Day 8 – A word about structure
Day · 1 minute
Yesterday, we finished reading the script. Today, we start work on the synopsis.
The following days allow time to work on the synopsis, but you’ll have the opportunity to refine and complete the work at the end of the course.
It may seem as if this course doesn’t teach story structure. This is technically correct, but you are also putting the cart before the horse.
The synopsis is not an outcome. You are not assessed on it.
Writing the synopis IS the training.
Some of the best story teachers recommend that during development, you tell your story to a willing audience, numerous times.
It exposes the structural strengths and weaknesses.
More importantly, it forces you to hold the whole story in your mind, and become more actively aware of its constituent parts.
As you summarise a story, you are tapping into an important skill set.
No longer are you focusing on the transformation of images and ideas into words; you’re dealing with the entirety of the story, its key characters and plot points.
This will become much clearer as you work on today’s task: to write the Step Outline (or beat sheet).