THE SET-UP
First, establish the normal existence and expectations of your Main Character - but only enough to give context and meaning to the Unexpected Change that is about to occur.
THE UNEXPECTED CHANGE
Next, a single event must occur that upsets your Main Character’s expectations and experience of normal life and launches his or her journey.
THE REJECTION - "I DON'T WANT"
No one likes or accepts change in the instant it happens! Your Main Character now must exert the least possible effort to restore life to exactly the way it was before. (Ideally occurs in first 10% of total page count.)
THE COMMITMENT
Your main character eventually accepts that the Unexpected Change is not going to go away and commits to reluctantly struggling through this new life. (Ideally occurs in first 20% of total page count.)
THE REVERSAL
Halfway through your script, your Main Character must fully embrace the Unexpected Change for purely self-serving reasons. (Ideally occurs within 5 pages before or after 50% of total page count.)
THE EMBRACE - "I DO WANT"
The Embrace is best seen, not heard. In a comedy, it is typically a montage to a hot track. In romance, it is typically a love scene. In action, it is typically a high-energy action sequence with the Main Character in full control and engagement. Keep dialogue to a minimum!
THE RETURN OF THE MAIN OPPONENT
Now that your Main Character embraces his or her new life, it is time to surprise him or her with a significant obstacle - which is always the Main Opponent with newly heightened powers.
THE ESCALATION
The entire second half of your script will feature an increasingly focused and escalating duel between your Main Character and the Main Opponent.
THE FINAL BATTLE
Ultimately, your Main Character must physically face off against the Main Opponent and fight on behalf of self and a greater cause.
THE TWIST
To heighten jeopardy for your Main Character, you may want to add a surprise “reveal” (built on earlier hints) that further challenges, limits or weakens your Main Character during the Final Battle.
ROCK BOTTOM
At the end of the Final Battle, your Main Character must be at his or her greatest point of weakness, with no support and seemingly no way out, while your Main Opponent is at his/her/its greatest point of power.
THE FINAL CHOICE
In the last moment of the Final Battle, give your Main Character precisely the choice he or she had to make after the Unexpected Change, now with far greater consequences.
THE SACRIFICE - "I RELUCTANTLY GIVE UP"
Your Main Character should choose to reluctantly give up what he or she wants to become a better person and make the world a better place.
THE REWARD
Your Main Character ultimately must be rewarded for his or her Sacrifice. (Ideally occurs within the last 5% of total page count.)
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