Scriptwriting Essentials 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'inciting incident' in a story structure?
- The event that sets the main plot in motion (Correct answer)
- The final confrontation of the story
- The opening credits sequence
- The resolution of all subplots
Correct answer: The event that sets the main plot in motion
The inciting incident disrupts the protagonist's status quo and launches the central conflict.
Question 2: In three-act structure, what generally happens at the Act Two midpoint?
- A major turn that raises stakes or shifts the protagonist's approach (Correct answer)
- The hero is first introduced
- The opening image is shown
- The final credits roll
Correct answer: A major turn that raises stakes or shifts the protagonist's approach
The midpoint is a pivotal reversal or revelation that changes the trajectory of the second act.
Question 3: What is a 'character arc'?
- The internal transformation a character undergoes over the story (Correct answer)
- The path a character physically walks on set
- A list of a character's lines
- The lighting design for a character
Correct answer: The internal transformation a character undergoes over the story
A character arc traces how a character changes in belief, behavior, or identity from beginning to end.
Question 4: What does 'show, don't tell' advise screenwriters to do?
- Convey information through action and visuals rather than exposition (Correct answer)
- Use more dialogue than action
- Always include a narrator
- Write longer scene descriptions
Correct answer: Convey information through action and visuals rather than exposition
Because film is visual, it's stronger to dramatize information through behavior and images than to state it outright.
Question 5: What is the primary function of the climax in a screenplay?
- The peak confrontation that resolves the central conflict (Correct answer)
- The introduction of the antagonist
- The setup of the world
- A quiet moment of reflection early on
Correct answer: The peak confrontation that resolves the central conflict
The climax is the highest point of tension where the main conflict comes to a decisive head.
Question 6: What is 'exposition' in screenwriting?
- Background information the audience needs to follow the story (Correct answer)
- The fastest-paced action sequence
- A type of camera move
- The closing scene
Correct answer: Background information the audience needs to follow the story
Exposition supplies necessary context about characters, world, or backstory.
Question 7: What does the 'stakes' of a story refer to?
- What the protagonist stands to gain or lose (Correct answer)
- The number of scenes in the script
- The budget of the film
- The casting choices
Correct answer: What the protagonist stands to gain or lose
Stakes are the consequences hanging on the outcome, which drive tension and audience investment.
Scriptwriting Essentials 3
What is the 'inciting incident' in a story structure?