Having survived the perilous trial of the Dunes, the Acolyte now stands within the entrance of a seemingly endless cavern containing a wet and festering Bog. Through uncounted holes in the cavern ceiling silvery shafts of moonlight illuminate the hardy vegetation and pools of burbling muck. The stench of an Eon of decay assails the Acolyte's every sense yet there is the unmistakable line of a massive circle just beyond the entrance. Steadfastly, the Acolyte steps into the circle but this time no foe immediately appears while only the sounds of squishing mud and burping noxious gas are the only signs of activity.
Well, you've made it to Act II and now you face your toughest opponent so far, 'The Middle of the Story'. The Middle of any script is always the longest part and just like that underground bog example, it's an unfamiliar, dark and treacherous landscape. However, as in the example there are points of 'light' overhead to help you find your way through. They emanate from your Treatment and Log-Line.
In Act II you'll flesh out your main characters particularly your (protagonist, antagonist and love interest if you have one.) Also early in Act II will be your last opportunity to introduce characters who will be allies or antagonists in support of your Hero or Villain. Act II is where you will now 'tell your story' and just like in Act I, Act II must have a beginning, middle and end. The good news is; long as you established your story arc when you encountered Plot Point 1, in the Second Act you're simply filling in the details of PP1 not trying to make it all up from scratch.
Whenever you get into trouble, just whip out your Treatment to stay connected with the flow of your story. What makes this part of writing your script so difficult is 'the terrain' and its ability to cause you to 'lose your way' or focus. If you look closely around you, that 'decay' you smell comes from all of the scriptwriter's before you who got sidetracked, distracted or simply grew frustrated and never made it out of Act II. Don't let that happen to you!
Fortunately, if you wrote a solid Treatment you already have a 'map' on how to navigate through Act II. But..., when you come towards the end, your 'second opponent' will show herself! Rising out of muck covered in the rotting skins of the uncounted failed scriptwriters before you is 'Plot Point 2'! The Second Plot Point comes after the conclusion of PP1. PP2 is the 'Holy Shit! We're gonna' need a bigger boat!' moment when your protagonist(s) complete their initial task and realize the bigger issue to be tackled.
PP2 in my opinion is what makes or breaks a good script. You can have a great story going all the way up to this point but if you don't have that moment when the real 'shit' is 'bout to jump off' you've wasted the script reader's/audience's time and they'll probably walk out. So when you see PP2 pull out her twin Scythes made from the bones of your predecessors, she means to add your 'skin' to her very, very long dress! Just remember, you've already got her number if you wrote a solid Treatment and Log-Line. When you've completed ACT II, you'll be ready to move onto the 'Final Act' and two terrible opponents in ACT III! Good luck!
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