Short Act I

DoubleIT · Feb 11, 2009

Never had this problem before, but my first act is short... like 12 pages short.

In my outline I had it scheduled for 20 pages but when I got down to writing I covered it all in 12.

It's a noir, starts off with a missing person and the act 1 turning point is that missing person is found dead.

Any reason to 'worry' about that? Is it a big deal?

clockwork · Feb 11, 2009

Sounds more like a catalyst or an inciting incident if it lands at page 12. Why not treat it as such and see if there's an even bigger surprise/revelation you can write about ten, fifteen pages later? Act I should fall (very roughly) at about page 25-30 for a standard length script. If it's an 80 minute noir, then maybe it's shorter but I'd look at seeing if you can find more story to fill you first act rather than going with something a bit shorter.

DoubleIT · Feb 11, 2009

clockwork said:
Sounds more like a catalyst or an inciting incident if it lands at page 12. When not treat it as such and see if there's an even bigger surprise/revelation you can write about ten, fifteen pages later? Act I should fall (very roughly) at about page 25-30 for a standard length script. If it's an 80 minute noir, then maybe it's shorter but I'd look at seeing if you can find more story to fill you first act rather than going with something a bit shorter.

Interesting.

This murder turns into two murders which turns into something a whole lot bigger. So, in fact, you are right. That first murder is a catalyst to get our hero on the 'scent'.

It's to be a full 120 pager.

Time to do a little thinking

pansy · Feb 13, 2009

What Clockwork said - if you follow the three-act structure. It's not the end-all last word in screenplays. Hollywood loves them because of their conduciveness to cranking out films.

Read through the first 50 pages a few times and see if there is an event that can be developed / moved into a clean break for acts 1 and 2 back around pages 25 to 30. If not, don't feel obliged to force it.

All scripts have their own rhythm outside the loose structure guidelines of the big 3.

aw

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Short Act I

DoubleIT

clockwork

In the zone...

DoubleIT

pansy