Nollywood and the curse of the "3rd ACT"

Ever watched a Nollywood movie and are enjoying it so far but soon find yourself asking questions about why what is happening is going on or you end up telling your friend how you lost interest or something close to that?

From my observation, they all are suffering from the curse of the 3rd act.

For obvious reasons, I will not give examples of any Nollywood movies but do feel free to evaluate the movies you have seen with these points as I guarantee there are lots of them.

When it comes to filmmaking, the third act is often considered the make or break point of a movie. This is the point in the story where everything comes together and the audience is left with a sense of closure and resolution. However, when a movie doesn't have a strong or even a present third act, it can spell disaster for the film as a whole.

There are two people in filmmaking I believe are critical to this…

One of the biggest dangers of a weak or non-existent third act is that it can leave the audience feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. After investing time and energy into the story and characters, viewers want to see a resolution that ties everything together. Without a solid third act, the movie can feel like it's just diminishing, leaving the audience with more questions than answers.

Another danger is that a weak third act can disrupt the pacing of the film. If the first two acts are slow and methodical, building up the tension and conflict, then a weak third act can make the movie feels rushed and underwhelming. This can leave the audience feeling like they're cheated out of the payoff they were promised.

Finally, a weak third act can also make it difficult for the audience to fully understand or appreciate the themes and message of the film. The third act is where the characters are tested, the conflicts are resolved and the moral of the story is revealed. Without a strong third act, the movie can feel incomplete and the audience may not fully grasp the point of the story.

All in all, a weak or non-existent third act can be detrimental to a movie. It can leave the audience feeling unsatisfied, disrupt the pacing, and make it difficult to understand the themes and message of the film. As such, filmmakers should take care to craft a strong and satisfying third act to ensure that their movie is well-received by audiences.

1. Plan: You should map out your story and when you do, let your story ask a question in the first act that the film answers in the 3rd act.?
2. Keep it simple: Avoid convoluted or overly complex plot twists in the third act, as they can confuse the audience and detract from the story's resolution.
3. Consider the audience: Consider what the audience wants to see in the third act and ensure it delivers on their expectations.
4. Make it emotional: The third act should be an emotional climax for the characters and the audience. Use powerful imagery and dialogue to evoke strong emotions in the audience.
5. Keep the pacing consistent: The third act should have a consistent pace that matches the first and second acts, avoiding dragging or rushed feelings.?
6. Tie up loose ends: Make sure all the subplots and character arcs are resolved in the third act, so the audience is not left with unanswered questions.
7. Reinforce the themes: The themes and message of the film should be reinforced in the third act, making it clear to the audience what the film is trying to say.
8. Use symbolism: Use symbolism in the third act to help reinforce the themes and message of the film, making it more memorable for the audience.
9. Watch your tone: make sure you are not all over the place with the rules you have set in your film, the tone is very serious, don't use comedians to break it and if its a film that does not take itself seriously, killing an important character, for instance, may go against the tone you already set.
10. Get a second opinion: Get feedback from other writers or filmmakers, they can give you valuable perspectives and help you identify any weaknesses in the third act.

This does not cover everything a filmmaker needs to know but hopefully, these points will help give more clarity in approaching the beautiful craft of filmmaking.

• DIrectorsolomon. 2023