ROP TV-ISP

Short Story Proposal - 3 Acts

25 Points

 

Objective:

To develop a short story idea with a basic three act structure.

 

Instructions:

Brainstorm a variety of story ideas and then select one that you would like to develop into a short film of no more than five minutes in length.  The film should be something you can shoot in class next term.  You may set you story on campus, but you may also consider shooting in any location you have access to. 

 

Type your concept in Microsoft Word (or similar word processing program).  The story must have Three Acts. This is a short film, so the development may be compressed, however, you must spell out all three parts.  Copy the text below describing what occurs in below and then write what happens in each of your three acts. Turn this Word document into SchoolLoop under the Short Story Proposal.  You should have between 200 and 300 words total on this assignment (including the text you cut and pasted). 

 

Example:

  1. The beginning should intrigue the audience and capture its interest while setting up a conflict that needs to be resolved.

Devin greets his friend Pat. Pat asks about his weekend and learns that he went to a magic and joke shop.  Pat wants to learn what he got, but Devin hesitates.  Devin says he doesn’t think Pat will take it seriously if he sees it.  Pat promises he will. Devin pulls a stuffed bear from his backpack and introduces Hypno-Bear.  Pat sees the bear but laughs it off.  Devin starts to put it away.  Pat begs him to tell him what it does.  Devin tells him the bear can hypnotize people. 

 

  1. The middle should cover the evolution of that conflict.

Pat agrees to be hypnotized.  After he is under he is made to dance and do other silly things under the trance of the bear.  Then Devin asks Pat to sing like Elvis. 

 

  1. The end should provide the solution of the conflict or its transformation into something else.

Pat snaps out of his apparent hypnotic state and laughing says that he wasn’t hypnotized.  Devin pleads with him to look back in Hypno-Bears eyes so he can safely take him out of the trance.  As Pat is looking, Devin reaches for a squirt toy and blasts Pat in the face.    

 

 

Copy and paste this test below and use it in your proposal:

 

  1. The beginning should intrigue the audience and capture its interest while setting up a conflict that needs to be resolved.

 

  1. The middle should cover the evolution of that conflict.

 

  1. The end should provide the solution of the conflict or its transformation into something else.