Free three-act template
Structure your documentary story with confidence
A template that walks you through the six key moments of the three-act structure, from the opening to the climax and resolution, with space for your own film under each. Plus how I structured my short film One Breath.Map the six key moments of your story, with a worked example from my film One Breath.
- Six key moments, act lengths, interview questions and a worked example
- Free, sent to your inbox
From Sebastian Solberg, documentary filmmaker and mentorMore than 2,500 filmmakers have signed up for my three-act structure templateWhere shall I send it?
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What's inside
Your story, mapped from the opening to the resolution
Free template
Three-Act Structure Template
Map the six key moments of your documentary, with a worked example from my short film One Breath.
Three-act structure
Map your story
Six moments, from the opening to the climax and resolution.
- 01Opening
Your filmWho do we meet first, and what makes us care?
- 02Inciting incident
Your filmWhat does your character want, and what gets in the way?
- 03First act break
Your filmWhat do they set out to do about it?
In the template
- The six key moments of the three-act structure, each with a question for your own film
- How long each act is: about 25%, 50% and 25% of your film
- A worked example: my short film One Breath in three acts
- Interview questions planned in three acts, from "Who are you?" to "What happens next?"
I'm Sebastian Solberg, director of One Breath. I've made films for nearly 20 years, including as second unit director on the BAFTA-nominated The Eagle Huntress. The worked example inside shows how I structured One Breath in three acts.
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