Sheet1Master Story Planning Worksheet(based on Larry Brooks's Story Structure (from storyfix.com and Story Engineering) and Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet (from Save the Cat))PROJECT TITLELOGLINEStory Title goes here (The Da Vinci Code)Basic logline goes here (A researcher exposes lies of the Catholic Church)WORD COUNT (update this and the rest will auto-calculate)PAGE COUNT (the math here assumes Times New Roman--change the formula below from 275 to 250 for Courier New)110,000400#BEATS, PARTS, & MILESTONESDESCRIPTIONPAGE (approx.)WORD COUNTCHAPTERAPart 1--The SetupIntroduce protagonist, hook the reader, and setup First Plot Point (foreshadowing, establishing stakes); major goal is establishing empathy (not necessarily likability) for the protagonist.1100127500Beat 1Opening ImageSets the tone, mood, type, and scope of the project. A "before" snapshot.1411100A.1Opening SceneOpening scene or sequence of story; protagonist must be introduced within first 1-3 scenes.11012750Beat 2Theme StatedSecondary character poses question or statement to MC that is theme of the movie.185005A.2Hook MomentSomething that creates a question the reader wants an answer to or an itch that needs to be scratched; doesn't need context with protagonist's needs or stakes.12015500Beat 3Set-upIntroduce/hint at every character in A story; plant character tics to be addressed later on.136110010Beat 4CatalystLife-changing event that knocks down house of cards.4412012A.3Inciting Incident*Optional* Game-changing event occurring during Part 1, often leading to a decision at the First Plot Point.179121725Beat 5DebatePoint of no return; character makes a choice.44911201225025A.4First Plot PointAntagonistic forces fully comes into play, defining the goal, stakes, and obstacles for protagonist; first time the meaning and implications of antagonistic events are seen.801002200027500Beat 6Act IIA strong, definite change of playing field. Do not ease into Act II.9125025BPart 2--The ResponseThe protagonist's reaction to the new goal/stakes/obstacles revealed by the First Plot Point; the protagonist doesn't need to be heroic yet (retreats/regroups/doomed attempts/reminders of antagonistic forces at work).1012002750055000Beat 7B-StoryOften the "love" story; gives us a break from the tension of the A story; carries theme of movie; often uses new "funhouse" version of characters.10930030Beat 8Fun & Games"The promise of the premise" / the heart of the movie / all about having fun.1092003003055055B.1First Pinch PointReminder of the story's antagonistic forces, not filtered by narrative or protagonist's description, but directly visible to the reader.15041250Beat 9MidpointThreshold between 1st half and 2nd half; can be false peak or false collapse; stakes are raised; fun and games over20055055B.2MidpointNew information or awareness that changes the experience or understanding of context for the protagonist and/or reader; a catalyst activating new decisions/actions.20055000CPart 3--The AttackMidpoint information/awareness causes the protagonist to change course in how to approach the obstacles; the hero is now empowered with information on how to proceed, not merely reacting anymore; protagonist also ramps up battle with inner demons.2013005500082500Beat 10Bad Guys Close InBad guys regroup and send heavy artillery; hero's team begins to unravel.2012735500075075C.1Second Pinch PointReminder of the story's antagonistic forces, as the antagonist ups the game against the protagonist's attacks.25068750C.2All Is Lost Lull*Optional* A slower paced, all-hope-is-lost lull before the Second Plot Point.2512996875082500Beat 11All is LostOpposite of midpoint (peak/collapse); whiff of death - old way of thinking dies/give up moment/runaway moment; false defeat; no hope.27375075Beat 12Black momentDarkest point; protagonist has lost everything.2733097507585085C.3Second Plot PointThe final injection of new information into the story (doesn't need to be fully understood by the protagonist yet); protagonist's quest is accelerated.30082500DPart 4--The ResolutionThe protagonist summons the courage and growth to come up with solution, overcome inner obstacles, and conquer the antagonistic force; all new information must have been referenced, foreshadowed, or already in play (otherwise, deus ex machina).30140082500110000Beat 13Act IIIA story and B story combine and reveal solution.30985085Beat 14FinaleWrap-up; dispatch all bad guys in ascending order, working way up to the boss.30939685085109010Beat 15Final ImageOpposite of opening image; show how much change has occurred.396400109010110,000

Assembled by Jami Gold (jamigold.com)with a hat tip to Elizabeth Davis's Blake Snyder/&"-,Italic"Save the Cat&"-,Regular" Beat Sheet(www.lizwritesbooks.com)

For more helpful writing information, check out http://jamigold.com/for-writers/Last updated on 2/11/11