Research - Three-Act Structure - Jack

There are three main structures which can be used throughout films. Tzvetan Todorov's theory of Classic Narrative defined these as;

• The Set-up/Equilibrium - which is the first few minutes of the film. It creates interest in the audience and takes them to feel concerned as to what the real problem is and what may happen within it. It is usually also where the protagonist is firstly introduced. 
• The Disruption/Disequilibrium - this continues and develops over most of the film - it can begin within seconds of the film beginning, but usually it starts within the first 15 minutes. The disruption intrigues the audience all the more, giving them more and more information and putting various points of view for imaginative comparison. This eventually leads to higher points of audience interest. 
• The Resolution or Closer/End - usually within the last 10 to 15 minutes of the film. This tends to 'solve' the problem of the story developed so far. It is therefore expected to bring the 'climax' to an end to give the audience the pay-off. It is also usually the most 'break taking' point for the audience as it leads to the final outcome of the entire plot. With exceptions, it is usually the triumph of the good (protagonist) over the evil (antagonist). 

Here is a diagram explaining this: 

However taking this into account, this rule does not necessarily have to be followed. You could create a circular narrative which means you could start the film anywhere e.g the disruption and continue it with the the set-up etc. For example, in the film 'Taken' it gets straight into the second stage, as well as 'The Dark Knight' which gets straight into the bank robbery (the disequilibrium). 

Although some films may have the structures in the same order, it can also vary how long they take to get to the certain stages. For example, in 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' is takes a while to progress into the second stage.  However, a thriller film that fits the same model may progress to the second stage within 5 minutes. What occurs in each stage will vary from genre to genre, and again film to film. 

Many thriller narratives are non-chronological (Non-linear) - containing flashbacks, beginning with the story ending and taking twists and turns throughout, e.g. Pulp Fiction, The Hangover, Inception and Usual Suspects. We are hoping to make this apparent in the opening of our film. A reason for this is that films do this because they want to raise questions throughout the audience to keep them interested, in which case is what we want to be doing. 

Thriller films recognise the order of the story in order to engage the spectator in an active relationship with the text - creating some confusion or raising questions, which are important thriller techniques. It will keep us on the edge of our seats, and keep us guessing. 

According to theorist Roland Barthes, whenever a film narrative creates confusion or raises questions (e.g about identity or what has happened) it is creating an enigma codes. We hope to create many enigma codes within the opening of our thriller film.