Story

1. Story is a metaphor for life, driven by character desire

Story is a metaphor for life and the human need to grasp the patterns of living, not merely as an intellectual exercise, but within a very personal, emotional experience.

The essence of story. At its core, a story is a journey of character desire meeting forces of antagonism. This desire, whether conscious or unconscious, forms the spine of the story and drives the narrative forward. The protagonist's quest to fulfill this desire, in the face of obstacles and challenges, mirrors the human experience of striving for meaning and purpose in life.

Elements of effective storytelling:

• A clear object of desire for the protagonist
• Forces of antagonism that create conflict
• A series of events that build progressively
• Meaningful change in the character's life situation

The power of story lies in its ability to engage audiences emotionally and intellectually, providing insights into the human condition and offering a framework for understanding our own experiences.

2. Structure is the backbone of storytelling

To design a feature film, you must reduce the seething mass and rush of life story to just two little hours, more or less, that somehow express everything you left out.

The importance of structure. A well-crafted story structure provides the framework for engaging and meaningful narratives. The five-part structure - Inciting Incident, Progressive Complications, Crisis, Climax, and Resolution - creates a coherent and satisfying arc that keeps audiences invested.

Key structural elements:

• Inciting Incident: The event that sets the story in motion
• Progressive Complications: Escalating conflicts and challenges
• Crisis: The ultimate dilemma faced by the protagonist
• Climax: The final, decisive moment of confrontation
• Resolution: The aftermath and consequences of the climax

Effective structure allows writers to convey complex ideas and emotions within the constraints of their chosen medium, whether it's a two-hour film or a full-length novel. By carefully selecting and arranging events, writers can create a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences long after the story ends.

3. Conflict and antagonism are essential for compelling narratives

The measure of the value of a character's desire is in direct proportion to the risk he's willing to take to achieve it; the greater the value, the greater the risk.

The power of conflict. Conflict is the engine that drives a story forward, creating tension, suspense, and emotional investment. Without meaningful conflict, stories become stagnant and fail to engage audiences. The principle of antagonism states that a story can only be as intellectually fascinating and emotionally compelling as the forces of antagonism allow it to be.

Levels of conflict:

• Inner conflict: Within the character's own psyche
• Personal conflict: Between characters in intimate relationships
• Extra-personal conflict: Against larger societal or environmental forces

The most powerful stories often incorporate all three levels of conflict, creating a rich tapestry of challenges for the protagonist to overcome. By raising the stakes and increasing the risk, writers can create stories that resonate deeply with audiences and explore the full range of human experience.

4. Scene design and turning points create meaningful change

A SCENE is an action through conflict in more or less continuous time and space that turns the value-charged condition of a character's life on at least one value with a degree of perceptible significance.

The anatomy of a scene. Well-crafted scenes are the building blocks of effective storytelling. Each scene should create meaningful change in the life of the character, advancing the story and revealing deeper truths about the human condition. Turning points, moments where expectations and results diverge, are crucial in creating dynamic and engaging narratives.

Elements of effective scene design:

• Clear conflict or tension
• A shift in the value-charged condition of the character's life
• Turning points that create gaps between expectation and result
• Progression towards the scene's climax

By carefully constructing scenes and strategic turning points, writers can create stories that continually surprise and engage audiences, driving the narrative forward while revealing deeper layers of meaning and character development.

5. Exposition should be seamlessly integrated, not forced

The famous axiom "Show, don't tell" is the key. Never force words into a character's mouth to tell the audience about world, history, or person. Rather, show us honest, natural scenes in which human beings talk and behave in honest, natural ways… yet at the same time indirectly pass along the necessary facts.

The art of subtle exposition. Effective exposition provides necessary information without disrupting the flow of the story or pulling the audience out of the narrative. Instead of relying on clunky dialogue or lengthy explanations, skilled writers find ways to weave exposition naturally into the fabric of the story.

Techniques for seamless exposition:

• Reveal information through character actions and choices
• Use conflict to bring important details to light
• Employ visual storytelling to convey information
• Strategically place small bits of exposition throughout the story

By mastering the art of subtle exposition, writers can create immersive worlds and complex characters without resorting to heavy-handed explanations or disrupting the narrative flow.

6. Dialogue must be purposeful and compressed

Screen dialogue, therefore, must have the swing of everyday talk but content well above normal.

The power of effective dialogue. In screenwriting, dialogue serves multiple purposes: advancing the plot, revealing character, and creating subtext. Unlike everyday conversation, screen dialogue must be purposeful, compressed, and laden with meaning. Every line should contribute to the overall story and reveal something about the characters or their relationships.

Principles of effective screen dialogue:

• Compression: Say the maximum in the fewest possible words
• Direction: Move the scene forward with each exchange
• Purpose: Execute steps in the overall design of the scene
• Natural sound: Use informal vocabulary and contractions

By crafting dialogue that is both natural-sounding and rich with meaning, writers can create engaging and memorable scenes that resonate with audiences and bring characters to life on screen.

7. Character dimensionality comes from inner contradictions

Dimension means contradiction: either within deep character (guilt-ridden ambition) or between characterization and deep character (a charming thief).

Creating complex characters. Truly compelling characters are multidimensional, possessing inner contradictions that make them feel real and human. These contradictions create tension and depth, allowing characters to surprise both themselves and the audience as they navigate the challenges of the story.

Types of character contradictions:

• Inner contradictions: Conflicting desires or values within the character
• Contradiction between characterization and true character
• Contradictions between a character's words and actions

By crafting characters with meaningful contradictions, writers can create rich, complex individuals that engage audiences and drive compelling narratives. These contradictions also provide opportunities for character growth and transformation throughout the story.

8. Adapt material thoughtfully, preserving the essence

The first principle of adaptation: The purer the novel, the purer the play, the worse the film.

The challenges of adaptation. Adapting material from one medium to another requires careful consideration and often significant reimagining. The key is to capture the essence of the original work while tailoring it to the strengths and limitations of the new medium.

Steps for effective adaptation:

1. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the original work
2. Identify the core elements that make the story compelling
3. Reorganize events to fit the new medium's structure
4. Translate internal conflicts into external, visual expressions
5. Be willing to make changes that serve the new format

Successful adaptations preserve the heart of the original work while taking full advantage of the new medium's storytelling possibilities. This often requires significant creativity and a willingness to depart from the source material when necessary.

9. Visual storytelling trumps excessive dialogue

The first attack on every scene should be: How could I write this in a purely visual way and not have to resort to a single line of dialogue?

Show, don't tell. In screenwriting, visual storytelling is paramount. The most effective scenes often convey information and emotion through actions, expressions, and imagery rather than dialogue. By prioritizing visual elements, writers can create more engaging and cinematic experiences for the audience.

Techniques for visual storytelling:

• Use actions to reveal character and advance the plot
• Employ meaningful props and set designs
• Utilize character expressions and body language
• Create visual metaphors to convey themes and emotions

By focusing on visual storytelling, writers can create scripts that take full advantage of the cinematic medium, allowing directors and actors to bring the story to life through powerful imagery and performances.

10. Writing vividly brings the screenplay to life

To write vividly, avoid generic nouns and verbs with adjectives and adverbs attached and seek the name of the thing.

The power of precise language. In screenwriting, vivid and specific description is crucial for bringing the story to life in the reader's mind. By using precise nouns and active verbs, writers can create a clear and engaging mental image of the action on screen.

Tips for vivid writing:

• Use specific nouns instead of generic terms with modifiers
• Choose active, descriptive verbs over vague actions with adverbs
• Write in the present tense to create a sense of immediacy
• Focus on describing what can be seen and heard on screen
• Eliminate passive constructions and state-of-being verbs

By mastering the art of vivid description, screenwriters can create scripts that excite and inspire filmmakers, actors, and readers alike, setting the stage for powerful visual storytelling on screen.

Last updated: January 22, 2025