The Ultimate Primer On Story Structure | 40+ Movies Analysed

"Stories are equipment for living." I've loved story structure for 10 years, and now so can you. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't ruin the experience to understand structure. It actually elevates it. This video is an essay on how that works.
Ever wondered how to tell act 2 from act 3? How to look a bit deeper into movies? This is the channel for you! Starting with this video, I'll be uploading videos about movie structure, usually focussing on a single movie at a time. If that interests you, join the community by subscribing, and look around at the other videos on this channel.
Shout out to the excellent Denis-Carl Robidoux (check out his channel) for allowing the use of some overscanned film sprockets in this video.
All the music is by me.
What movie should I break down next?

[@user-lm8jd2fr5p]

this is amazing, such a great video. you actually made the amazing spider-man 2 sound like a good movie

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Haha well it's not awful...

[@punitthakkar4193]

A couple suggestions - - How about analyzing movies that are considered great by most but ones that perhaps deviate slightly from the structure (or seemingly so)? Where the inciting incident might be either the first scene ie 0th minute or at the end of Act 1 ie. 20th minute - Diving into genres like Horror, Thriller? Or Animation considering Pixar has stories with simple yet big thematic ideas and doing a breakdown of sub-principles that might apply to a successful film genre wise. - Taking movies that had promise but were generally considered to be disappointing and analyzing structure of those movies. Would be more interesting if they have followed structure principles but another pattern of reasons emerge across movies as to why they didn't invoke the emotional response as hoped. Thanks!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Awesome suggestions, thanks mate! I will absolutely try to slip in some movies that seem to deviate from the structure. This Thursday I'll be releasing a video on Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, which seems to violate three-act structure. Stay tuned for that! I'm definitely open to a wide range of genres, depending on what proves popular here in terms of views. Both Pixar and Disney form rich veins for mining story knowledge, great ideas. Excellent idea - I was thinking of talking about how Jurassic World (2015) could have been majorly improved with greater attention to structure. Stay tuned for that too, and if videos like that do well I'd love to explore that as a possibility. Thanks again for sharing your ideas, they're great.

[@punitthakkar4193]

@@equipmentforliving7253 Thanks! I feel most books and references don't highlight enough of the underwhelming movies to analyze patterns. There's probably more to learn from misses than hits. Not the best example but What Women Want and its spiritual sequel What Men Want are similar in beats yet one is more enjoyable than the other by a marked degree. The latter follows structure too from what I observed but it made me want to understand whether it faltered in principles of structure application or/and whether there are some other fundamental story issues to learn about.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

@@punitthakkar4193 You're right, there's a heavy emphasis on "classic" cinema, especially in McKee's Story. Snyder's Save the Cat! is far more populist in the movies it breaks down, and the second book (Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies) breaks down 50 popular movies. What Women Want is actually broken down in that book, chapter 3. I haven't seen What Men Want but I agree they would make a very interesting comparison point. Thanks!

[@punitthakkar4193]

@@equipmentforliving7253 It's interesting if that movie is broken down in the book. The spin off version was out on Netflix but definitely paled in comparison even though it followed the classic structure format. It's most likely to do with the art than craft since but a comparison would be wonderful to watch nevertheless. Thanks!

[@beyondthegravecemeterycult1475]

Thank you for this. I'm going to watch it again and take notes.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate! I'm glad it helped :)

[@adamazoulay]

Great video, I love how much data went into this. Would love to see data on the most recurrent themes. Would also love to see more examples of other mediums besides Macbeth. Keep up the great work.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate! Tracking common themes is a really good idea. I'm thinking about looking at film adaptations of e.g. novels and breaking down both source and adaptation in the same video, to get a feel for how it works in other formats. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@jaykellin3639]

This is a really good video. Hidden gold.

[@rne1223]

One of the best videos about structure that I seen. Thank you for providing so many examples. I appreciate it.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks for the feedback - you're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@SchleppFilms]

Quality work! Thanks

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Much appreciated!

[@ashnyx_spiritpeace]

Thanks a lot for the tips Your videos really disserve more views

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thank you, it's much appreciated :)

[@EmEsjay1]

Dude, this is crazy helpful. You deserve way more love!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thank you man, it means a lot :)

[@LouveniaMusic]

This was great!

[@charlesjacques1960]

omg im' so happy!! i found your channel you are awesome and deserve to be seen by the world. Can't wait for the next content

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate, much appreciated :) I'm afraid the channel is currently on hiatus, but there are ~20 past videos here for you to browse through, each breaking down a different movie. I hope you enjoy!

[@MannyBernabe]

excellent. Thank you.

[@QuincyKane]

This was well done! I'd be curious to hear more about how to handle characters; this story structure seems to focus mostly on the protagonist, but what about ensemble films? Or, what makes a good side character like Jack Sparrow? What motivations should they have in relation to the overall story, and how much time should be devoted to them? I dunno if you'd wanna make a video on that topic, but I'd be interested in seeing it!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Great idea mate, thanks! Ensemble movies often confuse me as I'm watching, trying to find the structure. So it's an excellent place to look for more ideas, great thought.

[@davidww7829]

Great job man!

[@barrylyons3034]

Very good! Just before I reached the end, I got to thinking that you should make this a series-and then you said as much. Some movies from the top of my head that I'd like to see you analyze: Rear Window, Jaws, Die Hard, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Enemy of the State, Good Will Hunting, The American President, and The Bourne Identity.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Wow, awesome suggestions, thank you! I like the idea of all of these.

[@corrupt1238]

Excellent viedo, have liked & subbed

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@KyleKingVideo]

I loved this video so much! I did a research paper on film running length in college that shares some of these themes, but approaches them in a different way. I'd be happy to share it with you if you'd like, and you're welcome to use the research in your follow up videos if it's helpful.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks for the support! Sounds great, ping it to me - [e-mail]

[@anotherwhoever]

May I also read your paper? I'm interested to see the different approach.

[@rhea2122]

I love your channel! Can't wait to see it grow. I think this one is going to be big

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks for the support Rachel, I appreciate ya!

[@LawlietKM]

Amazing video, continue, I'll be there to watch them all!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate, stoked to have you on board!

[@InDepthCine]

Interesting video! Subscribed.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate!

[@chrismeiklejohn]

Great video, also a nice touch that the midpoint discussion aligns with the midpoint of the video itself.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Haha thanks mate, good catch! I wish I could say it was intentional. Sometimes things just work out...

[@chrismeiklejohn]

@@equipmentforliving7253 Perhaps your video is an instance of good story structure. How meta.

[@yamiljahdielmelendez6253]

Wow thank you so much for this video! Great Work!! Anyone learning about film should watch this as I did.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks mate!

[@KINGJADEX]

Brilliant analysis!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thank you kindly!

[@WittybalakComedy]

lovely!

[@tigerfightsmonkey9268]

Subscribed. I love story structure as well, and appreciate your straightforward instructional style. Rather than breaking down another movie next, how about making another movie-related primer: ingredients to a successful scene, the keys to a great character, how to create memorable dialogue, etc.?

[@equipmentforliving7253]

All terrific ideas, thank you! Dialogue is something I'd like to learn more about myself, so I'll definitely keep it in mind for a future video. Thanks for watching!

[@esha4rd]

I really enjoyed this! Thanks for making it!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesstephen2957]

I really enjoyed this. Excited to see what comes next.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks man - this is all possible thanks to you!

[@bozimmerman]

I too love plot, but I kinda prefer Aristotle's analysis better than this one, as it seems to explain great stories that lack conflict, calls to adventure, etc, while this one does not. It also doesn't require (but does allow for) character arcs. Since I yawn at character arcs, this better matches my preferences.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

I like Aristotle's point about how you have to be careful not to make your story too long and not to jam in too many turning points.

[@sg_1716]

This is incredibly helpful!

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Awesome, glad you think so!

[@Goodriddance88]

Love this breakdown! Especially the Gattaca one! Would love to see a story structure breakdown of Bridesmaids or Hereditary :)

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Great ideas, thanks mate!

[@riffbaama]

What if I put all the ingredients on a table and come back 200 millions years later, would I find cake?

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Haha good question... I can't rule it out!!

[@JuanFranciscoGuarracino]

looking forward to the five act analysis. Hope you make Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks Juan! If I do Fincher's work it'll probably be in chronological order, but I am interested in seeing how that movie works in particular.

[@donsan6404]

great video. Can you do LOTR.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

I hope to do so soon!

[@Apolloniart]

I love you! 🙂

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Welcome aboard!

[@jabumabaya]

Very insightful, can you breakdown Prisoners by Denis Villeneuve and how it fits into this structure

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Excellent suggestion, thank you! Denis Villeneuve is definitely on my to-do list, and I'd be starting with Prisoners. Probably a couple of months out from now, but stay tuned!

[@jabumabaya]

@@equipmentforliving7253 That's great, would love to see how story structure applies to such a serious drama, will saty tuned, I have already subscribed.

[@Leon-zu1wp]

Cake is flour, eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt. You can absolutely tell a story just by watching and listening to them. This book bologna is only to make money at the expense of making movies similar and similar.

[@equipmentforliving7253]

Thanks for your opinion! Have a great day!

[@Leon-zu1wp]

@@equipmentforliving7253 You're a phoney, sir!