K.M. Weiland Interview — Breaking Down the Jurassic Park Screenplay

K.M. Weiland Interview — writer and story expert K.M. Weiland breaks down Jurassic Park and how it masterfully executes the three-act structure.

What is the Three Act Structure? ►► https://bit.ly/wi-3a
StudioBinder Blog ►► http://bit.ly/sb-bl

K.M. Weiland resources:
Helping Writers Become Authors (Blog) ►► https://bit.ly/km-bl
K.M Weiland (YouTube) ►► https://bit.ly/km-yo
Structuring Your Novel (Book) ►► https://bit.ly/km-sn
Writing Archetypal Character Arcs (New Book) ►► https://bit.ly/km-ac

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K.M. WEILAND INTERVIEW — JURASSIC PARK & THREE-ACT STRUCTURE

Jurassic Park is a beloved film, but what if the appeal wasn’t just the awe-inspiring dinosaurs or that stirring John Williams score? One of the unsung heroes of Spielberg’s masterpiece can be found in the structure of the film itself. According to K.M. Weiland, David Koepp’s screenplay adaptation of Michael Crichton’s book is brilliantly structured and has an ideal balance between plot and character. In this full-length interview, K.M. Weiland lays out the form and function of the three-act structure and how Jurassic Park checks all the boxes.

EIGHT PARTS OF THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE

As Weiland explains, the three-act structure can be subdivided into eight major story beats. The first is the hook, designed to grab the audience’s attention, giving them sufficient reason to remain invested in the story. In Jurassic Park, this is the opening scene where the mysterious cargo is delivered to the park…with deadly consequences.

Then comes the inciting event, the call to adventure that will carry the remainder of the story. For Allen and Ellie, this is when John Hammond interrupts their archeological dig with a request to visit and assess his park.

Next is the first plot point, the point of no return, when the character finally sets off on their quest. When they arrive on Isla Nublar, our protagonists behold a sight they could have never imagined — dinosaurs in the flesh.

The first pinch point is the first of many obstacles along the way, usually dedicated to establishing the antagonistic force. In Jurassic Park, this occurs as the incoming storm interrupts the tour, separating Allan and Ellie.

The second plot point, otherwise known as the midpoint, comes halfway through the story and usually resets the entire story in some way. The storm has cut the power, the jeeps are stranded, and a T-Rex breaks out. Jurassic Park’s midpoint is a fantastic example of how to shift a story completely.

Following this is the second pinch point, where stakes are raised, and the third act is foreshadowed. Dennis Nedry, a minor antagonist, has crippled Hammond’s ability to make the park secure. And Nedry’s death significantly diminishes their chances of success.

As K.M. Weiland explains, the third plot point is a false victory followed by a major low point. Ellie is able to restore power to Jurassic Park, but Muldoon and Arnold are killed, and the raptors now enter the fray.

Lastly is the climax, the culmination of the entire story. This might be an extended sequence filled with action or emotional conflict, but it all leads to what Weiland describes as the climactic moment — when success or failure brings the story to its conclusion.

When you lay out the three-act structure of Jurassic Park like this, it is clear that there is a constant progression of events; the stakes are established and then raised, all building to what ends as a thrilling cinematic experience.


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