Behind the Curtain

When writing a script, many clearly placed do's and don't exist. For instance, you do want to follow an act structure of some sort, and you don't want to write a 300-page script based on your viewing of Tenet. There are some unsaid rules, that most writers inherently understand, while the rest cannot. One rule is the acknowledgment of what's behind the curtain.

When we write, we put everything into the story. Our hopes, ideas, and dreams, but what about the characters? See, in front of the curtain is the story. The song and dance of the journey taking us to that breathtaking conclusion you so perfectly wrapped up. Though there's the other side, where the true depth lies. This is where you put your all, The reasoning behind every action in the story. Now I'm not talking about where they were born or how many times they fell off a bike. I'm talking about why they move and act the way they do. For instance, in a script, We may follow a character who ran away from home. The movie is about their experience on the run. We may never explain why they ran away or from who, but we must have that in mind behind the curtain. Without it, the characters will become very one-dimensional, and even worse, they won't make consistent actions. If they ran away from an abusive household, then the main character would struggle to connect with people in fear that they might be hurt by them, but in the same instance, if they ran away after their parents/guardians died, they may have trouble connecting to people out of fear that they will lose them. Both have incredibly different outcomes yet are just little details that help further your depth and understanding of the character.

Your character on the run

I have met many writers with characters who run off or go on bizarre adventures when I ask why they did it. The answer is usually "because that's what they do" or "because I thought it would be dramatic!" That is not an answer, I need to know more, but people always take this as me saying that they have to show it. It's not like that. I'm not saying you must tell the world every last dark secret of your characters. I'm saying that if you don't know them, then no one ever will. You won't be able to entice the audience with them or even talk up your script. How do you pitch a story when you don't even know what's going on past the words on the page? The biggest slap in the face is when it feels obvious what the writer is conveying, but they don't notice it.

That being said, you must remember that these secret blueprints are in your head. So that means other people may develop different ideas about why the story is progressing the way it does. That's perfectly fine; this is why the curtain is excellent. It gives people a chance to imprint and have their own conversation with the piece without you bombarding them with every little reason the plot is happening. We need that curtain because it makes the story whole. No matter the connotation that comes from it!

when the curtain drops

After all, if it ever falls, people will see that it's just as flat as it feels. It's best to always come prepared, whether it is the only reason the project will thrive or even if the executives decide they want to change what's behind the curtain.