Screenwriting Course
Lessons

All story logic should spring from character, not plot. The plot moves forward by the logical actions of your characters.  Compelling characters are the reason your script exists.

Conflict is the basis for ALL narrative. Without conflict you have no story.  Conflict can be defined by this six-word equation: Define the need, create the obstacle.  There are three narrative elements to make this equation work:

• Stakes and Consequences
• Dramatic Tension
• Emotional Investment

The six-word equation demands that we have:

• A protagonist with a need/goal.
• An antagonist or obstacle which stands in the way of that need.
• Stakes that keep the protagonist focused and the story moving forward.
• Consequences and failure of not reaching the need (which ramps up the dramatic tension).
• An emotional investment by the audience wanting the protagonist to succeed.
• A story arc which is often a transformative journey for the protagonist.

Your mindset as you write your script should be:

• What is your character really after?
• What engages us?
• What is the protagonist really after?
• What’s underneath the goal.
• What motivates the protagonist to go after it?

Remember, all storytelling is emotional. You can take any film and reframe it emotionally. Try to do this with every film idea you come up with.