The 5 Moments - brief intro

Hidden in the structure of every good movie and screenplay are 5 key moments. These 5 moments provide an objective formula that pinpoint exactly when key moments happen in a good movie and screenplay. Knowing this insight deepens your understanding of story structure and gives you a valuable tool to improve your work.

This blog takes a close look at story structure from the vantage point of 5 moments located on page 25, page 45, page 60, 45 pages and 25 pages before the screenplay ends.

Being aware of the 5 moments means you're capable of leveraging precise information that can improve how well you tell a story. It doesn't mean you're limiting yourself to a formula, it means you're aware of a hidden structure within every good story.

45 minutes before Schindler’s List ends, Ben Kingsley’s character Itzhak Stern holds up the list and says “The list is an absolute good. The list is life.” At -45 in Schindler's List a key moment happens. What if that wasn't an accident? What if that key moment was at -45 according to a structural plan?

This blog enriches you because it helps you read movies from another perspective; the better you read, the better you'll write. The 5 moments provides you with a deeper understanding of structure to help you create better screenplays.