#3actstructure

There is a basic 3 act structure that is followed by many films, in brief the 3 acts can be summed up as: 1) Set up 2) Confrontation and 3) Resolution. I will be analysing the film ‘Dirty Dancing’ according to these 3 stages as well as being an example for linear narrative, meaning the events happen in sequence. 

1) Set up 

In the first 25 minutes of the film we get to know our main character, we know she’s the lead because she has a voice over narration and shots are seen from her perspective. They also set up the relationship between her and her father and the rest of the family. Once she arrive at the resort we also find out what her plans for the future are through dialogue and we get a sense of what kind of person she is. We also are introduced to Johnny through Babys perspective and a few of the other dancers at the resort. 

2) Confrontation

In this stage many of the conflicts are introduced; Penny's abortion means that Johnny needs a new dancing partner and Baby has to learn to dance so she can be his partner. Baby is also starting to lie to her dad and there is further conflict between the waiter and babys sister. The main content of this stage is Baby learning to dance and her growing relationship with Johnny, we see this develop over a couple montages. once she has learned to dance and a few conflicts have been introduced and developed on we’re now approaching the climax and resolution of the film. 

3) Resolution

Johnny leaves the resort and many of the conflicts have been resolved, there is a reflective period after he has gone and baby mends her relationships with her sister and dad who have also come to resolutions in their own subplots. At the end of the film Johnny returns at the end of season show and dances in front of everyone with Baby. The film ends with the entire cast dancing joyously.

As we can see from the above the film follows a linear 3 act structure. All events happened in chronological order. There were 3 clear acts and obvious turning points that are present in 3 act films, making the film fairly predictable. Other films that follow 3 act structure include most big studio projects, such as Marvel films, Titanic and Jaws. 

On the other hand there are films that do not follow basic 3 act structure and are non linear.

A non linear narrative means the film doesn’t conform to a linear 3 act structure, they  often have a non chronological approach to time which is used for a variety of reasons depending on the film. For example in Memento it is used to reflect the psychological state of the character another reason it could be used is to reflect themes of the film. 

As an example of a non linear narrative I will be using ‘Down By Law’

At the beginning we are introduced to two of our three main characters, we see Bob, but are not yet aware he will be a main character. We get a sense of the two main characters Zack and Jack, we cross cut between the two of them and in a short space of time they’re involved in situations that result in them being arrested and placed in the same cell, this is unconventional because it cross cuts between the two leads whose stories are seemingly unrelated, also the events which lead to their arrest could be 3 act structures in their own right. After spending some time together in the cell Bob is reintroduced to the audience as he is also arrested and placed in the cell. this is followed by a stretch of dialogue driven scenes in the jail which seemingly do not propel any kind of plot forwards. The three escape the jail and get lost in the swamp surrounding the prison. Eventually after being lost in the swamp they come across a building in the woods. There they meet Nicoletta who Bob falls in love with, Bob and Nicoletta stay together in the woods and Zack and Jack go their separate ways.

Act 1: Set-up (1-15 minutes into the film)

So within the first 1-15 minutes of the film we get to know the opening of the story as to what is going on. We get a location established. We also get an introduction to some of the characters for example "baby". We also get to see some of their personalities for example, Baby starts out as quite a posh girl and slowly turns to a dirty dancer. We also find there are lots of sexist undertones and find its a sexually liberating story.

Act1: First Turning point (25-35 minutes into film)

The first turning point in this film is that Baby has to face a challenge as one of the dancers can't do the lead roll and so Baby has to train up, with on of the main dancers being Johnny to train up and fill in lead roll in the dance. At this point Baby is still keeping the dirty dancing a secret and lying to her dad. We find that Baby and her sister Lisa are parallel, Baby's sister is dating the waiter Robby who is also the father to who was supposed to be lead role in the dance, Penny's baby however she has an abortion.

Act 2: Second turning point (75-90 minutes into film)

Wishing the second turning point, with Johnny and Baby training up together for the dance, we start to notice a relationship develop. We notice a change in friendship and we notice a change in personality and that Baby loses her virginity. We also notice a change in clothes in how she expresses herself as a person inner own skin. At one point Penny needs help and Baby asks her dad to take her and help abort as he's a doctor and a good man and can help them as an adult rather than the child he has been treating her as.

Act 2: (5-10 minutes from end)

In the act the climax is that Johnny has left. Between him and Baby they have no regrets as they have both learned the hard way emotionally. The truth is revealed about everything and both Baby and Lisa are brought together as sisters.

Act 3: (1-5 minutes from the end)