Let’s talk about pacing in a screenplay outline. Pacing is a little bit tricky. A big mistake that writers make in their plot is that everything is going on too quickly. The plot and action move forward continuously without any breaks. Most audience wishes for a few breaks in between so that they can get a grip of the story. A little quiet time would make them even more familiar with the concept.
Why pacing is required?
Even though the pacing is a feel yet there are a few screenplay lessons that might help young writers to understand it. Writers need to study their script outline and check whether the pace is right or not. Slow scenes should be included within the script but with one condition that things don’t come to a full stop. Slow scenes without a motivation, goal, or link to the remaining movie are vague. Being a writer it is your responsibility to make sure certain that your script outline is accomplishing goals as required. For example in thrillers or suspense movies, a slow scene can increase the beauty of the suspense.
Slow-paced scenes allow the audience to sit down and enjoy every single character. They come to know about the different angles of a story. It’s a superb approach but sadly some writers fail to understand this. They incorporate scenes into a film that are just there for the sake of being there. Such scenes having no connection with the other scenes, cause the audience to be confused. So, add slow scenes but make sure to tie them up together.
Using character revelation with conflict
Character revelation is not alone that useful. Creating an underbelly of conflict is also important. Writers need to check that the concept has a meaning, things are being sought and goals are being achieved. Along with this one needs to see that the scenes are not overwhelming. A moment of peace is necessary. Baby money is also a fast-paced movie but there are moments where the audience gets an insight into the feeling of the character. These scenes are relatively slower but help in connecting with the pain of the character. It works because things are working towards the goal without stopping midway.
Ideally, a scene either reveals plot or reveals character but sometimes it does both. Having both of these things is beneficial. There might be plenty of movies without both these elements which do get produced. But the same thing cannot be said for every film. Therefore, it is best practice to follow this tip of using both character revelation and conflict in one scene. It increases the odds of a writer getting produced. Just a simple character revelation might bore the audience. Without a conflicting plot, character development cannot engage people. Experts might watch the complete film as they are aware of the mechanics and know-how to judge films. Whereas the audience on the other hand won’t think twice before leaving a boring film midway.
Conclusion
Until and unless writers don’t use the devices that hook the audience to their play, they are going to lose them. So it’s of utmost importance that writers do justice with character revelations. First of all, don’t introduce random characters in the middle of a scene without any backstory. Secondly if possible add a little conflict to the story to make it interesting. A quiet scene after all that action doesn’t seem so bad as long as it makes sense. Tying character revelation to expanding motivation can make things clearer and interesting for an audience.
Visit our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/screenplayawardsnetwork/
Or YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/ScreenplayAwards
