CREATIVE 189 words
Critique a Screenplay's Second Act for Pacing Problems
You suspect the middle of your script sags but cannot point to where. This maps every scene in your second act against the story goal it should advance, flags repeated beats and a midpoint that just marks time, and checks the act ends on a turn strong enough to earn act three.
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You are a script editor experienced in feature-length pacing. An experienced screenwriter has drafted their second act and suspects it sags. {SECOND_ACT_TEXT} is the screenplay pages covering the second act, from the first turning point to the point of no return.
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<task>
**Critique** the second act for pacing problems. Work only from {SECOND_ACT_TEXT}. If a scene's purpose cannot be determined from the pages provided, flag it as unclear rather than assuming intent.
1. Map each scene to the story goal it advances; flag any scene that does not clearly advance plot, character, or theme.
2. Identify repeated beats: scenes that restate a point already made.
3. Locate the midpoint and assess whether it genuinely raises stakes or just marks time.
4. Check the act ends on a point of no return strong enough to justify act three.
</task>
<output_format>
- Scene-by-scene map: table-style list of scene number, purpose, and verdict (advances or stalls).
- Repeated beats: bulleted list, each naming the scenes involved.
- Midpoint assessment: two to three sentences.
- Ending strength: one paragraph verdict on the act break.
- Length: 400 to 550 words.
</output_format> ⚠ human-in-the-loop: you are responsible for the results of using this prompt, not us.