Screenplay Structure Workflow: Strict Adherence vs. Blending Methods?

Hey everyone, I'm Marcus Johnson, a working Director/Writer, and I've been wrestling with story structure on my current project. It's a gritty neo-noir short, and I've been trying to keep a tight rein on it, initially attempting a strict 3-act outline. But truthfully, it felt a bit suffocating, and I found myself naturally breaking things down into smaller 'sequences' just to get through key turning points. Then I started wondering about others' processes.

Do you find yourselves strictly adhering to one method, like a pure 3-Act or Sequence Method, from initial concept all the way to a locked script? Or do you pick and choose, blending elements as the story develops? How does your outlining approach evolve as you move from that first spark of an idea to a polished screenplay? I'm genuinely curious about how seasoned writers navigate this.