How to find The Beginning of Act 2 (video)

In my opinion, the Beginning of Act 2 is probably the easiest plot point there is to find.

I’ve created a video for you with everything you need to know on how to locate the second Act in a story or a film, based on the 3-Act Structure model.

Act 2 begins when the adventure actually starts.

What do we mean when we say Act 2 in the 3 Act Structure Model? We (usually) mean the Middle of the story. Try not to confuse the Middle with the Midpoint. I explain here thoroughly what the Midpoint is.

And when the Middle begins? Right after we have learned all the backstory.

Think of it as a door. A door between two worlds.

When the heroine / hero of the story walks through the door, is the moment we leave Act I and we enter Act II.

According to Joseph Campbell, in Act 2 we leave the “Ordinary world” and we enter a “New world”. The moment our protagonist starts her/his journey is the moment we enter in Act 2.

Method to Find The Beginning of Act 2:

Try and answer the following questions.

1. What’s this story about?
   Don’t try to make a summary, or anything, you don’t have to try too hard. Just answer the first thing that comes to your mind about the film you have seen.
2. When does this happen in the story? When does it really starts happening?

Let’s see some examples in films:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

1. What’s this story about?

It’s about a kid who is studying to be a wizard. (That’s enough, you don’t need more information, just the essence of the story.)

2. When does this happen in the story?

It’s when the kid goes to school for the first time. Harry gets on the train to Hogwarts for the first time.

The Game

Again, first we locate the moment the protagonist passes from HIS ordinary world to a new world.

1. What’s this story about?

It’s about a wealthy businessman (Nicholas Van Orton) who’s playing a game that’s going to change his whole life.

2. When does this happen in the story? When does it really starts happening?

It’s when the game actually begins for him. When Nicholas finds a clown on his doorstep.

Hunger Games

1. What’s this story about?

“Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.” (from IMDB)

2. When does this happen in the story?

It’s when our protagonist begins her journey to play in the Hunger Games. Katniss gets on the train to the Capitol, where she also meets her mentor, Haymitch.

For more examples check here: