How Soon Should the Inciting Incident Come?

I just finished an interesting story consultation with a teachable moment.

In the promising documentary Lions, Bones & Bullets, the inciting incident had been positioned five minutes into the film, when the protagonist gets a tip-off about a shady government action.

This catalyst event leads wildlife author Richard Peirce on an investigation to find out why lions are farmed in South Africa.

It’s a terrific inciting incident, but five minutes into the feature didn’t seem like the right spot.  Not everyone knows Peirce, a TV presenter best recognized in the UK for his work saving sharks.

So, I wondered, how soon should this  powerful inciting incident happen?

Story guru Robert McKee teaches that the inciting incident should come as soon as possible, in order to get the movie moving. But, he warns, don’t start the quest before the audience cares enough about the lead character.

Ask yourself, says McKee, how much does your viewer need to know about the protagonist–so when something earth-changing happens to him—the viewer has a lean-in response?

In the consultation, we discussed fleshing out Peirce’s backstory as a successful activist who was ready to retire–and placing that “life as normal” scene before the inciting incident.

The team was open to the suggestion, and I’m eager to see the next cut!

I’m currently available to help structure your documentary, whether you’re in pre-production, shooting, or post. Email me about a free 20-minute consultation.