The Call To Action

Following the Initiating Incident, there will be a period of time during which the characters, especially the main character, need to orient themselves in light of the information presented to them by the initiating event. Here they will question and explore. Their world and their place in it are shown, and often, a reason is given as to why the main character doesn’t quite fit into that world.

The Initiating Incident has a special resonance for the main character, although they may not yet realize it, because the Initiating Incident signals to them that a fundamental shift has taken place in their lives, and that new, major change is in the wind. Where this shift is keenly felt and realized by the main character comes at the Call To Action.

The Call To Action is like the horn blown to signal the beginning of the hunt. The main character, depending on their goals and temperament, may or may not respond. Dramatically, it is often better to either have the character refuse to join the action (due to internal conflict), or be prevented from joining (due to external conflict). Time-wise, the Call To Action typically takes place between pages 15 and 20 of a screenplay.

Here are some examples of Calls To Action in same three films as cited before, and the main character’s reactions to them:

"Alien"
Call: The crew lands on the planet, only to find a wrecked alien spacecraft.
Response: The crew expores the derelict craft, finding alien eggs kept in storage.

"Clockwork Orange"
Call: Asserting himself to Alex, Georgie proposes that the gang should pull a real heist.
Response: In sharp refusal of their plan, Alex attacks Georgie and Dim to show them who's boss.

"Jerry Maguire"
Call: Jerry puts the Mission Statement in the mailbox of everyone at the agency, but has second thoughts.
Response: The Mission statement is publicily lauded; privately, all at the agency think Jerry is doomed.

"Star Wars"
Call: Luke sees Leia’s holographic cry for help.
Response: When asked by Ben Kenobi to join a rescue attempt, Luke refuses.

Following the Call, a period of reflection takes place, in which the characters absorb the implications of the Call, and/or of their refusal or inability to act upon it. During this brief moment, events transpire to drag the character into the thick of the conflict. Often it happens that the enemy (who already know what they want!) have regrouped and make their move.

The Commitment To Act

"Alien"
Situation: An alien larva attaches itself to crew-member Kane's face.
Commitment: Ripley refuses to let the crew bring Kane aboard, citing contamination procedures. (Note this late use of her refusal of the Call). She is overidden by science officer Ash, who lets the crew and larva inside.

"Clockwork Orange"
Situation: During the heist, Alex kills a woman, then Dim smashes his face with a bottle, leaving him helpless as police arrive.
Commitment: Alex goes to prison.

"Jerry Maguire"
Situation: Jerry is fired by his former pupil, Bob Sugar.
Commitment: Jerry vows to steal all of Bob's clients away from the agency and go into business for himself.

"Star Wars"
Situation: Luke finds his Uncle and Aunt dead, killed by Imperial Stormtroopers.
Commitment: Luke no longer has a reason to stay on Tatooine, and he wholeheartedly decides to join Ben Kenobi on his rescue mission.

Next time you watch a film, try and pinpoint these first act structural elements. Seeing how they are applied will increase your own understanding of how to use them in your own screenwriting work.