Screenwriting ABCs Plot/Structure Lesson

The Major Event: A Quick Reference Guide

by Karel Segers - The Story Department

Screenwriting Lesson, 1 page
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The Major Event (often called the Inciting Incident), is a critical component in most successful, engaging screenplays. From his seminar, professional screenwriter & educator Karel Segers has provided this quick reference guide to help understand all the key components of an effective Major Event that will drive your story forward.

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The Major Event (often called the Inciting Incident), is a critical component in most successful, engaging screenplays. From his seminar, professional screenwriter & educator Karel Segers has provided this quick reference guide to help understand all the key components of an effective Major Event that will drive your story forward.

The Story Series

The Major Event

FIRST TIME - This event has never happened to the M.C. Before
OUTSIDE MC’s CONTROL - It is done to the character; they don’t have any control over it.
CAUSING CHANGE - It starts a chain of causation, leading to ultimate change for the MC.
UNEXPECTED & UNWANTED - The MC doesn’t see it coming, and (usually) doesn’t like it.
SUDDEN - It is not a gradual process but a sudden, clearly identifiable event.

ON SCREEN - It does not predate the story; we experience it on screen, with the MC.

MOTIVATING ACTION - The event creates a situation that motivates the main action of the movie. Therefore, if we leave it out, the story’s main action feels unmotivated.
SIGNIFICANT - The Major Event is always a big deal. We need to feel its significance through the MC’s POV.
HAPPENING TO M.C. - The story’s Major Event never happens to a different character. It is always the MC.

www.thestoryseries.com

Karel Segers - The Story Department

The Story Department • https://www.thestorydepartment.com/

I sold my first produced screenplay at age 17, and have clocked over 40 years of experience in the global entertainment industry since. Today, I'm a story consultant, writer, and lecturer with experience in film rights acquisition, development, and production. My clients include multiple Oscar nominees as well as absolute beginners.

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