So yesterday, a Scriptshadow reader sent me this video of a roller coaster. Why he sent it to me, I’m still not sure. He’s kind of weird. But I’m glad he did. Because as I watched the video, I realized it contained the perfect screenplay lesson.
You see, there’s a reason that rollercoasters don’t start the ride at the top of the track. By making you start at the bottom and go up that hill, that endless clickity-clack-clack-clack hill, they are creating something called anticipation. With each inch closer you get to the top, the more terrified of what’s about to happen you become.
MAJOR FORCE AWAKENS SPOILERS BELOW
Anticipation is a powerful storytelling tool. And it basically works like this. Imply that something big and important is about to happen, then instead of throwing your character into it, make them go up that hill. A perfect example is the death of Han Solo in The Force Awakens. Han Solo doesn’t run into Kylo Ren willy-nilly and boom-bam kill-em dead. Abrams and Kasdan have Han walk across that endless bridge before getting to Kylo. And then they give us a long dialogue exchange before Kylo finally kills him. The scene is pure anticipation.
What you eventually learn after screenwriting for awhile is that it’s never the actual event that impacts you. It’s the anticipation of that event. And so I give this gift to you to play with. Find some time after opening presents to write ONE SCENE that’s centered around anticipation. Feel free to trade scenes with each other in the comments.
Have a wonderful holiday. And try not to get too drunk. Ya freakin alcoholics.
