The transitions between acts as they appear in a quad can be seen as either "straight" or "diagonal."

"Straight" transitions:

 

   

"Diagonal" transitions:

   

BUMP AND SLIDE

When we look at the straight and diagonal transitions in terms of the dynamic pairs in a quad, we begin to get a "feel" for how smooth or jarring the transition might be.

As was mentioned earlier, the components of a dynamic pair are designed as two ends of a spectrum. The nature of the spectrum is quad content specific. The components of the co-dynamic pair represent a related but different spectrum. Because of this difference, transitioning from a component in one dynamic pair to a component of the co-dynamic pair is more noticeable than transitioning between two components within a dynamic pair.

Straight transitions, which move from a component of one dynamic pair to a component of the co-dynamic pair, are relatively noticeable. We describe this transition as a "bump."

Diagonal transitions, which move from one component of a dynamic pair to the other, are relatively smooth. We describe this transition as a "slide."

ACT PATTERNS

When we look at the 1-2-3-4 patterns in terms of their spatial arrangements in a quad, they fall into three distinct patterns: Z's, Hairpins, and U-Turns.

Z-PATTERNS: BUMP-SLIDE-BUMP

A Z-pattern is created when the transition between act 1 and 2 is a BUMP, the transition between act 2 and 3 is a SLIDE, and the transition between act 3 and 4 is a BUMP. Here are some examples of the Z-pattern in various orientations:

Example Z-Pattern Act Transitions:

BUMP--SLIDE--BUMP

The four-act, Z-pattern structure most closely matches the screenplay/story structure put forward by Syd Field. In his earlier descriptions, he identified a three act structure consisting of an Act 1, a long Act 2 (the slide), and the final Act 3. In a later, modified description of the screenplay act structure, he split the long Act 2 into two parts, thereby more accurately describing the four-act Z-pattern Dramatica structure. This is a popular act progression for modern, American-style, motion picture screenplays.

Four-Act Z-Pattern Structure

HAIRPIN or "X" PATTERNS: SLIDE-BUMP-SLIDE

A Hairpin or X-pattern is created when the transition between act 1 and 2 is a SLIDE, the transition between act 2 and 3 is a BUMP, and the transition between act 3 and 4 is a SLIDE. Here are some examples of the Hairpin pattern in various orientations:

     

Example Hairpin "X" Pattern Act Transitions:

SLIDE--BUMP--SLIDE

The four-act, hairpin x-pattern structure most closely matches the typical rise and fall story pattern. The first half of the story moves along somewhat smoothly, then there is a noticeable change in the story flow (what we refer to as a "hiccup") and the story goes on in a completely different direction.

Four-Act Hairpin "X" Pattern Structure

U-TURN PATTERNS: BUMP-BUMP-BUMP

A U-Turn pattern is created when the transition between act 1 and 2 is a BUMP, the transition between act 2 and 3 is a BUMP, and the transition between act 3 and act 4 is a BUMP. Here are some examples of the U-Turn pattern in various orientations:

     

Example U-Turn Pattern Act Transitions:

BUMP--BUMP--BUMP

The four-act, U-turn pattern structure most closely matches stories that have an episodic feel to them, such as road stories. Each act transition is pronounced which makes the separation of each act noticeable, emphasizing the segmented nature of the story.

Four-Act U-Turn Pattern Structure