The 3-Act Paradigm at Work: Frankenweenie

written by Lenny Ripps


Frankenweenie is a 30-minute gem of a movie, perfect for studying over and over again for its clear structure and crisp, efficient storytelling.

Structural Analysis

  1. Hook (0 min.)
    • A family watches a home movie made by a boy, Victor, which stars his dog Sparky, dressed up as a monster.
  2. Complication (1 min.)
    • While fetching a ball, Sparky gets run over and dies.
  3. Call to Action (5 min.)
    • In science class, Victor learns that electricity can bring dead animals back to life. He is going to go for it with Sparky.
  4. Act One Plot Point (11 min.)
    • Victor performs a "Frankenstein" experiment and brings Sparky back to life.
  5. Midpoint Plot Point (15 min.)
    • Sparky gets out of the house and terrorizes the neighborhood.
  6. Act Two Plot Point (23-4 min.)
    • Chased by the neighbors, Sparky is trapped in a burning building and dies again.
  7. Climax and Resolution (25-6 min.)
    • Since Sparky saved Victor's life before he died, the neighbors pitch in with a new experiment and Sparky returns to life once again - and quickly falls in love with a poodle (and sparks fly).

Sequence or "Theme" Outline

Here is a sequence outline of the story:

  1. A Boy and his Dog (steps 1-2 below)
  2. Sparky dies (3)
  3. Victor grieves (4-5)
  4. Getting an idea (6)
  5. Preparing for the experiment (7-10)
  6. Digging up Sparky (11-12)
  7. Performing the experiment (13-14)
  8. A Boy and his Dog II (15-17)
  9. Sparky escapes and terrorizes the neighborhood (18-19)
  10. Parents learn the truth (20-26)
  11. The neighborhood meeting to meet Sparky (27-29)
  12. Neighbors panic (30-31)
  13. Chasing Sparky (32-39)
  14. The fire and Sparky's second death(40-43)
  15. Sparky's second resurrection (44-48)

Step Outline

  1. Showing home movies of boy and dog
  2. Victor plays with Sparky
  3. Sparky gets run over
  4. Family at pet cemetery
  5. Victor grieves
  6. Victor gets idea in science class
  7. Runs home to begin plan
  8. Studies books on electricity
  9. Gathers material
  10. Sets up experiment
  11. Tries to fake out folks
  12. Digs up Sparky
  13. Does the experiment
  14. Sparky comes back to life
  15. Pretends to be sick, doesn't work
  16. Skips school anyway
  17. Feeds Sparky
  18. Sparky gets out of house
  19. Dog terrorizes neighbors
  20. Parents deny Sparky is alive
  21. Father learns the truth
  22. Father lies to neighbors
  23. Parents confront Victor
  24. Victor explains what happened
  25. Neighbors cold shoulder father
  26. Rumors grow
  27. Idea to call meeting
  28. Neighbors meet at family home
  29. Sewing up Sparky for meeting
  30. Sparky's entrance causes panic
  31. Chaos
  32. Sparky gets away
  33. Parents look for Victor
  34. Neighbors chase the dog
  35. The chase
  36. Sparky, with Victor following, reaches windmill at amusement center or park
  37. Parents arrive
  38. Neighbors arrive
  39. Victor and Sparky trapped in windmill
  40. Building set fire
  41. Victor passes out
  42. Sparky rescues Victor
  43. Building collapses on Sparky, second death
  44. Neighbors volunteer their cars on second experiment
  45. Engines started
  46. Doesn't look good
  47. Sparky comes back to life
  48. Sparky meets poodle, love at first spark


MODULE 4: SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting

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