How Do You CREATE and MAINTAIN Empathetic Characters?

There are many important aspects to writing a great screenplay; good dialogue, interesting settings, unique stories, and good characterisation. However, little is arguably more important than creating and maintaining empathetic characters. Empathetic characters are the cornerstones of most great stories. Without an empathetic protagonist, in particular, the audience may struggle to connect to your story, narrative arcs, themes and even setting. Even the seemingly most unlikeable of characters will have something in the way of empathy; a reason to be

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How Do You Write a Convincing and Powerful Death Scene?

Iron Man Death Scene
How to write a good death scene? This is a question writers may well have been pondering since stories were told on the walls of caves. From Shakespeare to Spielberg, death scenes are ever-present in storytelling. Sometimes death in a film or TV show doesn’t even have to be realistic to have us mourning our favorite characters. Audiences have shed many tears over a fictional, fantastical death before. A great death scene can make or break the legacy of a

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Ruth Langmore – Truly ORIGINAL Characters Series: Part 20

Ruth Langmore Ozark Original Character
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts’ articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Ruth Langmore from Ozark. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Ruth Langmore?What Makes Ruth Langmore an Original Character?Ruth Langmore and the LangmoresRuth and MartyRuth Langmore and Ben DavisA Compelling and Unique Presence What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with you even when they’re long

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What is Circular Storytelling? The KEY Lessons For Story Structure

Gone Girl Circular Storytelling
Circular storytelling is a structural technique visible in many stories across film, TV, literature and other mediums. But what exactly does the structure entail? And could it be useful to your screenplay? We take a look… Table of ContentsWhat is Narrative Structure?What’s the Point of Circular Storytelling?Circular Storytelling in Other MediumsThe Hero’s JourneyCircular Storytelling in Dan Harmon’s Story CircleCircular Storytelling in SitcomsDetermining the Best Narrative Structure For Your ScreenplayIs Circular Storytelling Right for Your Story? What is Narrative Structure? Everyone

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Shiv Roy – Truly ORIGINAL CHARACTERS Series Part: 15

Shiv Roy Succession Original Character
Welcome to Original Characters, an ongoing series of Industrial Scripts articles examining the most original characters to appear in both TV and film. This article will focus on Shiv Roy from Succession. View all Truly Original Characters + Table of ContentsWhat is an Original Character?Who is Shiv Roy?What Makes Shiv Roy an Original Character?Shifting LoyaltiesShiv’s Relationship with LoganSibling Rivalries The Gilded CageFashion Sense and ImageIn Conclusion What is an Original Character? It’s a character that sticks with you even when

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