(1) = single-scene beat

(x) = multi-scene beat

Story Beats for Time-Based Media Narrative Structure

1. Opening Image (1)

Shows a “before” snapshot of the protagonist and the flawed world in which they live.

A visual that represents the struggle & tone of the story. A snapshot of the main character’s problem, before the adventure begins.

Movie: Francis Ha; 2012; Writer: Greta Gerwig; Director: Noah Baumbach

2. Theme Stated (1)

A statement is made by someone (other than the protagonist) that hints at what the protagonist will learn before the end of the story.

What your story is about; the message, the truth. Usually, it is spoken to the main character or in their presence, but they don’t understand the truth…not until they have some personal experience and context to support it.

Movie: Donnie Darko; 2001; Writer + Director: Richard Kelly

3. Setup (x)

The reader gets to see what the protagonist’s life and the world are like–flaws and all.

+ Where important supporting characters + the protagonist’s initial goal (or the thing the protagonist thinks will fix his or her life) is intro’d.

Expand on the “before” snapshot. Present the main character’s world as it is, and what is missing in their life.

gleaners hands

Movie: The Gleaners & I; 2000; Writer + Director: Agnès Varda

4. Catalyst (1)

A life-changing event happens to the protagonist + catapults them into a new world or a new way of thinking. After this moment, there’s no going back to the “normal world” introduced in the setup.

Moment where life as it is changes. The telegram, the act of catching your loved-one cheating, letting a monster onboard, meeting the true love of your life, etc. The “before” world is over, change is underway.

Movie: School Daze; 1988; Writer + Director: Spike Lee

5. Debate (x)

Protagonist debates what they’ll do next. A question haunts them i.e., “should I do this vs. that?” Show that the protagonist is reluctant to change for one reason or another.

But change is scary and for a moment the main character doubts the journey they must take. Can I face this challenge? Do I have what it takes? Should I go at all? It is the last chance for the hero to chicken out.

The 39 Steps; 1935; Writers: John Buchan (adapted frm novel by), Charles Bennett (adaptation); Dir:  Alfred Hitchcock

6. Break Into 2 (1)

The protagonist decides to accept the call to adventure, leave their comfort zone, try something new, or to venture into a new world or way of thinking. It’s the bridge between the beginning (Act 1) + middle (Act 2).

Main character makes a choice and the journey begins. We leave the “Thesis” world and enter the upside-down, opposite world of Act 2.

Movie: The Holy Mountain; 1973; Writer + Director: Alexandro Jodorowsky

7. B Story (1)

New character(s) intro’d who will ultimately serve to help the hero learn the story theme/lesson. This character could be a love interest, nemesis, mentor, family member, friend, etc.

There’s a discussion about the Theme, the nugget of truth.

Movie: The Fits; 2015; Writers: Anna Rose Holmer (written + story by), Saela Davis (story by), Lisa Kjerulff (story by); Director:

Anna Rose Holmer

8. Fun + Games (x)

Audience gets to see the protagonist either shining or floundering in their new world. Hero is either loving the new world or hating it.

Main character explores the new world. Writer entertains via the premise they’ve promised.

Jackie Brown; 1997; Wrtrs: Quentin Tarantino (written for the screen by), Elmore Leonard (novel); Dir: Quentin Tarantino

9. Midpoint (x)

Fun and games section culminates in 1 of 2 ways:

Either way, not everything we think we want is what we actually need in the end.

Stakes raised + protagonist is pushed toward making a real change before moving forward.

Could be a kiss, declaration of desire, proposal; game- changing plot twist, sudden ticking clock that ups the ante; celebration; 1st big public outing where the protagonist officially declares themselves a part of their new world.

The Silence of the Lambs; 1991; Writers: Thomas Harris (novel), Ted Tally (screenplay); Director: Jonathan Demme

10. Bad Guys Close In (x)

Hero’s deep-rooted fear or false-belief (internal bad guys) + the antagonist (external bad guys) are closing in

Excess Baggage; 1997; Wrtrs: Max D. Adams        (story + screenplay), Dick Clement (screenplay), Ian La Frenais (screenplay); Director: Marco Brambilla

11. All is Lost (1)

Something happens that pushes protagonist to lowest point.

Opposite moment from Midpoint: “awful”/“great”. Moment that main character realizes they’ve lost everything gained, or everything they have has no meaning. Someone or something dies (mentor, dream, love, etc.), making way for rebirth.

Chronicle of a Summer (Chronique d'un été); 1960; Writer/Directors: Edgar Morin, Jean Rouch

12. Dark Night of the Soul (1)

Armide (a short within Aria); 1987; Director: Jean-Luc Godard

13. Break Into 3 (x)

Protagonist realizes what they must do to fix external story problems

Thanks to a fresh idea, new inspiration, or last-minute Thematic advice from the B Story, the main character chooses to try again.

Broken Flowers; 2005; Written + Directed by: Jim Jarmusch; “Inspired by an idea from”: Bill Raden + Sara Driver

14. Finale (x)

Protagonist proves they’ve learned theme + act on the plan they made in the Break Into 3.

The Cool World; 1963; Written + Directed by: Shirley Clarke; Written also by: Carl Lee; Novel + Play by: Warren Miller; Play by: Robert Rossen

15. Final Image (1)

An “after” snapshot of life + how much Protagonist has changed.

Opposite of Open Image, proving visually, that a change has occurred within the character.

The Florida Project; 2017; Writers: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch; Director: Sean Baker