Story Structure Analysis: The Shawshank Redemption (Movie)

The Shawshank Redemption. Movie Poster. Plot summary and story structure.Format: Movie

Released: 1994

Written and Directed By: Frank Darabont

Run Time: 138 Minutes

Character: Andy Dufresne

I know I said in my last post that I’m working on a video breakdown for Back to the Future. That’s still the case, but I  recently received some feedback from someone under the erroneous impression that the Six Act paradigm is only applicable to action films. So, I wanted to demonstrate how the Six Actions are more subtly implemented in dramas (which is why they may not be as easy to recognize at first glance) by breaking down everyone’s favorite, least-action-packed prison escape film, The Shawshank Redemption.

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Story Structure Analysis: Back to the Future (Movie)

Back to the Future Plot Summary and Story Structure. Official Movie PosterFormat: Movie

Released: 1985

Screenplay By: Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Run Time: 111 Minutes

Character: Marty “Hello” McFly

I took advantage of being snowed in over the weekend and watched the entire Back to the Future trilogy in a single sitting. If there’s any movie franchise worthy of such a treatment this is it. All three movies are insanely interconnected and, as I only just realized as an adult, chronicle about 15 consecutive days in the life of Marty McFly (though only two full days pass over the whole series in 1985). I’ll be posting a video breakdown for YouTube for my next update.  Stay tuned, storytellers.

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