Narrative Theory - Syd Field

Syd Field is an American screenwriter who follows a theory containing a three act plot structure. His theory isn't just intended as a way of analysing films that have already been made but also as a theory by which new films can be made.

Plot Points
Plot points are pieces of the plot which are important because they either turn around the lives of the characters, change relationships between characters and also change the tone of the plot. Most films contain a number of plot points but Field believes the main ones are between acts with a less important one in the middle of the film.

Act One - Setup
The first act is normally about 40 minutes long. According to Field within the first ten minutes the audience will decide if they like the film and are normally unwilling to change their mind later. So as a result it is vital for the film to give a sense of what the film is going to be about, identify the main character, give the audience reasons to identify/take an interest with/in them and also expectations in term of style should be set up in the first ten minutes. In the other thirty minutes the audience should learn about the problem facing the hero (although sometimes this is left until plot point one).

(Plot point one)

Act Two - Confrontation
This is generally the longest act in the film. The protagonist (main character) is in gradually more and more extremely problematic situations where they confront the antagonist (their enemy) quite helplessly. Quite often there is a mid-point where things begin to turn around for the protagonist and they win what looked like a helpless struggle.

(Plot point two- at this point the protagonist realises the way they have been trying to go about things isn't working and so they change their tactics)

Act Three - Resolution
The protagonist finally takes control of their problems and the situation (often confronting the antagonist on their territory) and achieves a final, decisive victory.