Story development.

In a the development of a film there is usually a three act structure, for example for a two hour film these three acts would possibly be spilt into 30:60:30. In act one; we see the introduction of the main character(s), the circumstances surrounding the actions of the characters and generally what the story is about. The main character allows the viewer a way in to the story and also the actions of this character drive the story throughout. These actions can give the viewer an insight to the interrelationships amongst other characters and also places them within a time and place. Act one also encounters an ‘inciting incident’ an event in which sets up the first plot involving the main character. 
In Act two, we see the ‘first culmination’, in which we see the main character to be close to achieving their goal, however this then falls apart. Shortly after the main character reaches the lowest point and we feel that they will never reach their goal.
Finally in Act three we see the climax and the ‘second culmination’, where the plot reaches its end and the story development causes the main character to confront the opposition (antagonist). Close to the end of the film there is a brief period of calm, which then balances the tension.

We can clearly see how this three act structure in the film ‘The Proposal’, in ‘Act one’ we are introduced to the main characters; Margaret Tate and Andrew Paxton and we immediately know their circumstances through the main characters where Margaret is the executive editor in a chief book publishing company and Andrew is her assistant. Margaret is strongly disliked by the other employees and by Andrew due to the fact she is cold and very strict, however these interrelationships change as the story develops. The ‘inciting incident’ in which sets up plot one is when we discover that Margaret faces deportation and her only way to overcome this is to marry Andrew, who has no choice as otherwise he will loose his job.

I Act two we see the ‘first culmination’ where we see Margaret and Andrew close to reaching their goal of getting the official documents of their marriage. However this soon falls apart when the antagonist (the immigration officer) suspects’ fraud and so Margaret decides to abandon the marriage to save Andrew from getting into trouble, and so we then see a change of relationship between these two main characters.
Finally in Act three the climax of the film we see Andrew and Margaret relationship change from hate to love and they confront the antagonist and decide to marry for real and we finally see a brief period of calm at the end of the story, where things seem to be back on track again.

Three act structure-[http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm]

[Accessed 14/11/11].