AgentSkillsCN

story-structure

本技能提供三幕式剧本结构与节奏节点布局，涵盖开场画面、引发事件、故事中点、一败涂地、高潮迭起，以及一部 110 页长片剧本的页数目标。 适用场景：在规划剧本结构、分析叙事弧线、合理布局故事节奏节点，或验证剧本整体结构的完整性时使用。

SKILL.md
--- frontmatter
name: story-structure
wtfbId: wtfb:story-structure
description: |
  This skill provides three-act screenplay structure with beat placement.
  Covers opening image, inciting incident, midpoint, all is lost, climax,
  and page targets for a 110-page feature screenplay.

  Use when: planning screenplay structure, analyzing narrative arc,
  placing story beats, or validating structural integrity.

Story Structure Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

  • •Planning screenplay structure
  • •Analyzing narrative arc
  • •Placing story beats
  • •Validating structural integrity

Three-Act Structure

Overview

code
ACT ONE (Setup)        ≈ 25 pages (25%)
ACT TWO (Confrontation) ≈ 60 pages (50%)
ACT THREE (Resolution)  ≈ 25 pages (25%)
                       ≈ 110 pages total

Act One: Setup (Pages 1-25)

Goal: Establish world, character, and conflict.

BeatPagePurpose
Opening Image1Visual thesis, tone, world
Theme Stated5Theme spoken (often missed by protagonist)
Set-Up1-10Ordinary world, status quo
Catalyst12Inciting incident, life disrupted
Debate12-25Protagonist resists call to action
Break Into Two25Commitment to journey, no turning back

Act Two: Confrontation (Pages 25-85)

Goal: Escalating conflict, character tested.

BeatPagePurpose
B Story30Subplot begins (often carries theme)
Fun and Games30-55Promise of the premise delivered
Midpoint55False victory or false defeat, stakes raise
Bad Guys Close In55-75Obstacles intensify
All Is Lost75Lowest point, seems hopeless
Dark Night of the Soul75-85Reflection before final push

Act Three: Resolution (Pages 85-110)

Goal: Climax and resolution.

BeatPagePurpose
Break Into Three85Solution found, synthesis of lessons
Finale85-110Final confrontation, stakes resolved
Final Image110Transformation visualized

Save the Cat! Beat Sheet

Blake Snyder's 15-beat structure:

markdown
1. Opening Image (1)
2. Theme Stated (5)
3. Set-Up (1-10)
4. Catalyst (12)
5. Debate (12-25)
6. Break Into Two (25)
7. B Story (30)
8. Fun and Games (30-55)
9. Midpoint (55)
10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75)
11. All Is Lost (75)
12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85)
13. Break Into Three (85)
14. Finale (85-110)
15. Final Image (110)

The Hero's Journey (12 Stages)

Christopher Vogler's adaptation of Joseph Campbell:

Act One: Departure

  1. •Ordinary World - Hero's normal life
  2. •Call to Adventure - Problem or challenge appears
  3. •Refusal of the Call - Hero hesitates
  4. •Meeting the Mentor - Guidance received
  5. •Crossing the Threshold - Hero commits to journey

Act Two: Initiation

  1. •Tests, Allies, Enemies - Hero is tested
  2. •Approach to Inmost Cave - Preparation for ordeal
  3. •Ordeal - Major crisis, death/rebirth
  4. •Reward - Hero gains something

Act Three: Return

  1. •The Road Back - Return journey begins
  2. •Resurrection - Final test, transformation complete
  3. •Return with Elixir - Hero returns changed

Sequence Method (8 Sequences)

Structure

code
ACT ONE
  Sequence 1: Status Quo & Catalyst
  Sequence 2: Debate & Break Into Two

ACT TWO (First Half)
  Sequence 3: Fun and Games A
  Sequence 4: Fun and Games B → Midpoint

ACT TWO (Second Half)
  Sequence 5: Consequences
  Sequence 6: All Is Lost → Dark Night

ACT THREE
  Sequence 7: Break Into Three → Finale A
  Sequence 8: Finale B → Resolution

Sequence Length

  • •Each sequence: ~12-15 pages
  • •Each sequence has its own mini-arc
  • •Sequences end on a turn or revelation

Genre Considerations

Action

  • •Midpoint is often big action set piece
  • •Faster pacing through Act Two
  • •Extended finale sequence

Comedy

  • •Fun and Games section is critical
  • •Midpoint often a comic disaster
  • •Third act reconciliation

Drama

  • •More time in Dark Night of the Soul
  • •Subtler beat placement
  • •Character-driven turns

Horror

  • •Midpoint: Monster fully revealed
  • •All Is Lost: Final girl alone
  • •Finale: Confrontation and survival

Thriller

  • •Midpoint: Major revelation
  • •Bad Guys Close In is literal
  • •Ticking clock in Act Three

Structural Analysis Template

markdown
## Structure Analysis: [TITLE]

### Act Breakdown
| Act | Pages | Target | Variance |
|-----|-------|--------|----------|
| One | X-X | 1-25 | [+/-] |
| Two | X-X | 25-85 | [+/-] |
| Three | X-X | 85-110 | [+/-] |

### Beat Placement
| Beat | Target Page | Actual Page | Status |
|------|-------------|-------------|--------|
| Catalyst | 12 | X | [OK/Early/Late] |
| Break Into Two | 25 | X | [OK/Early/Late] |
| Midpoint | 55 | X | [OK/Early/Late] |
| All Is Lost | 75 | X | [OK/Early/Late] |
| Break Into Three | 85 | X | [OK/Early/Late] |

### Assessment
[Analysis of structural strengths and issues]

### Recommendations
1. [Specific adjustment]
2. [Specific adjustment]

Common Structural Issues

Act One Too Long

  • •Cut setup scenes
  • •Enter scenes later
  • •Combine expository scenes

Saggy Middle

  • •Strengthen midpoint
  • •Add reversals
  • •Increase obstacles

Rushed Third Act

  • •Earn the climax
  • •Don't skip Dark Night
  • •Resolution needs breath

WTFB Three-Act Template

Per "Words To Film By" methodology, use this simplified template for story planning:

Act One Template

Work out your story using these essential components:

markdown
OPENING EVENT: ___________________________________
(What first happens that grabs attention?)

BASIC SITUATION: ___________________________________
(What is the protagonist's normal world?)

DISTURBANCE: ___________________________________
(What disrupts the normal world?)

DECISION: ___________________________________
(What choice must the protagonist make?)

DRAMATIC QUESTION: ___________________________________
(The question that will be answered by the climax)

Act Two Template

markdown
CONFLICTS: ___________________________________
(What opposes the protagonist?)

CRISES: ___________________________________
(What moments of critical decision arise?)

OBSTACLES: ___________________________________
(What stands in the way?)

COMPLICATIONS: ___________________________________
(What makes things worse?)

DARK MOMENT: ___________________________________
(The lowest point before the turn)

Act Three Template

markdown
ENLIGHTENMENT: ___________________________________
(What does the protagonist finally understand?)

CLIMAX: ___________________________________
(The final confrontation or decision)

CATHARSIS: ___________________________________
(The emotional release and resolution)

WTFB Hero's Journey Template

Alternative structure using the 12-step Hero's Journey:

markdown
1. THE ORDINARY WORLD: ___________________________________
   (Hero's normal life before the adventure)

2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE: ___________________________________
   (The problem or challenge that appears)

3. THE RELUCTANT HERO: ___________________________________
   (Hero hesitates or refuses the call)

4. THE WISE OLD MAN: ___________________________________
   (Mentor who provides guidance)

5. INTO THE SPECIAL WORLD: ___________________________________
   (Crossing the threshold into adventure)

6. TEST, ALLIES AND ENEMIES: ___________________________________
   (Hero is tested, meets friends and foes)

7. THE INMOST CAVE: ___________________________________
   (Approach to the most dangerous place)

8. THE SUPREME ORDEAL: ___________________________________
   (Major crisis, facing greatest fear)

9. SEIZING THE SWORD: ___________________________________
   (Hero gains the reward/knowledge)

10. THE ROAD BACK: ___________________________________
    (Return journey begins, often with pursuit)

11. RESURRECTION: ___________________________________
    (Final test, transformation complete)

12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR: ___________________________________
    (Hero returns changed, bearing wisdom)

Narrative Types

Per WTFB, identify your story's narrative approach:

TypeDescriptionExample
LinearBeginning to end chronologicallyMost traditional films
Non-LinearNot chronologicalMemento, Pulp Fiction
Multi-NarrativeMultiple points of viewCrash, Traffic
DualTwo perspectives or time periodsThe Godfather Part II
FragmentedNon-linear sequence21 Grams
MetafictiveBreaking fourth wallDeadpool, Ferris Bueller
PersonalAutobiography, biopicThe Pursuit of Happyness

Aristotle's Six Components

The foundational elements of drama (per Aristotle):

  1. •Plot: The arrangement of events or incidents
  2. •Characters: Provide motivation, plot, and conflict
  3. •Language: Dialogue (both dramatic and narrative)
  4. •Themes: Thought and ideas behind the story
  5. •Rhythm: Music/mood (the emotional pacing)
  6. •Spectacle: The set, costumes, and special effects

The Greeks' Essential Truth: A show or scene must have a beginning, middle, and end.

  • •Beginning: Protagonist lives a good life but has a great character flaw
  • •End of Beginning: Reversal of fortune brought on by the flaw
  • •Middle: Protagonist fights change but recognizes error, changes from ignorance to knowledge (too late)
  • •End: Catastrophe brings suffering, resulting in soul cleansing (catharsis)

Validation Checklist

  • • Three acts properly proportioned
  • • Catalyst by page 12
  • • Clear Break Into Two
  • • Strong Midpoint
  • • All Is Lost moment exists
  • • Theme stated and proven
  • • Character arc complete
  • • Opening/Final images mirror or contrast
  • • Narrative type identified
  • • WTFB template completed
  • • Aristotle's six components addressed