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Writing for Emotional Impact

Writing for Emotional Impact. Karl Iglesias. What makes a movie/script work?. Desired emotional response Feel power of screenplay Create intended emotion or image in reader’s head Concept, setting, characters, plot, dialogue, character arc High Concept - something unique that is appealing

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Writing for Emotional Impact

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  1. Writing for Emotional Impact Karl Iglesias

  2. What makes a movie/script work? • Desired emotional response • Feel power of screenplay • Create intended emotion or image in reader’s head • Concept, setting, characters, plot, dialogue, character arc • High Concept - something unique that is appealing • Hollywood trades in human emotion • Heart over mind

  3. Screenplay Readers look for • Fresh characters • Unique settings/behind the scenes • Something we know in a way that moves us • Refreshing

  4. Four Emotional Needs • Need for New Information • Bond with Main Character • Connect, relate • Conflict resolution • Completion/Closure • Questions answered • Entertainment/Emotional Impact

  5. Three Types of Storytelling Emotions • Voyeuristic • Curiosity about new information • Vicarious • Feeling emotions of character • Visceral • What reader/audience feel from story • Entertainment = experiencing visceral emotions

  6. Screenwriter’s Process • Planning • Writing • Rewriting

  7. Planning • Concept • Theme • Character • Story • Structure • Scenes

  8. Planning - Concept • Idea – fresh, appealing, provocative • Hook you emotionally • Uniquely familiar • Promise of conflict

  9. Planning - Theme • Reveals human condition • Entertains and teaches • Exploration • Should resonate throughout • The more meaningful the theme, the deeper the emotions

  10. Planning - Character • Attach talent to project • Sell scripts because studios want roles for stars • Emotional connection with main character

  11. Planning - Story • Character wants something and someone/something opposes him/her • Conflict. Dramatic action. • Goal > Obstacle. Unwillingness to compromise. • Focus on elements that cause visceral emotions. • Interest, curiosity (what happens next), anticipation, suspense, tension, surprise

  12. Planning - Structure • Beginning, middle and end • Boil essence of story into 3 acts • Setup – Conflict - Resolution

  13. Planning - Scenes • Mini-story • Conflict or promise of conflict • Somebody wants something badly and is having difficulty getting it • Should be constructed in terms of its effects on readers • Description and dialogue

  14. Writing - Description • Ability to totally immerse us in the experience • Command attention on page • Create motion – scenes seem like they move on the page • Riveting reading experience

  15. Writing - Dialogue • Reveal character • Reflect speaker’s mood and emotions • Reveal or hide speaker’s motivation • Advance the action, carry information • Foreshadow what’s to come • Have emotional impact • Great Dialogue • Emotional impact • Individuality • Subtle exposition • Subtext • Do not create false emotions • Focus on true emotions and wounds • Read great scripts • Analyze writing that moves you

  16. Rewrite • Edit, edit, edit

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