Lesson 7: Structure for Containment

[Dean Burkey]

Dean's 4-Act Structure

What I learned from this assignment is that an alien faceplanting you never ends well for anyone. ;oP

What I learned is using structure as the skeleton upon which to flesh out the story.

Concept:

“Danger House” is a high-stakes thriller about an informant and her protector navigating a deadly night in a compromised safehouse while uncovering deeper conspiracies within a powerful crime syndicate and the government.

Main Conflict:

Lena must stay alive and protect crucial information from a relentless crime syndicate while dealing with internal betrayals and navigating a complex web of deceit.

Act 1:

Opening: Lena’s rescue and safehouse arrival.

Inciting Incident: First assassination attempt revealing internal threat.

Turning Point: Discovery of syndicate’s surveillance within the safehouse.

Act 2:

New Plan: Uncover the mole and defend against increasing threats.

Plan in Action: Lena and Carter’s investigation, leading to the discovery of Miller’s coercion.

Midpoint Turning Point: Revelation of the safehouse’s true purpose and the greater threat.

Act 3:

Rethink Everything: Realization of the syndicate’s larger plan and government infiltration.

New Plan: Carter’s apparent betrayal to gain The Boss’s trust.

Turning Point: Huge Failure / Major Shift: Carter’s true mission revealed, leading to the climax.

Act 4:

Final Plan: Infiltrate the syndicate compound and set explosives.

Climax/Ultimate Expression of the Conflict: Confrontation with The Boss and the explosive finale.

Resolution: Destruction of the syndicate compound and since everyone thinks they’re dead anyway, Lena and Carter’s go away together.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by  Dean Burkey.