A: "A Three Act structure is screenplay format in which..."
Stop right there!
We are here to learn screenwriting, not memorise definitions.
So instead of defining of what a Three act structure is, let us directly get into what usually happens in a Three act structure.
ACT 1: Our Hero lives a happy and normal life.
Our Hero encounters a problem at the end of Act 1.
ACT 2: Our Hero struggles with the problem.
ACT 3: Our Hero gets his sh*t together and decides to solve the Problem.
End of Act 3 will be the Climax.
Our Hero will either win or loose.
As simple as that! Now let's see some examples.
e.g.
KAITHI(2019)
ACT 1: Dilli(played by Karthi) is released from the prison and is on the way to meet his daughter, but is detained by the Police on grounds of suspicion.
PROBLEM: Inspector Bejoy(played by Narain) threatens Dilli to that he would not let Dilli meet his daughter if he refuses to help him take the intoxicated cops to the nearby hospital.
Note: Unlike most movies, here the Protagonist is introduced at the end of Act 1.
ACT 2: Dilli agrees to help Bejoy, thereby getting himself into trouble with Anbu(played by Arjun Das) & gang.
ACT 3: One of Anbu's men break the golden earning that Dilli had bought for his daughter. This triggers Dilli. He gets his sh*t together and fights them back, more stronger than before.
CLIMAX: Dilli wins over Anbu & gang and also gets to meet his daughter.
e.g.
BIGIL(2019)
ACT 1: Micheal(played by Vijay) is a fun loving guy leading his normal life with friends and family.
PROBLEM: Kathir(played by Kathir) who comes to meet his friend Micheal, gets involved in an attempt to murder Micheal. He gets badly injured and is bedridden. Now the women football team is left without a Coach. Micheal who was once a National player, now takes up Kathir's position as the team's Coach.
ACT 2: With the women's team not cooperating with Micheal, he struggles to gain their trust & respect, let alone train them and make them win the National Championship.
Apart from this, Micheal also has two Antagonists--Sharma & Daniel(played by Jackie Shroff & Daniel Balaji respectively) who are trying to stop him by all means.
ACT 3: Micheal gets rid of the Sharma & Daniel and also makes his team realise their strength & play the game to their fullest potential .
CLIMAX: Micheal's team wins the National Championship!
Usually in a 2 hr(120 mins) movie,
The first 30 mins will be Act 1
The next 60 mins will be Act 2
The last 30 mins will be Act 3
©ScriptsAsylum, 2020
Good write up