8 is your Magic Number
As you know, a well-structured screenplay is the foundation of any great movie, and understanding the principles of the Eight Sequence Structure can significantly enhance your storytelling skills. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into this powerful screenwriting tool, complete with modern movie examples to illustrate each sequence!
The Eight Sequence Structure offers a detailed breakdown of your screenplay, allowing you to analyze and refine each part of your story to ensure a compelling and engaging narrative. Let's examine each sequence in detail and look at some examples from modern flicks.
Sequence 1: Setup and Inciting Incident
Introduces the protagonist, the world they inhabit, and the central conflict of the story. It's crucial to establish these quickly and efficiently, as they lay the groundwork for the rest of your screenplay.
Example: In "Get Out," the setup introduces Chris, a young African-American man visiting his white girlfriend's family for the first time. The inciting incident occurs when he realizes that there's something sinister going on with the family and their black housekeepers.
Sequence 2: The New Situation
The protagonist is thrust into a new situation that challenges their status quo. The sequence explores the protagonist's initial reactions to the inciting incident and sets the stage for new conditions and conflicts to come.
Example: In "The Social Network," after Mark Zuckerberg is dumped by his girlfriend, he creates a website to rate the attractiveness of female Harvard students. This leads to a new condition where he gains notoriety on campus and attracts the attention of the Winklevoss twins.
Sequence 3: First Obstacle and First Culmination
In this sequence, the protagonist faces their first major obstacle, which has significant consequences for the story. This obstacle often leads to a mini-climax or turning point, which propels the story into its next phase.
Example: In "Mad Max: Fury Road," when Immortan Joe discovers that Furiosa has taken his "wives" and sends his war party after them. The first culmination happens as Max reluctantly joins forces with Furiosa to escape their pursuers.
Sequence 4: Rising Action and Midpoint
The stakes are raised, and the tension increases. The midpoint of the story often features a significant turning point or revelation that changes the protagonist's perspective and shifts the narrative in a new direction.
Example: In "Inception," the midpoint occurs when it's revealed that Cobb's wife, Mal, has been sabotaging their efforts from within his subconscious. This changes the team's approach and raises the stakes, as Cobb must confront his past to succeed in the mission.
Sequence 5: Subplot and Rising Action
Focuses on developing subplots and their relationship to the main plot. These can provide additional depth and complexity to your story, as well as offer opportunities for character development and thematic exploration.
Example: In "Black Panther," the subplot involving Killmonger's rise to power and his connection to Wakanda is developed alongside the main plot. This adds layers to the story, deepens the themes of the film, and ultimately has a significant impact on the protagonist's journey.
Sequence 6: Climax of the Second Act
The protagonist experiences their darkest moment, often facing a significant setback or loss that forces them to confront their deepest fears and flaws. This is a crucial turning point in the story and sets the stage for the final act.
Example: In "La La Land," the climax of the second act occurs when Mia and Sebastian's relationship falls apart due to their conflicting ambitions. They both must confront the reality that their dreams may not align with their love for one another.
Sequence 7: Main Culmination and Aftermath
The climactic confrontation between the protagonist and the antagonist, in which the stakes are at their highest, and the protagonist's growth is put to the test. The aftermath of this confrontation sets up the final resolution.
Example: In "Avengers: Infinity War," the main culmination is the epic battle between the Avengers and Thanos on multiple fronts. Despite their best efforts, the Avengers ultimately fail to prevent Thanos from wiping out half of all life in the universe, leading to a devastating aftermath.
Sequence 8: Resolution
Ties up loose ends and brings the story to a close. Your opportunity to resolve any remaining conflicts and deliver a satisfying conclusion.
Example: In "A Star Is Born," the resolution occurs when Ally, after the tragic loss of her husband, performs a heartfelt tribute in his honor. This moment showcases her growth as an artist and her ability to find solace and strength in her music.
Let's add some examples from the TV series I worked on: Alias, Lost, and Heroes.
Sequence 1: Setup and Inciting Incident
Example: In the pilot episode of "Lost," the setup introduces us to the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island. The inciting incident occurs when they realize that they are not alone on the island and must work together to survive.
Sequence 3: First Obstacle and First Culmination
Example: In "Heroes," the first obstacle occurs when various characters discover their extraordinary abilities and struggle to understand them. The first culmination happens as their individual stories start to intertwine, hinting at a greater purpose for their powers.
Sequence 5: Subplot and Rising Action
Example: In "Alias," a subplot involving Sydney Bristow's strained relationship with her father, who is also a double agent, runs parallel to the main plot of her missions as a CIA agent. This subplot adds depth to the story, develops the characters, and has a significant impact on the overall narrative.
Sequence 6: Climax of the Second Act
Example: In "Lost" Season 1, the climax of the second act occurs when the survivors discover the mysterious hatch in the ground, which forces them to confront their fears and suspicions about the island and its secrets.
Sequence 8: Resolution
Example: In the first season finale of "Heroes," the resolution occurs when the various characters with extraordinary abilities come together to stop an impending catastrophe, showcasing their growth and the strength they've gained by embracing their powers.
Remember that TV series often have more room for character and plot development, but the same principles of the structure still apply.
Whether you're writing a thriller, mystery, sci-fi epic, or romantic comedy, the structure can be adapted to suit your unique story. I
It also serves as a roadmap for your characters' arcs. By using the structure, you can ensure your characters evolve and grow in response to the events of the story, leading to a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative.
Like any tool, the Eight Sequence Structure comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring that your screenplay remains fresh and engaging:
Avoid formulaic storytelling: It's important to avoid becoming too rigid or predictable. Stay true to your unique voice and vision while using the structure as a guide.
Smooth transitions: Ensure that your sequences flow naturally and seamlessly into one another. This will help maintain your story's momentum and keep your audience engaged.
Balance subplots: Be mindful of how your subplots interact with and support the main plot. Ensure that they're integrated effectively without overwhelming the primary narrative.
The Eight Sequence Structure is just one tool to help you achieve that connection, but ultimately, it's your passion, creativity, and dedication to the art of storytelling that will make your screenplays truly unforgettable.
