Screenwriting is rife with well-intentioned but misguided advice. Eager to find the magic key, new writers easily fall prey to misnomers that can choke creativity and hold them back. It’s high time we debunk three of the most prevalent myths and pave the way for more authentic storytelling.
Misnomer 1: “Show, Don’t Tell” Means Zero Exposition.
“Show, don’t tell” is the sacred mantra of screenwriting, and not for nothing. It makes us translate abstract ideas into concrete action and image. But this screenwriting catchphrase has been carried to an absurd degree. Some believe that any overt exposition is a deadly sin against cinematic storytelling.
The reality is far more nuanced. While excessive, clunky exposition can indeed derail a story, it’s still required. Consider the delicate balance required to introduce intricate worlds, multi-layered backstories, or subtle character motivations into the picture. Attempt to consider getting to grips with the intricate political universe of Dune or Manchester by the Sea’s emotional landscape of suffering without some form of verbal or textual exposition.
The key is to integrate exposition elegantly into the narrative. Dialogue can be infused with subtext, relaying information organically through character interaction. A well-placed montage can condense intricate information visually. Even a brief, suggestive voiceover, used sparingly, can add depth and clarity.
Don’t shy away from exposition. Learn to master it. Push yourself:
Does this exposition serve a vital narrative purpose?
Can I convey this information visually or through subtext?
If dialogue is necessary, can I make it natural and character-driven?
By acknowledging that “show, don’t tell” is more of a guideline than a hard and fast rule, you’ll have a broader range of storytelling tools at your disposal.
Misnomer 2: “Write What You Know” Limits Your Imagination.
“Write what you know” is touted as a sort of guarantee of authenticity failsafe. While firsthand experience will undoubtedly enrich your writing, sticking to this advice strictly can confine your creativity.
Imagination is what separates screenwriting from reportage. Think of the fantasy worlds of Avatar or the historical epics of Gladiator. All of these stories stretch beyond the writer’s immediate experience, out to new horizons of imagination and research.
Don’t write only about your life but about what fascinates you. Research is the visa to the unknown worlds where you can travel to new cultures, new periods of history, or fantasy worlds.
Ask yourself:
What stories ignite my passion?
What worlds do I long to explore?
How do I discover and become acquainted with these unfamiliar worlds through research and immersion?
Don’t let fear of the unknown stifle your imagination. Draw on the power of research and imagination, and you’ll discover a universe of stories to tell.
Misnomer 3: “Every Scene Must Advance the Plot” Leads to Formulaic Stories.
The notion that every scene must advance the plot aggressively can lead to rigid, formulaic storytelling. Pacing is crucial, but an aggressive focus on plot can be at the expense of character development and emotional resonance.
Life, and good fiction, are replete with moments of reflective quiet, character-revealing dialogue, and subtle emotional course corrections that don’t directly move the plot forward. Those moments, sometimes referred to as “character beats,” provide depth and dimension and make characters seem real and relatable.
Consider the silences in Lost in Translation or the character moments in Before Sunrise. These films demonstrate the power of allowing characters space, to exist outside of plot boundaries.
Questions to consider:
What are the emotional stakes of this scene?
How does this scene show character?
Does this scene contribute to the overall thematic resonance of the story?
By accessing the power of character-based moments, you can create stories that resonate on a deeper, emotional level.
Lastly, screenwriting is a discipline that needs to be balanced with artistic freedom. By deconstructing these common misnomers, you can liberate yourself from suffocating rules and access a purer, more creative approach to storytelling. Let your imagination soar, and let your stories speak with genuine power.