Screenwriting is an art of crafting compelling narratives that captivate audiences. While the box office seems to be dominated by spectacular blockbusters these days, it’s often films based on true stories that are the most inspirational and powerful. Real-life stories with their accessible drama, surprise twists and nuanced characters tend to offer a rich tapestry for screenwriters.
The Power of Observation
If you want to get a snapshot of life to spark your screenplay, try looking at the world around you. Observe people in cafes, on public transport, at the park. Pay attention to their interactions, their body language, their unspoken emotions. While writers are told to raise the stakes when it comes to screenplays, you can find compelling stories in the seemingly mundane. These fleeting moments, chance encounters or moments of vulnerability can bloom into powerful narratives. Keep a record of your keen insights and observations to draw from when it comes to the writing process.
Finding the Cinematic Core
Identify the turning point in real-life events… the moment that shifted course dramatically. Find real characters and mine their complexities, motivations, desires and fears. What are some of their strengths and weaknesses, try to define them and uncover what makes them tick. While real-life can serve as inspiration and it pays to inject a rich sense of authenticity, remember that you are allowed to bend the storytelling towards drama. Create a sense of urgency, elevate the stakes… heighten emotions and find the drama.
Ethical Considerations
Another aspect of telling stories based on real people and events is that you’ve got to respect privacy… meaning you can’t simply use people’s names or portray in a harmful or humiliating way. Seek legal counsel and consent before you go full steam ahead – even if loosely based on their lives.
Finding Inspiration in Diverse Sources
You can draw on newspapers and news websites for inspiration around life stories that involve human interest, social issues and historical events. Interviews can also lead to fresh ideas and stories when you get a variety of perspectives. If you’re still stumped, try reading autobiographies and memoirs that draw you into the worlds of people who share their highs, lows and insights into life, love and everything else.