Story Development: Three Act Structure...

The 'Three-act structure' is a modern theory that is used in writing stories that can be applied to novels, films, plays and television programmes. It divides the screenplay into three parts, the 'Set-up', 'Confrontation', and 'Resolution'. 
In other words, we are introduced to  the characters and the storyline, there is a crisis that hits them, then the crisis is resolved. 
In order to be able to fully understand the Three-act structure, I have applied the theory to a recent film called 'Friends with Benefits'. This film was realised in July 2011 and is an American romantic comedy. It can be argued that "rom-com's" as they are known, have always been a great example of the Three-act structure because each film is quite similar in their plots. I will identify each act in the film and explain how it is successful and why it is used.
The first act, the 'Set-up' is used to introduce and establish the main characters and the situations they are living in. We are introduced to Jamie and Dylan, both have similar outlooks on life and both have just come out of relationships. After Jamie recruits Dylan to her magazine company, they become good friends and come to the conclusion that sex should not come with so many attachments. In this decision, they then agree to have a 'no strings attached' relationship. This signifies the on-screen incident that confronts both main characters. After this decision, Jamie and Dylan start to develop emotional feelings for each other after sharing a intimate night together whilst visiting Dylan's family. 
This decision to do this relates to the previous confrontation of their break-up with other people, and is known as the 'inciting incident/the first turning point'. This acts as a catalyst for the story, signifies the end of the first act and the beginning of the 'Confrontation'.
The second act shows the protagonist's attempt to resolve the problem, only to find themselves making the situation worse. We see these actions in Dylan, he attempts to ignore his developing feelings for Jamie and she overhears him indicating he has no feelings towards her, in which she is hurt. The reason the protagonist cannot resolve the problems that face him is because he or she needs to develop a self-awareness of who they are. We see the character grow and develop, in which co-protagonist's and mentors are there to help such growth. Dylan is mentored by his alzhiemer's stricken father on what is important in life and he then accepts his true feelings towards Jamie.
 The third and final act of this three-part structure, the 'Resolution', is where all the main questions and   dramatic incidents are answered. Jamie and Dylan come face-to-face, known as 'The Climax' or 'The second turning point' and is the scene where all the tensions of  the story are brought to a head. With his new found self-awareness, Dylan romantically apologises to Jamie with several gestures that are personal to her, he confesses his feelings and she forgives him. Their problems are resolved, and the characters return to their equilibrium that they were previously in in the first act.