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Master Story Planning Worksheet
(based on Larry Brooks's Story Structure (from storyfix.com and Story Engineering) and Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet (from Save the Cat, designed by Elizabeth Davis))
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PROJECT TITLELOGLINE
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Story Title goes here (The Da Vinci Code)Basic logline goes here (A researcher exposes lies of the Catholic Church)
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WORD COUNT (update this and the rest will auto-calculate)PAGE COUNT (the math here assumes Times New Roman--change the formula below from 275 to 250 for Courier New)
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80,000291
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#BEATS, PARTS, & MILESTONESDESCRIPTIONPAGE (approx.)WORD COUNTCHAPTER
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APart 1--The SetupIntroduce protagonist, hook the reader, and setup First Plot Point (foreshadowing, establishing stakes); major goal is establishing empathy (not necessarily likability) for the protagonist.173120,000
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Beat 1Opening ImageSets the tone, mood, type, and scope of the project. A "before" snapshot.131800
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A.1Opening SceneOpening scene or sequence of story; protagonist must be introduced within first 1-3 scenes.1712000
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Beat 2Theme StatedSecondary character poses question or statement to MC that is theme of the movie.133640
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A.2Hook MomentSomething that creates a question the reader wants an answer to or an itch that needs to be scratched; doesn't need context with protagonist's needs or stakes.11514000
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Beat 3Set-upIntroduce/hint at every character in A story; plant character tics to be addressed later on.12617280
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Beat 4CatalystLife-changing event that knocks down house of cards.328736
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A.3Inciting Incident*Optional* Game-changing event occurring during Part 1, often leading to a decision at the First Plot Point.157115800
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Beat 5DebatePoint of no return; character makes a choice.3266873618200
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A.4First Plot PointAntagonistic forces fully comes into play, defining the goal, stakes, and obstacles for protagonist; first time the meaning and implications of antagonistic events are seen.58731600020000
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Beat 6Act IIA strong, definite change of playing field. Do not ease into Act II.6618200
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BPart 2--The ResponseThe protagonist's reaction to the new goal/stakes/obstacles revealed by the First Plot Point; the protagonist doesn't need to be heroic yet (retreats/regroups/doomed attempts/reminders of antagonistic forces at work).741452000040000
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Beat 7B-StoryOften the "love" story; gives us a break from the tension of the A story; carries theme of movie; often uses new "funhouse" version of characters.7921840
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Beat 8Fun & Games"The promise of the premise" / the heart of the movie / all about having fun.791462184040040
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B.1First Pinch PointReminder of the story's antagonistic forces, not filtered by narrative or protagonist's description, but directly visible to the reader.10930000
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Beat 9MidpointThreshold between 1st half and 2nd half; can be false peak or false collapse; stakes are raised; fun and games over14640040
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B.2MidpointNew information or awareness that changes the experience or understanding of context for the protagonist and/or reader; a catalyst activating new decisions/actions.14540000
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CPart 3--The AttackMidpoint information/awareness causes the protagonist to change course in how to approach the obstacles; the hero is now empowered with information on how to proceed, not merely reacting anymore; protagonist also ramps up battle with inner demons.1462184000060000
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Beat 10Bad Guys Close InBad guys regroup and send heavy artillery; hero's team begins to unravel.1461994000054600
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C.1Second Pinch PointReminder of the story's antagonistic forces, as the antagonist ups the game against the protagonist's attacks.18250000
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C.2All Is Lost Lull*Optional* A slower paced, all-hope-is-lost lull before the Second Plot Point.1832175000060000
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Beat 11All is LostOpposite of midpoint (peak/collapse); whiff of death - old way of thinking dies/give up moment/runaway moment; false defeat; no hope.19954600
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Beat 12Black momentDarkest point; protagonist has lost everything.1992255460061880
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C.3Second Plot PointThe final injection of new information into the story (doesn't need to be fully understood by the protagonist yet); protagonist's quest is accelerated.21860000
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DPart 4--The ResolutionThe protagonist summons the courage and growth to come up with solution, overcome inner obstacles, and conquer the antagonistic force; all new information must have been referenced, foreshadowed, or already in play (otherwise, deus ex machina).2192916000080000
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Beat 13Act IIIA story and B story combine and reveal solution.22561880
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Beat 14FinaleWrap-up; dispatch all bad guys in ascending order, working way up to the boss.2252886188079280
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Beat 15Final ImageOpposite of opening image; show how much change has occurred.2882917928080,000
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