--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's this inherent screenplay…" description: "\"There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn't really interest me. To me, it's kind of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/charlie-kaufman-2409_always_there-s-this-inherent-screenplay-structu_759832.jpg" --- # There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone… ![“There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn't really interest me. To me, it's kind of like saying, 'Well, when you do a painting, you always need to have sky here, the person here and the ground here.' Well, you don't.” quote by Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/charlie-kaufman-2409_always_there-s-this-inherent-screenplay-structu_759832.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/charlie-kaufman-2409_always_there-s-this-inherent-screenplay-structu_759832.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/992/charlie-kaufman-2409_always_there-s-this-inherent-screenplay-structu_759832.jpg) > “There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn't really interest me. To me, it's kind of like saying, 'Well, when you do a painting, you always need to have sky here, the person here and the ground here.' Well, you don't.” [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He critiques the rigid three‑act formula, urging creators to ignore preset structures and follow organic storytelling. **In simple terms:** Don't force a formula; let stories flow naturally. Key Takeaway Embrace flexible narrative structures. Themes creativity storytelling structure innovation freedom Mood reflective critical Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - Screenwriting - novel writing - film directing - theatre production Key Concepts Narrative theory artistic autonomy Questions to Reflect On - How can you break conventional structures in your work? - What benefits arise from spontaneous storytelling? A Different Perspective Rigid structures can limit originality and audience surprise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-thing-1811101/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Everyone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everyone/) [Ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ground/) [Here](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/here/) [Inherent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent/) [Inherent Screenplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inherent-screenplay-5895249/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying/) [Screenplay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplay/) [Screenplay Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/screenplay-structure-3112684/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Stuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuck/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Well](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [You're trying to create a screenplay and your screenplay is there to give you a structure, rigidity, situational awareness, who the characters are, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-greengrass/you-re-trying-to-create-a-screenplay-and-your-screenplay-is-there-to/) [Paul Greengrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-greengrass/) > [If I'm feeling something, I have a lot of different ways to express it, you know? I can write an article about it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-radnor/if-i-m-feeling-something-i-have-a-lot-of-different-ways-to-express-it/) [Josh Radnor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-radnor/) > [It was such a paradox for me that the only thing I know how to do is act, but that the first thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-dallas-howard/it-was-such-a-paradox-for-me-that-the-only-thing-i-know-how-to-do-is/) [Bryce Dallas Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-dallas-howard/) > [All I knew how to do was to act. That's the only thing I had in my favor. That was the thing that propelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-lansbury/all-i-knew-how-to-do-was-to-act-that-s-the-only-thing-i-had-in-my/) [Angela Lansbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-lansbury/) > [And if there is no god? You act as if there is, and it's the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/and-if-there-is-no-god-you-act-as-if-there-is-and-it-s-the-same-thing/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [“KAUFMAN Sir, what if a writer is attempting to create a story where nothing much happens, where people don't change, they don't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/kaufman-sir-what-if-a-writer-is-attempting-to-create-a-story-where/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [The way I write is very much without kind of a goal. I have something I'm interested in and then I decide I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/the-way-i-write-is-very-much-without-kind-of-a-goal-i-have-something/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I never could have written the screenplay because I would have been forced to learn new software and I can't learn one more thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-never-could-have-written-the-screenplay-because-i-would-have-been/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [A screenplay is really an instruction manual, and it can be interpreted in any number of ways. The casting, the choice of location, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/a-screenplay-is-really-an-instruction-manual-and-it-can-be/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [I don't generate a storyline and then fill it out in the course of writing. The story actually generates in the course of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/i-don-t-generate-a-storyline-and-then-fill-it-out-in-the-course-of/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/i-put-no-stock-in-religion-by-the-word-religion-i-have-seen-the/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [All drama is conflict. Without conflict, there is no action. Without action, there is no character. Without character, there is no story. And without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd-field/all-drama-is-conflict-without-conflict-there-is-no-action-without/) [Syd Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd-field/) > [During script narrations, if I feel the screenplay mood jumping abruptly, I tell the director, and they work on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-sethupathi/during-script-narrations-if-i-feel-the-screenplay-mood-jumping/) [Vijay Sethupathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-sethupathi/) > [I'm a film guy. I love it. When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) [Deon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-taylor/) > [If I could find the right kind of property, get tied in with the right movie, I'd love to be involved, but I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-yankovic/if-i-could-find-the-right-kind-of-property-get-tied-in-with-the-right/) [Al Yankovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-yankovic/) ## More by Charlie Kaufman > [I think if something resonates, even if it's surreal, it's because it is relatable and I think that that's a core issue for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-if-something-resonates-even-if-it-s-surreal-it-s-because-it/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [And then to see the whole movie, you're pretty much waiting until the end of production. And the major lifting in terms of editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/and-then-to-see-the-whole-movie-you-re-pretty-much-waiting-until-the/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Seriously, I don't consider myself a writer. I don't think I have writing talent. But I will continue to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/seriously-i-don-t-consider-myself-a-writer-i-don-t-think-i-have/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I spend a lot of time in preproduction working with authors, and a lot of time in postproduction.: editing, music, all that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-preproduction-working-with-authors-and-a-lot/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [There's a point I can get to where I start writing character and then through the dialogue, after all of this preparation, the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/there-s-a-point-i-can-get-to-where-i-start-writing-character-and-then/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Sand is overrated. It's just tiny little rocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/sand-is-overrated-it-s-just-tiny-little-rocks/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Directing is a more pragmatic experience, where you have to deal with the restrictions of time and money that force you to make certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/directing-is-a-more-pragmatic-experience-where-you-have-to-deal-with/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I feel like I want to keep moving toward idiosyncracy. Personal, personal, personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-feel-like-i-want-to-keep-moving-toward-idiosyncracy-personal/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I actually think I'm probably more interested in structure than most people who write screenplays, because I think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-actually-think-i-m-probably-more-interested-in-structure-than-most/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [Yeah, once we decided to use that replacement animation, and the seams are a function of that animation, and other movies paint those out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/yeah-once-we-decided-to-use-that-replacement-animation-and-the-seams/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I just try to be honest, because I think that's part of my job description as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-just-try-to-be-honest-because-i-think-that-s-part-of-my-job/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I love working with actors. I love visual things. I always intended to be a writer who directs and a director who writes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-love-working-with-actors-i-love-visual-things-i-always-intended-to/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [“Why didn't I go in? I'm such a chicken. I'm such an idiot. I should have kissed her. I've blown it. I should just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/why-didn-t-i-go-in-i-m-such-a-chicken-i-m-such-an-idiot-i-should-have/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I try when I'm writing to leave enough "space" for people to have their own interpretation, and not to direct it toward one conclusion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-try-when-i-m-writing-to-leave-enough-space-for-people-to-have-their/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) > [I don't have a style. I wouldn't say I have a style as a writer, either. I know people have said "This is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-don-t-have-a-style-i-wouldn-t-say-i-have-a-style-as-a-writer-either/) [Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) [Explore all 168 Charlie Kaufman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. 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