Okay - here we are Act Two A. Act two is separated by the mid-point. (See The Printable Story Grid) Before the mid-point your character is still in learning mode. We've left the set-up of the first act where we have established what is wrong with this person's situation - and now, the situation has changed. That's the act break. The story spins in a new direction. The problems, however, are still with us.
This is where the fun begins. The term "trailer moments" might be a little passe, but it's a great term to communicate what your act two a needs.
Act two is where your main character is tested by the premise of the story. Stop and think about your favorite hit movies. Check out the trailer for The Hangover. Most of the hilarious moments are found after the guys wake up in act two - hungover and missing the groom who is due back in LA to get married. The story has taken a new direction and now we get to experience what Blake Synder called "the promise of the premise." The premise here being The Hangover.
In my own script, my main character thought she was starting a new life, but at the beginning of the second act low-and-behold, her life as taken a 180. Now, I have to make sure the premise tests her and makes her a bit miserable - so that she'll grow. Like in life, we usually grow from our mistakes. Mistakes also happen to be hilarious in comedies and fascinating in other genres. Think about in a horror film when the girl is going to go in the room where the scary thing is waiting. It's a mistake, but it's also the good part; why we bought a ticket.
So, don't be nice to your characters. Remember to put in the stuff that makes you squirm to even write - that's why people will watch. That's why someone will buy your script. Another neat tool - if you find yourself wondering what is my premise - is draw your movie poster. If you can see your poster - then you've got a handle on your premise.
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