Have you included a big turning point toward the end of Act II?
Is there a major crisis? In a feature this major crisis will probably be the end of the
Act II turning point. When the three acts are almost equal in a TV script, the end-
of-the-act turning point may be too soon for the major crisis. At the major crisis
everything seems lost for the hero. Hope dies. This is the worst that could possibly
happen and often the opposite of the hero’s goal. The hero may be forced to con-
front his character flaw here. Now the hero must make a critical choice with sacri-
fice or commitment. This choice raises the stakes and speeds up the action, often
with a ticking clock. If it comes too soon, the third act drags, but if it comes too
late, there’s not enough time to develop tension and suspense for the big climax.
It will set up the climax.
We should not be able to predict how the story will end.
The hero may receive new information that leads him to have new hope and redou-
ble his efforts to win.- The climax
Do we see a physical battle leading into the climax? Is it big enough? Can it be
made bigger? Tighten space and time.
Is the battle between the hero and the villain? Other opponents may take part, but
this is a battle of good/the hero against bad/the villain.
Will this be the biggest conflict of the story? The whole script should build to the
climax or big win where the hero reaches his goal.Is this conflict more than just a physical one? Is it also a conflict of values and a
way of life? Can this thematic conflict be made bigger?- The end
Does the story have a twist at the end?
Did the hero learn something about himself and how he should treat others? Do
we know that he will overcome his character flaw?
Does this new knowledge come at the end of the story after the climax and as a
result of the climax?
Is this really something new that the hero has learned? Will it change his life? Is it
helpful information for the audience, leading to a theme they can take home with
them?Did we wrap up all the loose ends of the story? Quickly?
Does the story have a satisfying and a happy ending? It is very rare for the ani-
mation hero to fail to achieve his goal. (Charlie Brown was an exception, as losing
was a part of his character.) Are all the promises fulfilled? If it’s a comedy, does it
go out with a gag?270 Animation Writing and Development