THE APPLICATION OF THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE IN SCREENPLAY WRITING: A CASE STUDY OF “JEJAK TANPA ARAH”

Abstract

The screenplay Jejak Tanpa Arah is inspired by the social phenomenon of emotional neglect within families, an issue still commonly experienced by children and one that results in psychological impacts such as loneliness, loss of direction, and the search for identity. Through the main character, Laras, the story demonstrates how experiences of emotional neglect from childhood shape inner conflict, motivation, and life choices. Cinematically, the screenplay is structured into three acts comprising 90 scenes, emphasizing characterization, conflict development, and the use of mise-en-scène to reinforce the atmosphere of loneliness and emotional distance. Thus, the screenplay not only represents a social issue but also serves as a practical study of how psychological themes can be translated into the technical elements of screenplay writing, including plot, scenes, and visual storytelling.