November 2013| www.crackingyarns.com.au
I wandered in the wilderness for a long time as a writer because almost all of the screenwriting bibles fail to address the most fundamental question: Why do we need stories?| Cracking Yarns
When it comes to endings, you can tick all the boxes in terms of theory but ultimately there is only one thing that matters.| Cracking Yarns
A profoundly moving ending depends first on building tension. But how you release that tension is just as critical.| Cracking Yarns
While your audience will generally want your hero to gain something, for a truly great ending you’ll also have to make sure your protagonist loses something very dear.| Cracking Yarns
If you want to end your film on an affecting up beat, you’re going to need to precede that with a very significant down beat. (Or vice versa).| Cracking Yarns
An emotionally powerful ending depends on 2 key moments before the climax itself. And neither of them is the Inciting Incident or a Turning Point.| Cracking Yarns
Most screenplays have some sort of character arc but this "transformation" typically fails to move us. Here I explore what sort of change does tend to profoundly affect your audience.| Cracking Yarns
In the great endings the hero typically does in the final act what they could not have done at the beginning, and this shift seems to be fundamental if you want to profoundly move your audience.| Cracking Yarns
Most screenplays suffer because the resolution comes too easily. You must make it really hard for your hero - and that doesn't mean making the antagonist 6 inches taller or 40 IQ points smarter.| Cracking Yarns
In the last post, I noted the hero rarely gets what they wanted in a profoundly moving ending. Here we explore the ecstasy they get to balance the agony.| Cracking Yarns
Join renowned story authority, Allen Palmer (AFTRS, NYU, UK Film Council) for an inspiring 2-day course that can transform your understanding of screenwriting for film and TV.| www.crackingyarns.com.au
In my last post, I revealed my debt to Chris Vogler and where I diverge from him on Character Arc. Here I outline a new character-driven Hero’s Emotional Journey.| Cracking Yarns