登录查看更多内容

What are some techniques to create tension between characters in your script?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Tension between characters is a key element of any engaging story, whether it's a drama, a thriller, or a comedy. Tension creates conflict, suspense, and emotion, and keeps the audience invested in the outcome. But how do you create tension in your script? Here are some techniques to help you craft compelling scenes that make your characters clash, challenge, and change.

在这篇协作文章中查找专家回答

由社区从 5 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 Define the stakes

The first technique is to define the stakes for your characters, or what they stand to gain or lose in each scene. Stakes can be external, such as money, power, or survival, or internal, such as love, respect, or identity. The higher the stakes, the more tension you create, as the audience will care more about the outcome. To define the stakes, ask yourself: What does each character want in this scene? What is the obstacle or opposition they face? What will happen if they fail or succeed?

添加您的观点

Joaquim Cobra

??LinkedIn Top Voice Video Production ??Creation??Strategy??Marketing ??Development ??Movie & Music Production ??Scriptwriter
举报内容
One thing I’ve found helpful to say is that the character must be loyal to itself and not to the scene. By creating an accurate behavior pattern of the character all over the plot and by doing that you will be able to extract from the characters what does each character want in the scene. Basically the character will talk to you when you are writing the script and the features of the character’s personality and behavior will define everything regarding this specific character inside not just the scene but also inside a whole sequence.

已翻译

赞

加载更多内容

2 Vary the tone

The second technique is to vary the tone of your scenes, or the mood and atmosphere you create with your dialogue, action, and description. Tone can range from light and humorous to dark and serious, and it can change depending on the context and the characters. By varying the tone, you can create contrast, surprise, and irony, and keep the audience on their toes. To vary the tone, ask yourself: How do you want the audience to feel in this scene? How can you use humor, sarcasm, or irony to create tension? How can you switch the tone to create a twist or a shock?

添加您的观点

Joaquim Cobra

??LinkedIn Top Voice Video Production ??Creation??Strategy??Marketing ??Development ??Movie & Music Production ??Scriptwriter
举报内容
An example I’ve seen is using illumination to separate villains and heroes, or anti heroes, when it’s a movie with such types of characters. There’s some styles of cinematography who use all the elements of the story to define each tone that must be applied to every scene and/or sequence. It’s imperative to look for the characters behavior to define the best ways to use the tone as an element of impact inside the plot.

已翻译

赞

3 Use subtext

The third technique is to use subtext, or the hidden meaning behind what your characters say and do. Subtext can reveal the true intentions, emotions, or secrets of your characters, and create tension by implying what they are not saying or showing. Subtext can also create ambiguity, mystery, or misunderstanding, and make the audience curious or confused. To use subtext, ask yourself: What are your characters hiding or lying about in this scene? How can you show their inner conflict or contradiction? How can you make the audience wonder or doubt what they are seeing or hearing?

添加您的观点

Sergio Bianco

Video Producer, Photographer, Content Creator | Helping businesses stand out on social media with meaningful visual content.
举报内容
Another way to use subtext is to start from what you want a scene to communicate and then find a way to hide it. For example, let's say you have a couple whose relationship is in rough waters. Instead of having them discuss their problems with each other, you can have them fight about something trivial, like what to order for dinner or where to put the milk in the fridge (door or shelf).

已翻译

赞

4 Create dilemmas

The fourth technique is to create dilemmas, or situations where your characters have to make difficult choices between two or more alternatives. Dilemmas can create tension by forcing your characters to face their fears, values, or morals, and by showing the consequences of their actions. Dilemmas can also create drama, sympathy, or empathy, and make the audience root for or against your characters. To create dilemmas, ask yourself: What are the options your characters have in this scene? What are the pros and cons of each option? What are the risks and rewards of each option?

添加您的观点

Joaquim Cobra

??LinkedIn Top Voice Video Production ??Creation??Strategy??Marketing ??Development ??Movie & Music Production ??Scriptwriter
举报内容
One thing I’ve found helpful to say is that dilemmas include all the aspects of the characters personality. You cannot establish a dilemma to a character without considering every aspects of its personality and behavior. The types of dilemma must vary and going according the characters most important function in the story.

已翻译

赞

5 Build anticipation

The fifth technique is to build anticipation, or the expectation or hope of something happening in the future. Anticipation can create tension by delaying the resolution of a conflict, by teasing a reveal or a payoff, or by hinting at a threat or a danger. Anticipation can also create excitement, curiosity, or fear, and make the audience eager or anxious to see what happens next. To build anticipation, ask yourself: What are you promising or foreshadowing in this scene? How can you create suspense or mystery by withholding information or delaying action? How can you increase the stakes or the urgency by adding pressure or time limits?

添加您的观点

6 Contrast the characters

The sixth technique is to contrast the characters, or the differences and similarities between them. Contrast can create tension by highlighting the conflicts, challenges, or changes that your characters face in relation to each other. Contrast can also create interest, attraction, or repulsion, and make the audience care about the relationships between your characters. To contrast the characters, ask yourself: How are your characters different or similar in terms of their personality, background, or goals? How do they complement or clash with each other? How do they influence or affect each other?

添加您的观点

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Video Production

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are some techniques to create tension between characters in your script?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the stakes

2 Vary the tone

3 Use subtext

4 Create dilemmas

5 Build anticipation

6 Contrast the characters

7 Here’s what else to consider

Video Production

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Video Production相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

What are some techniques to create tension between characters in your script?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the stakes

2 Vary the tone

3 Use subtext

4 Create dilemmas

5 Build anticipation

6 Contrast the characters

7 Here’s what else to consider

Video Production

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能