowest |
| Break into Three | 85 | "A-ha!" moment |
| Finale | 85-110 | Final confrontation |
| Final Image | 110 | "After" snapshot |

## Sequence Method

Eight sequences, each 10-15 pages:

1. **Sequence A** - Status quo and inciting incident
2. **Sequence B** - Predicament and lock-in
3. **Sequence C** - First obstacle
4. **Sequence D** - First culmination (midpoint)
5. **Sequence E** - Subplot dominates
6. **Sequence F** - Main tension returns
7. **Sequence G** - Second culmination (crisis)
8. **Sequence H** - Resolution

## Hero's Journey

1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal of the Call
4. Meeting the Mentor
5. Crossing the Threshold
6. Tests, Allies, Enemies
7. Approach to Inmost Cave
8. Ordeal
9. Reward
10. The Road Back
11. Resurrection
12. Return with Elixir