• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Marilyn Horowitz

Marilyn Horowitz

Screenwriting Classes, Coaching, and Resources

212-600-1115
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar
    • What people are saying about the Word of the Day Practice!

Structure Your Act 2 with Ease

August 25, 2017 by Marilyn Horowitz

Happy Friday!

The last meeting of my SVA Feature writing class met on Monday, and we had a party and read pages. I am very proud for them! They did amazing work! Bravo, Class!

My next open class is at NYU and begins on September 25th. It’s filling up fast!

I worked with several private students this week, both on screenplays and TV scripts. The writing theme of the week was how to structure Act 2.

In my writing system, we break the second act into two halves because each part has its own dramatic function. Until that is clearly understood, writing the second act will be unsatisfying both to reader and author. The main character must go on some kind of journey in the second part of Act 2 in order to gain the skills and insight to complete the goal set up in Act 1.
An example of this can be found in the film, The Wizard of Oz: Dorothy reaches Oz and sees the Wizard, only to be met with the demand to get the Witch’s Broom. This causes Dorothy to face her worst fear. When she overcomes the Witch, and saves Toto, she now has the confidence needed to get herself back to Kansas.

 

There’s more to this concept, and you might want to explore movies that have great Act 2, Part 2’s such as The Godfather, Casablanca, When Harry Met Sallyand Dodgeball.  In my book, The 4 Magic Questions of Screenwriting, there is a simple method for getting your story structure right every time.

There are 60 plus breakdowns of movies in the 4-part structure available on my website if you want to explore.

I was lucky enough to see the eclipse and got some good photos!
            eclipse 1          eclipse 2
            eclipse 3         eclipse 4
            Eclipse 5         Eclipse 6
                                           eclipse 7
 Here’s to your successful writing!
Professor Marilyn Horowitz

 

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up

for our Screenwriting Newsletter and Receive Our FREE Gift Top 15 Common Mistakes Made in Writing a Screenplay.

Testimonials

Thank you. If it hadn’t been for you Marilyn, I don’t think I would have made the Woodstock film which… Read more “Nancy C.”

I’m very grateful to be able to learn from Marilyn, Her focus on the psychological and spiritual foundations necessary to… Read more ““…grateful to learn from Marilyn””

Marilyn’s techniques helped me stop overthinking and start writing! She gave me exercises to take the pressure off beginning a… Read more “The Word of the Day”

You are always a light. Thank you.

Desiree

“Working with Marilyn Horowitz has challenged every aspect of my creative process from conception to preparation, and most importantly, execution.… Read more “– Larry Lowry”

- Larry Lowry
Writer/Producer, Nickelodeon
View All Testimonials

Television Writing Evaluation & Guidance

Screenwriting Evaluation & Guidance

Classes & Seminars

Footer

Connect

Contact

CLASSES

Contact the office at 212-600-1115

MEDIA & SPEAKING INQUIRIES

Contact Marilyn Horowitz at 212-600-1115

PUBLISHING & FILM INQUIRIES

Contact Koehler Books at 757-289-6006

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Writing Services
  • Guidance
    • Writing Evaluation
    • Writing Guidance
    • Comprehensive Packages
    • Ongoing Coaching
  • Classes & Seminars
    • New York University Classes
    • Seminars
    • Free Video Tutorials
    • Movie Breakdowns
    • Online Stores
  • Books & Media
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Word of the Day
    • Free Word of the Day Webinar
    • What people are saying about the Word of the Day Practice!
Copyright © 2023 · Marilyn Horowitz. All rights reserved.