What Is an Inciting Incident — And How to Write a Great One

“Let’s get this party started.”

For mainstream filmmaking, story is everything. And every great story needs a spark to ignite the narrative fire. That spark is the inciting incident — the pivotal event that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world and kickstarts their journey.

From Harry Potter receiving his acceptance letter to Hogwarts to Dani’s tragic loss in Midsommar, inciting incidents come in many shapes and sizes. But they all serve the same purpose: to profoundly upset the balance in the main character’s life and set them on a path of no return.

So, how do filmmakers craft those pivotal plot points that hook audiences from the get-go? What techniques and storytelling principles should writers and directors keep in mind when crafting their inciting incidents? Let’s dive in and explore the art of the inciting incident.

What Is an Inciting Incident?

At its core, an inciting incident is the event that gets the plot moving. As screenwriting scholar John York puts it, “If a story is ‘once upon a time something happened,’ then the inciting incident is the ‘something’ that kickstarts a story.”

Robert McKee, another renowned screenwriting expert, notes that the inciting event is “the moment of profound change to the main character’s world.” It’s the catalyst that radically upsets the balance of forces in the protagonist’s life, forcing them to embark on a new journey or confront a new challenge.

While the term is closely associated with filmmaking today, inciting incidents have been a cornerstone of storytelling long before the silver screen. In Homer’s Odyssey, for instance, the inciting incident could be seen as the moment Odysseus leaves Troy and begins his treacherous journey home.

What Should Happen in an Inciting Incident?

Although an inciting incident is massively important to a narrative, it doesn’t have to be as dramatic as a spouse’s death or a world-altering cataclysm. As York notes, “They need not all begin with big bangs. They can simply be the first crack that allows the daylight in.”

In romantic comedies, for example, the inciting incident is typically the “meet-cute” — the moment the two leads first encounter each other and set the stage for their eventual romantic entanglement.

Sometimes, an inciting incident can mark a positive change for a character, like Bruce being bestowed with divine powers in Bruce Almighty. Other times, it can signal a shift from good to bad, as seen in The Conjuring when the family’s excitement for their new home turns to terror after a terrifying paranormal encounter.

While inciting incidents can take many forms, they often fall into a few common categories:

• Personal Loss: The death or disappearance of someone close to the protagonist, as seen in Midsommar.
• Discovery of Hidden Knowledge: The uncovering of a mystery or secret that sets the protagonist on a new path, like Jason Bourne learning of his combat skills.
• Call to Adventure: A summons or catalyst that propels the protagonist into a new, unfamiliar world, such as Luke receiving Leia’s message in Star Wars.
• Attack or Invasion: A violent disruption of the protagonist’s ordinary life, like the home invasion in Panic Room or the arrival of the killer shark in Jaws.
• Introduction of an Evil Entity: The revelation of an antagonistic force or presence that the protagonist must confront, as seen in many horror films.

Regardless of the specific form it takes, the inciting incident should prompt a reaction from the protagonist and set them on a new course — one that will ultimately lead them to the story’s climax and resolution.

When Should the Inciting Incident Occur?

In the traditional three-act structure, the inciting incident is often said to occur around the 12.5% mark of the overall story — roughly a quarter of the way through the first act.

This timing allows for the necessary setup and establishment of the protagonist’s ordinary world before the disruptive event occurs. It also leaves room for the aftermath and consequences of the inciting incident to play out before the story transitions into the second act.

While this 12.5% guideline is by no means a hard-and-fast rule, many successful Hollywood films adhere to it. Stephen Zaillian’s screenplay for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for instance, introduces the inciting incident (Vanger laying out the core mystery for Blomkvist) around page 20 of the 165-page script — right around the 12% mark.

In some cases, the inciting incident may be split into two distinct events: a setup and a payoff. Jaws exemplifies this approach, with the opening shark attack serving as the setup and Brody’s discovery of the victim’s body acting as the payoff that truly sets him on his mission.

Whether it occurs in one fell swoop or across multiple scenes, the inciting incident should feel like a genuine disruption — a jarring event that shatters the established status quo and propels the protagonist into uncharted territory.

Emphasizing the Inciting Incident Through Filmmaking Techniques

For filmmakers, identifying the inciting incident is only half the battle. The other half is effectively communicating its importance and impact to the audience through various cinematic techniques.

Some directors use blocking, music, and production design to highlight the inciting incident’s significance. In Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet, for instance, the star-crossed lovers’ first meeting is staged behind a fish tank, symbolizing the physical and societal barriers that will keep them apart.

Sound design can also play a pivotal role in underscoring an inciting incident’s gravity. In The Hunger Games, Gary Ross uses near-silence and Prim’s solitary footsteps to amplify the impact of her name being called during the Reaping.

Camera work and editing can likewise draw attention to inciting incidents. Robert Eggers uses a simple tilt-up shot in The Witch to reveal the ominous woods after Samuel’s disappearance, while Toby Hooper employs extreme wide shots in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to heighten the sense of isolation and vulnerability experienced by the unsuspecting friends.

By leveraging these various filmmaking techniques, directors can ensure that their inciting incidents resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression, setting the stage for the narrative journey to come.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a personal tragedy, a call to adventure, or a shocking revelation, the inciting incident is the spark that ignites the narrative fire. It’s the pivotal event that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world and sets them on a path of transformation, growth, and (hopefully) resolution.

As writers and filmmakers, crafting a compelling inciting incident is essential to hooking audiences and laying the foundation for a compelling, emotionally resonant story. By following the principles and techniques outlined in this article, you can create inciting incidents that pack a punch, captivate audiences from the outset, and set the stage for an unforgettable cinematic journey.

So, the next time you sit down to outline your story, remember: great narratives start with a bang. And that bang is the inciting incident.