1.3 Inciting incident

The inciting incident is a pivotal moment in storytelling that kickstarts the protagonist's journey. It disrupts the status quo, forcing the main character to confront a new reality and make choices that will shape the narrative.

Typically occurring around 10-15 minutes into a film, the inciting incident bridges the first and second acts. It introduces the central conflict, raises dramatic questions, and establishes the protagonist's goal, setting the stage for an exciting adventure ahead.

Inciting incident definition

• The inciting incident is a crucial moment in a story that sets the narrative in motion and propels the protagonist into the main conflict
• Serves as the catalyst for change, disrupting the status quo and forcing the protagonist to take action
• Presents a call to action for the protagonist, challenging them to make a choice that will have significant consequences

Catalyst for change

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• The inciting incident introduces a significant change or shift in the protagonist's life, forcing them to confront a new reality
• Can be a positive or negative event, but always requires the protagonist to adapt and make decisions
• Often presents a problem or opportunity that the protagonist cannot ignore, compelling them to take action

Disruption of status quo

• The inciting incident upends the protagonist's ordinary world, introducing a new set of circumstances or challenges
• Disrupts the equilibrium of the story, creating instability and uncertainty for the characters
• Forces the protagonist to confront their fears, flaws, or desires, setting the stage for personal growth and transformation

Protagonist's call to action

• The inciting incident presents a clear call to action for the protagonist, requiring them to make a choice or take a stand
• Can be an explicit request or challenge, or an implicit need to address a problem or pursue an opportunity
• Sets the protagonist on a new path, often requiring them to leave their comfort zone and embark on a journey of self-discovery

Inciting incident placement

• The inciting incident typically occurs at the end of the first act, after the story has established the protagonist's ordinary world and before the main conflict begins
• In a feature-length film, the inciting incident usually takes place around 10-15 minutes into the story, allowing time for character introduction and world-building
• Positioned after the story has established the status quo, the inciting incident marks a clear turning point in the narrative

End of first act

• The inciting incident serves as a bridge between the first and second acts, propelling the story forward and introducing the central conflict
• Marks the end of the setup phase and the beginning of the protagonist's journey, signaling a shift in the story's direction
• Provides a clear demarcation between the ordinary world and the new reality the protagonist must navigate

10-15 minutes into film

• In a typical feature-length film, the inciting incident occurs approximately 10-15 minutes into the story
• Allows sufficient time to introduce the protagonist, establish their world, and create a sense of empathy or connection with the audience
• Ensures that the story maintains a proper pace and structure, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the protagonist's journey

After establishing ordinary world

• The inciting incident occurs after the story has established the protagonist's ordinary world, providing a baseline for the character's life and circumstances
• Allows the audience to understand the protagonist's status quo, creating a sense of familiarity and relatability
• Provides context for the inciting incident, making its impact more significant and resonant for the audience

Inciting incident examples

• The inciting incident can take many forms, depending on the story's genre, tone, and themes
• Often involves a significant event or discovery that forces the protagonist to confront a new reality or challenge
• Can be a positive or negative occurrence, but always serves as a catalyst for change and a call to action

Receiving a letter or phone call

• The protagonist receives a letter or phone call that delivers unexpected news or a mysterious message (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
• Can introduce a new opportunity, reveal a secret, or present a problem that the protagonist must address
• Serves as a clear and tangible inciting incident, providing a physical object or moment that sets the story in motion

Unexpected visitor or encounter

• The protagonist encounters an unexpected visitor or has a chance meeting that alters the course of their life (The Wizard of Oz)
• Can introduce a new character who serves as a mentor, ally, or antagonist, challenging the protagonist's worldview or goals
• Provides an opportunity for the protagonist to interact with someone outside their ordinary world, sparking curiosity or conflict

Discovering a secret or mystery

• The protagonist stumbles upon a secret or mystery that compels them to investigate further (The Da Vinci Code)
• Can involve uncovering a hidden truth, exposing a conspiracy, or solving a puzzle that has significant implications
• Introduces an element of intrigue or suspense, drawing the protagonist deeper into the story's central conflict

Experiencing a loss or tragedy

• The protagonist experiences a profound loss or tragedy that forces them to confront their grief and take action (Finding Nemo)
• Can involve the death of a loved one, a personal setback, or a societal crisis that demands the protagonist's attention
• Provides a strong emotional motivation for the protagonist, creating a sense of urgency and stakes in their journey

Inciting incident functions

• The inciting incident serves several key functions in a story, setting the stage for the protagonist's journey and the narrative's central conflict
• Introduces the main problem or opportunity that the protagonist must confront, establishing the story's primary focus
• Raises dramatic questions and creates a sense of anticipation for the audience, encouraging them to invest in the protagonist's journey

Introduces central conflict

• The inciting incident introduces the story's central conflict, presenting the primary obstacle or challenge that the protagonist must overcome
• Can be an external conflict (person vs. person, person vs. nature, person vs. society) or an internal conflict (person vs. self)
• Sets the stage for the protagonist's journey, establishing the stakes and the consequences of their actions

Sets plot into motion

• The inciting incident propels the plot forward, initiating a chain of events that will lead to the story's climax and resolution
• Marks a clear turning point in the narrative, signaling a shift from the ordinary world to the new reality the protagonist must navigate
• Creates a sense of momentum and urgency, compelling the protagonist to take action and confront the central conflict

Raises dramatic question

• The inciting incident raises a dramatic question that the story will seek to answer, creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity for the audience
• Can be a question of whether the protagonist will achieve their goal, overcome a challenge, or discover a truth
• Encourages the audience to invest emotionally in the protagonist's journey, rooting for their success and fearing their failure

Establishes protagonist's goal

• The inciting incident often establishes the protagonist's primary goal or objective, providing a clear direction for their journey
• Can be a personal desire, a societal need, or a moral imperative that the protagonist feels compelled to pursue
• Sets the stage for the protagonist's character arc, as they strive to achieve their goal and confront their own flaws and limitations

Inciting incident vs catalyst

• While the inciting incident and catalyst are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two concepts
• The catalyst is a precursor event that sets the stage for the inciting incident, while the inciting incident is the moment that propels the protagonist into the main conflict
• The catalyst can occur off-screen or before the story begins, while the inciting incident is a clear and tangible moment within the narrative

Catalyst as precursor event

• The catalyst is an event or circumstance that sets the stage for the inciting incident, creating the conditions necessary for the story to unfold
• Can be a background event, a character's backstory, or a societal issue that provides context for the protagonist's journey
• Often occurs before the story begins or is revealed through exposition, rather than being a clear and tangible moment within the narrative

Inciting incident as point of no return

• The inciting incident is the moment that propels the protagonist into the main conflict, marking a point of no return in their journey
• Forces the protagonist to make a choice or take action that will have significant consequences, setting the stage for the rest of the story
• Is a clear and tangible moment within the narrative, often occurring on-screen and serving as a turning point in the plot

Catalyst can occur off-screen

• The catalyst can occur off-screen or before the story begins, providing background information or context for the protagonist's journey
• Can be revealed through dialogue, flashbacks, or other expository techniques, rather than being a clear and tangible moment within the narrative
• Allows the story to focus on the inciting incident and its aftermath, without spending too much time on the precursor events

Crafting effective inciting incidents

• Creating an effective inciting incident requires careful consideration of the protagonist's character, the story's themes, and the desired emotional impact on the audience
• Should challenge the protagonist's worldview, introduce high stakes and urgency, and connect to their flaws or desires
• Must promise an exciting journey ahead, hinting at the challenges and opportunities that the protagonist will face in the story

Challenging protagonist's worldview

• An effective inciting incident challenges the protagonist's established beliefs, assumptions, or way of life, forcing them to confront a new reality
• Can introduce a moral dilemma, a personal crisis, or a societal issue that the protagonist must grapple with
• Encourages the protagonist to question their values and make difficult choices, setting the stage for personal growth and transformation

Introducing high stakes and urgency

• An effective inciting incident introduces high stakes and a sense of urgency, creating a compelling reason for the protagonist to take action
• Can involve a ticking clock, a looming threat, or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the protagonist cannot ignore
• Raises the emotional and narrative stakes for the protagonist, making their journey feel more significant and consequential

Connecting to protagonist's flaw or desire

• An effective inciting incident often connects to the protagonist's central flaw or deepest desire, providing a personal motivation for their journey
• Can expose a weakness or vulnerability that the protagonist must confront, or offer a chance to fulfill a long-held dream or ambition
• Allows the audience to empathize with the protagonist and understand their choices, even if they are flawed or misguided

Promising an exciting journey ahead

• An effective inciting incident promises an exciting and unpredictable journey ahead, hinting at the challenges and opportunities that the protagonist will face
• Can introduce a mysterious or intriguing element that will be explored throughout the story, or suggest a significant transformation for the protagonist
• Encourages the audience to invest in the story and anticipate the twists and turns that will follow, creating a sense of excitement and engagement

Inciting incident in different genres

• The inciting incident can take different forms and serve different functions depending on the story's genre and narrative conventions
• In the hero's journey, the inciting incident often takes the form of a call to adventure, inviting the protagonist to leave their ordinary world and embark on a quest
• In romantic comedies, the inciting incident often involves the protagonist meeting their love interest, setting the stage for their relationship to develop

Call to adventure in hero's journey

• In the hero's journey, the inciting incident often takes the form of a call to adventure, inviting the protagonist to leave their ordinary world and embark on a quest
• Can be a literal call to action from a mentor or a figurative call in the form of a crisis or opportunity that the protagonist cannot ignore (The Lord of the Rings)
• Sets the stage for the protagonist's transformation from an ordinary person to a hero, as they face challenges and overcome obstacles on their journey

Meeting romantic interest in love stories

• In romantic comedies and love stories, the inciting incident often involves the protagonist meeting their romantic interest for the first time
• Can be a chance encounter, a blind date, or a workplace interaction that sparks an immediate connection or conflict between the characters (When Harry Met Sally)
• Sets the stage for the development of the romantic relationship, as the characters navigate their feelings and overcome obstacles to be together

Discovery of crime in mysteries

• In mystery and crime stories, the inciting incident often involves the discovery of a crime or the introduction of a puzzling case that the protagonist must solve
• Can be a murder, a disappearance, or a theft that sets the detective or investigator on a path to uncover the truth (The Maltese Falcon)
• Introduces the central mystery or problem that will drive the story, as the protagonist gathers clues and confronts suspects to reach a resolution

Arrival at new world in fish-out-of-water tales

• In fish-out-of-water stories, the inciting incident often involves the protagonist arriving in a new and unfamiliar world, forcing them to adapt and navigate a different set of rules and customs
• Can be a literal journey to a foreign country, a new school, or a different time period, or a figurative journey into a new social circle or career (The Devil Wears Prada)
• Sets the stage for the protagonist's personal growth and transformation, as they learn to thrive in their new environment and overcome their initial discomfort or resistance