Pinch Points: Fixing Your Second Act

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We all know what characters’ arcs are supposed to accomplish: a character should hold a certain belief at the start of the story and then hold a different belief at the end. Sounds simple. And many writers are able to do just that. However, what many writers fail to do is make clear and believable transitions between the two sets of beliefs. Often, amateur writers have their character arcs feel too rushed, too slow, or even nonexistent.
This is where Pinch Points can come in handy.
In this video, I want to define what pinch points are, explain how they work, and illustrate how you can use pinch points according to different character arcs. This way you can create believable belief transitions for your own characters.
Fundamentals of Screenwriting Playlist: • The Fundamentals Of Sc...
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[@TylerMowery]

Get Practical Tools to Write Your Great Screenplay: www.practicalscreenwriting.com

[@purpledudeanimates9030]

Ur videos are great!

[@benjaminread5287]

Since watching a load of Studio Ghibli movies for the first time I've become intrigued by the untraditional style the characters are shaped. It's much harder to pin point any development points. If there is any development it is subtle and much more realistic.

[@BavoDebraekeleer]

It depends which ones you're talking about, but if it's by Hayao Miyazaki, he doesn't really use story structure but just starts working on storyboards to develop the story if I remember correctly. Watch The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness if this interests you. It is also argumented he uses kishotenketsu which is an Asian story structure technique, but I think he mostly shows story structure is only a tool, not something you need to tell a great story. You can still analyse his films with story structures though, but not as easily as something that uses it to actually write the script of course. Some of his films could use a bit more structure though in my humble opinion.

[@davesy22]

Kishōtenketsu - a lot of these films follow this structure of storytelling

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@davesy22 The film presented as examples here? Please explain them to me.

[@benjaminread5287]

@@BavoDebraekeleer yes agreed. You basically said what I wanted to say but better 😂.

[@White_Z33]

Hi, I have a series of questions. 1) Can the protagonist change during the movie? For example, in Psycho, the protagonist changes in the middle of the film. 2) According to Tyler, the Harmon circle can be used to analyze an entire movie or even each act. I read the book "Into The Woods" by John Yorke, and he says that each act has an inciting incident. Does this mean that each act has an inciting incident, two plot points, and even a midpoint? 3) What structure do you use besides the Harmon circle? The 3-act structure by Syd Field? The 5-act structure? Or which one? 4) All stories have 3 acts? I know Trantino uses 5act structure 5) How do you combine the harmon circle with the different beat sheet like Save The Cat or The Syd Field Paradigm?

[@LaneMaxfield]

I love that you've discussed named and described flat arcs! Many of my favorite characters fit this structure, such as Moana, Lt. Columbo from the old TV series, and Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld books. I get so tired of being told that all protagonists believe a lie and learn the truth, when it can be just as interesting to see a character hold to a truth in the face of a lie.

[@jonathanatz2440]

I've struggled lately to hurdle the second act and progression of character from call to action to climax. This video shows things so clearly. It's all about the character's belief system being tested, and the examples with different arcs are very helpful as well. At this point I've watched too many of your videos I'm embarrassed to say I'm just now subscribing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@vaaorun6475]

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TYLER.. THAT YOU'RE DOING THIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF FILMAKERS... THIS REALLY INSPIRES ALL OF US TO DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS TOO THROUGH OUR ART❤❤🙌Love from India

[@rraptor158]

There was something oddly cinematic about the cut to Edward Norton's reaction at 1:57 when you said "Belief set A,"

[@ben-lk7eg]

omg yeah i noticed that too its j the cut on him looking up as he says “A” its the eyes daring up that makes it look sick

[@White_Z33]

Hi, I have a series of questions. 1) Can the protagonist change during the movie? For example, in Psycho, the protagonist changes in the middle of the film. 2) According to Tyler, the Harmon circle can be used to analyze an entire movie or even each act. I read the book "Into The Woods" by John Yorke, and he says that each act has an inciting incident. Does this mean that each act has an inciting incident, two plot points, and even a midpoint? 3) What structure do you use besides the Harmon circle? The 3-act structure by Syd Field? The 5-act structure? Or which one? 4) All stories have 3 acts? I know Trantino uses 5act structure 5) How do you combine the harmon circle with the different beat sheet like Save The Cat or The Syd Field Paradigm?

[@beyondcinema]

excellent video Tyler! I didn't know about pinch points before, but was unconsciously structuring them into my scripts. Great to have it defined and presented in this way.

[@ic9778]

Me too.

[@Rick-gd6pe]

Can you do a video on world building?

[@Bike557]

This video is so well made, it got to the point right at the start with the pinch points and middle line thing and then gave examples of other movies who used that format, very well done and informative video

[@markuspfeifer8473]

Ahhh! That helped me to figure out my second pinch point on my disillusion arc. Thanks!

[@Carlos-to9yt]

Could you imagine how funny it would be if tyler, at the start of the video said hi dudes? And with the most serious face and voice

[@hassassinator8858]

Thank you so much for this video, I was really struggling with this stuff in my script!

[@Jarory1]

I just stumbled onto this video for the first time and holy shit it's brilliant.

[@justinsprout7611]

This one was really helpful for me. I keep getting stuck in the same area in my screenplay and I think this was what I needed to continue on with my story 🙏🏻

[@TravelNakisa]

The best explanation on pinch points. Thanks

[@malikdc9052]

Just when I needed it. Thank you!!

[@sairam-cx8ue]

Bro, can u please explain how to achieve balance between character and plot, and difference between plot driven stories and character driven stories

[@hassassinator8858]

I just try to see what characters would do, based on their beliefs and arcs, and that tends to create a decent plot on its own. After that, you can make things more intense by raising the stakes and connecting elements together so they build into a web of sorts.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Plot is character. Plot is based off the character's decisions. And the character is who the plot happens to.

[@sairam-cx8ue]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy tnq Very simplified and understandable.

[@White_Z33]

Hi, I have a series of questions. 1) Can the protagonist change during the movie? For example, in Psycho, the protagonist changes in the middle of the film. 2) According to Tyler, the Harmon circle can be used to analyze an entire movie or even each act. I read the book "Into The Woods" by John Yorke, and he says that each act has an inciting incident. Does this mean that each act has an inciting incident, two plot points, and even a midpoint? 3) What structure do you use besides the Harmon circle? The 3-act structure by Syd Field? The 5-act structure? Or which one? 4) All stories have 3 acts? I know Trantino uses 5act structure 5) How do you combine the harmon circle with the different beat sheet like Save The Cat or The Syd Field Paradigm?

[@udayballa6205]

Big fan bro

[@GundamPhoenixO]

I mean, yea... miles had a really good thought process there. He has no clue what he can or can't do yet and no training. And even the veteran Spiderman was having issues lmao. I'm really not mad at miles for staying back here. He would have died lmao.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

He also doesn't have the web slinger at the time.

[@White_Z33]

Hi, I have a series of questions. 1) Can the protagonist change during the movie? For example, in Psycho, the protagonist changes in the middle of the film. 2) According to Tyler, the Harmon circle can be used to analyze an entire movie or even each act. I read the book "Into The Woods" by John Yorke, and he says that each act has an inciting incident. Does this mean that each act has an inciting incident, two plot points, and even a midpoint? 3) What structure do you use besides the Harmon circle? The 3-act structure by Syd Field? The 5-act structure? Or which one? 4) All stories have 3 acts? I know Trantino uses 5act structure 5) How do you combine the harmon circle with the different beat sheet like Save The Cat or The Syd Field Paradigm?

[@danguy2236]

Great vid 👏

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

Very interesting technique

[@tshepomolibeli]

amazing video!

[@Jasanimprovement]

Keep uploading

[@johnphares3358]

I discovered by accident that breaking Act 2 into 4 story circles, instead of 2, places the pinch points at the end of Act 2 pt 1, and Act 2 pt 3. I like breaking Act 1, and 3 in half too.

[@johnphares3358]

In my story, it also naturally worked out that each section fits within the larger story circle. Weird. I'm not sure if anyone else has tried this. Fractal story arc; structure within structure. You-act1pt1 (Ordinary day) Need-act2pt2 (Meet mentor) Go-Act2pt1 (end is pp1) Search-Act2pt2 (end is mp) Find-Act2pt3 (end is pp2) Take-Act2pt4 (Reward) Return-Act3pt1 Change-Act3pt2

[@harryom3497]

Very helpful

[@jockinjayaraj2866]

Bro super bro super videos continue pannu ga ❤❤❤

[@RadarScreen]

Love your videos, Tyler, but you reference KM Weiland and this take didn't seem to match KM's viewpoint of pinch points. Nor does it reflect the origin of pinch points (way before Weiland). So I reread Weiland...came to the same conclusion...but learned a lot in the process. So good job "making" me learn about story structure. :-)

[@NUCLEARDASH]

That is odd

[@HonestArttsEntertain]

great video

[@tedarcher9120]

Fight Club is a weird example, bw because most characters are in narrator's head and aren't really character themselves, they are three parts of one main character, the narrator.

[@aayushjadhav1186]

Its not weird

[@tedarcher9120]

@@aayushjadhav1186 it is weird because Tyler is not a character, the narrator, Tyler, and Marla are all different aspects of a single character, you can't analyze them alone.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@tedarcher9120 yes we can. He just did Tyler Durden.

[@tedarcher9120]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy he is wrong though. Tyler is not a character in the story

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@tedarcher9120 ok, whatever.

[@saiganesh7944]

Interesting video. I feel that a story can become interesting if the inciting incident of a story is also the pinch point in the life of the character.

[@VijayKumawatx]

I want one video how to write narrative script of 2 to 3 min of single idea,

[@VijayKumawatx]

@Sarath yes bro, 3 to 2 min narrative script

[@thedoctor2871]

I'm starting to think I should consider watching Sicario. 'Cause you keep talking about it in your videos.

[@curiousKuro16]

I don't think Miles's inaction is caused by fear. I think it's more to do with him not having direction, education or skill, and not wanting to cause more problems for Peter. Though I think the point still stands, I also think Peter was sort of fated to die in service to the new Spiderman.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Oh boy, another video.

[@Jasanimprovement]

Upload a video on fixing plot point

[@Suleimanfilmaker]

Hey Tyler I need to say my artistic ego has been destroyed I need help

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

I feel like you should make one fully focusing on into the spider-verse.

[@ReySkywalker2]

I love your video's on character arcs. I would love to see one analyzing the underrated, misunderstood, psychologically deep, and complex character arc of Rey Skywalker from Star Wars.

[@pnr2736]

Yooo

[@udayballa6205]

Hi bro

[@KutWrite]

Wait... I thought Tyler Durden was an imaginary character in Norton's character's head, not the real protagonist. Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?

[@icecreamhero2375]

I kinda disagree a little bit about Spiderverse. Miles just got his powers. It wouldn't have made sense for him to be good at using his powers yet. He wasn't trained. Self confidence is the first step to competence.

[@juju10683]

are flat arcs inherently more boring? the ones that come to mind are not very compelling.

[@WarGamerGirl]

The Big Lebowski =)

[@juju10683]

@@WarGamerGirl good one! Also is There Will Be Blood a flat arc? That movie is in my top ten

[@NUCLEARDASH]

Dude, what

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@juju10683 There Will Be Blood is a fall arc. He gets what he wants, at the cost of all the other good things in his life, like his adopted son H.W.

[@humaafandi8894]

I vvish you hadn´t used Diana... Gal Gaddot, not very heroic behind the scenes being an IDF soldier vs palestinian children. Not one vvord from her about the children dying from bombs, specifically targettet by Israel. She just closed dovvn her instagram account, beacuse the pressure got too high. Real hero, she is not. Just a pretty face. Other than that, really nice content

[@aaron4647]

Tyler has no references he is a newbie and tries you to sell his own course. It is a making money strategy and you will learn crap from him. It works like a placebo you think you making progress but really you only learn techniques which are not worth to learn and also brings you up from learning your own style of creating new ideas and stories. He only made 1 script, he has not won any Filmfestival/Oscar etc. It is the same for most of the courses. You do not need any paid courses to get good in writing. Do not listen to this bullshit!!!

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

You spend all your time running your mouth, slandering this guy when you haven't tried his course.

[@aaron4647]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy Are you nuts? I did his course and it's crap!!! Pls go to toilet Tyler fanboy ;)

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@aaron4647 did you really though? Cuz for all I know, you're just some guy slandering him. Like, what was even there? What videos?

[@aaron4647]

@@TomEyeTheSFMguy I did and shut up now. You Tylerfan boy. It's crap and you believe his bullshit. Stop destroying the creativity of smart people.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@aaron4647 you can say you did all you like, yet you don't seem remotely credible. If it's all crap and bullshit, it wouldn't match the quality of his KZbin videos.