Lecture 7
Three Act Structure


There are always three parts to a story, a beginning, middle and end. Although, they do not have to be necessarily in that order. This usually follows the basic time structure of 30:60:30. At the beginning, within the  first thirty minutes we are introduced to the protagonist of the story. A protagonist is the main drive force through the film, this usually being the main character. We are then introduced to those who pass or are connected in some way to the main character, family, friend, enemy. The following sixty minutes is where a crisis occurs. During this part, something changes to disturb a situation or activity through out the film. This creates a problem for the characters to resolve in the final thirty minutes of the film. 

Due date is an american comedy that follows a three act structure. In the first act of the film we are introduced to the main characters, Peter Highman and Ethan Tremblay. Two characters that have a huge contrast in personalities and Peter is easily irritated by Ethan's child-like ways. The two characters meet when flying to the same destination, Los Angeles, where Peter is on his way home to be present of the birth of his first child where Ethan is travelling to fulfill his acting career. We expect Peter to fly out to his home until a crisis occurs which changes this activity in the second act of the film. Peter is no longer able to travel to see the birth of his child due to the interruption of Ethan. Ethan offers Peter to travel with him. Although Peter strongly does not want to, he has no option  if he want to be there fore the birth of his child.This changes the direction of the film leading Peter to experience more disastrous moments with Ethan. Due to this, we do not expect the two characters to speak again, or arrive at there destination.
In the final act, the two characters resolve their problems, and form an unlikely and unexpected friendship and Peter makes it in time to see the birth of his child.


Pre-Production
Character Design


When creating characters for a film there are three aspects that will need to be considered. This being their appearance, action and interaction with other characters in the story. I have chosen a fictional character from a children's story book and computer-animated film, as I feel the three different aspects are shown strongly.


Appearance
Shrek is a large, strong intimidating ogre who can sometimes appear to look angry and unapproachable to those around him although he can be a loving, caring character as you see grow throughout the film. The creature repeatedly wheres the same torn clothes coming across as quite a lazy, scruffy  character. He is not afraid of how he looks and how it affects the people around him. 


Action
Shrek is extremely courageous, and has the ability to take on most tasks due to his strength and fearlessness. His main action and priority is to live and protect his swamp. Although, he faces a lot of challenges through out the film. such as saving those who become his friends. 


Interaction
As stated, some find him scary and many keep their distance from him. Although, he gets on well with the majority of those in the film. There are those who he has a strong relationship with and those he does not. Fiona, a princess and ogre is the love interest in the story. Therefore the interaction and relationship with this character is extremely close.
'Donkey' is Shrek's friend and side kick who you would rarely see apart in the film. Shrek occasionally gets annoyed with his irritating behavior although would never to do anything to harm this character because of their strong friendship.
Lord Farquaad is Shrek's enemy and villain. The lord interrupts Shrek's privacy on his land and also plans to destroy the lives of those who become his friends.