The Steps of a Story

On Filmmaking 11 general steps/topics that can be applied to building any story Try applying these to the plot of your favorite and least favorite film

Step 1: Once Upon a Time... Setting the stage The conventions of the world The environment Social norms

Once upon a time... there was a land in the far future, Panem, made of 12 districts and a capitol city of riches. Many districts suffered poverty as the result of a previous civil war that resulted in the Hunger Games.

Step 2: There Lived a... The protagonist The main Point of View (POV) The decision maker The goal setter

There lived a... A teenage girl named Katniss Everdean, from district 12.

Step 3: Who... The protagonists history What they want, their main goal The purpose of the main character

Who... Wants to provide for and protect of her family and survive a harsh live in district 12.

Step 4: But... The antagonist Not necessarily a person or character The opposing force The major obstacle Introduction of conflict

But... The terror and extreme conditions of her district make her life hard and she must hunt in the woods to provide food and revenue to support her family.

Step 5: So, one day it happened that... The initiating event The kick off towards the main goal The beginning of a pattern that builds conflict

So, one day it happened that... Katniss’ little sister is chosen as tribute to the Hungar Games, a pageant of children who dual the death in an arena until only 1 lone victor remains. TO save her sister, she volunteers to take her place.

Step 6: And the as a result of which... The reaction to a previous event Creating anticipation and conflict Building interest Creating a cycle

And the as a result of which... She travels to the Capitol to compete with a boy named Peeta She becomes famous for her parade appearance She scores highly on skills Peeta professes a secret crush Their love story becomes an advantage ETC

Step 7: But meanwhile... Unbeknownst to... The subplot Dramatic Irony –That which the audience and other characters know but the main character does not

But meanwhile... Unbeknownst to... Peeta is trying to save her Haymitch gets her sponsors She develops a following She becomes a symbol for rebellion

So then as a result of which One day it happened But meanwhile, unbeknownst to

Step 8: Until the time came... The dénouement Start of climatic scenes The faceoff The culmination of all future conflict The final obstacle

Until the time came... That Peeta and Katniss could both go home Katniss is faced with killing Cato to save Peet and go home

Step 9: When suddenly... The peripeteia or turning of the wheel –Roles are reversed –Often a difficult moral situation for main character

When suddenly... The game-maker revokes the option for both tributes to go home and in order to scare him into allowing it Katniss and Peeta act as if they plan to consume poison berries to die instead of live with out each other.

Step 10: So, it turned out that... The result of the dénouement The end of conflict The end of the journey

So, it turned out that... They are both allowed to live and crowned victors. The seed of rebellion was sparked by Katniss’ actions in the arena.

Step 11: And forever after... Tying up of all loose ends A look to the future All questions are answered Often closure of subplot

And forever after... Katniss and Peeta will get to live in luxory in the capitol and remain together.

How can I use this? Try breaking down your favorite film, does it follow this arc? Try breaking down a film that you didn’t really like or didn’t engage you, does it deviate?

How can I use this? Always look for ways to tell a story Most lessons we teach and have been taught are stories Use this as an outline for your information progress on screen

The Next Step This weeks project: The Movie Trailer or Title Sequence See examples on Ed Ex Let us know if you have questions via twitter or the education exchange forums