The Modified Three Act Structure

One episodic characteristic of a sitcom is the modified three act structure. The three act structure has been a part of story telling since the advent of telling stories. This technique has been the major focus of film narrative since the Classical Hollywood Era, and most recently has been altered and developed to formulate the modified three act structure that is used in television sitcoms.

This three act structure is composed of setup, confrontation and resolution. The set-up creates the basis for the classical character based causality, which usually involves a goal oriented protagonist. Confrontation allows the antagonist to put up road blocks in attempt to keep the hero from achieving his goal. Finally the climax peaks in the third act, where the characters must resolve the initial conflict. This is needed for the audience to find closure and satisfaction in the narrative.

The modified three act structure gets it name from having to be modified to fit the sitcom genre. In film, (in particular, when a film is being produced for the theater), there is no time alotted for commercial/advertisement breaks, remote control happy dads, or household distractions. This means that the viewer can watch the film with constant flow of images and narration, piecing the story together in its intended way. On television, sitcom makers know how many breaks there will be, so they plan the show accordingly. A popular technique is the placement of turning points at the end of each act, or right before the commercial break. This clever idea is used to hook the viewer, who may be enticed to either not change the channel, or to change it back before the commercial break is over. This is just one way that the modified three act structure is used in the sitcom genre.

This technique is so often used, that absolved viewers frequently aren't able to analyze the affect that it has on them. They only think " I have to find out what will happen next!" I will break down one of my favorite episodes of Roseanne in order to exhibit the affect of turning point placement in the modified three act structure. This episode is called " Toto, We're not in Kansas Anymore." The scene, as usual is  filmed on a stage that looks like a home setting. A storm comes to Landford, bringing a tornado to the families house. Roseanne's sister Jackie leaves the house before the storm comes. After the storm comes, the family friend Crystal, comes in from out of town on the tails of the storm and rushes in through the front door. The wind is blowing, the kids are scared, and so are the parents. Roseanne, in her familiar way, constantly cracks jokes.  They family is at the pinnacle of excitement and worry, when Jackie busts through the front door exclaiming " it's headed this way!" Roseanne and Jackie hug frantically, Crystal screams,  the lights go out and the scene fades to black. Cut to commercial. This is a great example of creating excitement just before the commercial, in order to let the audience become worried and engaged about the Conner family. They don't know if a tornado will come and blow their house down, they are panicking, and then commercial. The audience will have to wait out the commercial to see the fate of the family. The viewers are hooked, the mission has been accomplished.

To view this part of the show, see the clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmLNJnTBInI

Roseanne picture from: http://guesswhosjewish.com/b.htm