Story Arc Practice
Story Arc
Set-up / Plot
Set up the story by giving a snapshot of the setting.
Only give what's absolutely necessary to make the next scene clear.
The beginning is the place the audience will decide whether to invest any more time in the story.
Inciting incident
An event that sets the main character on a journey
Typically upsets the balance within the character's world
Rising Action
A series of events that enhances conflict and leads up to the most exciting part.
Creates tension or suspense and keeps the audience invested.
Get to know the main characters better.
You’ll see characters making difficult decisions, and you’ll see their flaws, which helps you relate to them.
Climax
The most important part, the moment of greatest tension.
The height and peak tension of the story.
The outcome is still in doubt.
Falling Action
Tension decreases and the story moves toward its conclusion.
It's common to see the characters themselves relax a little.
The falling action sometimes introduces a new conflict.
Resolution
The end of the story and/or the conclusion of the story's plot.
Resolutions depend on what the main conflict of the story was: in a mystery, the criminal might be thrown in jail, while in a romance, the lovers might get married.
Resolutions aren't always happy, and sometimes they don't give the audience a feeling of complete closure.
Always make it clear that the story is drawing to an end.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots
Artificial Intelligence can be an efficient way to come up with a lot of ideas and hone in on something that interests you.
Perplexity.ai
Perplexity is free and allows you to use it without creating an account.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT is also free but you will have to sign up and verify your account with a phone number.
Draft 2 Short Film Ideas per genre
Using either your own brain or artificial intelligence (AI):
Draft 2 ideas (1-2 sentences each) for each of the 4 genres below for a short film that could be filmed in a high school.
The ideas need to be realistic to actually film in a high school during class on video pass.
If you are using an AI chatbot, you should continue prompting it, while adjusting your prompt until you get 5 that you like.
Genres
Action
Drama/Romance
Thriller/Horror
Comedy
Type or copy/paste your 8 short film ideas into the Canvas assignment text box. (don't submit yet)
Draft 1 Story Arc
Using one of the short film ideas:
Draft a story arc for the idea to include the set-up/plot, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
The story needs to be realistic to actually film in a high school during class on video pass.
If you are using an AI chatbot, you should continue prompting it, while adjusting your prompts until you get a story arc that you like.
Type or copy/paste your story arc into the Canvas assignment text box.
Submit
Once you have your 5 short film ideas, and your 1 story arc complete, submit your Canvas text box.