LESSON 10 – Sequences
STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE
ACTS
SEQUENCE AND PLOT POINTS
Sequence A – Set Up
STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE
Luke lives on Tattooine, whilst Princess Leia sends out robot droid R2D2 with a
plea to be rescued – the droids are nearly captured by the Empire
Luke buys R2D2 and hears the rescue plea
Catalyst
Act 1
Sequence B – Debate
Luke heads to wise old Obi Wan Kenobi, who offers Luke instruction – but Luke
refuses, on account of his Aunt and Uncle – they are killed.
Luke agrees to accompany Obi Wan to join rebels on the planet Alderaan.
Cross the Threshold
Sequence C – New World
Trying to get to Alderaan, Luke and Obi Wan head to spaceport Mos Eisley, where
they convince mercenary Han Solo and Chewbacca to get them off the planet –
but Han owes money to Jabba the Hutt, and the Empire searc for the droids
Escape Tattooine on the Millennium Falcon and head for Alderaan.
Early Gain / Early Setback
Act 2a
Sequence D – Gain
Midpoint
Sequence E – Intensification
Jump into hyperspace, Obi Wan trains Luke in the ways of the force, and they get
closer to the rebel base on Alderaan – but Alderaan is destroyed, meaning their
original plan is thrown into disarray.
Millennium Falcon is sucked into the tractor beam of Darth Vader’s Death Star
spaceship.
Aboard the enemy ship, Princess Leia is set to be killed, but Luke manages to
rescue her in time – though they go through a perilous close call in a trash
compactor.
Finding Princess Leia.
Major Gain / Major Setback
Act 2b
Sequence F – Crisis
Princess Leia and our heroes now need to get off the ship – but are opposed by
stormtroopers and Darth Vader himself – Obi Wan sacrifices himself in
confrontation.
Break into Act Three
Obi Wan dies, but they manage to escape and get the plans to the Death Star to
the rebels.
Sequence G – Sprint
The Death Star is tracking the protagonists to the Rebel base – the rebels plan
their attack, and ready for battle.
One Final Test
Luke and the rebels fly out on the assault mission to take on the Death Star head
on (no more running, proactive attack)
Sequence H - Denouement
The grand assault which sees Darth Vader join the fight, and Luke blow up the
Death Star.
Act 3
Luke is rewarded for his bravery, the rebels celebrate.
Epilogue Ending