Stories are conceived in many different ways. Some writers start from a single word, idea, or line. Some use a dream as a jumping off point, others use prompts, current events, or real life stories as a basis of their ideas.

In conceptualizing a screenplay, ask yourself what and who your story is about. If you come up with the plot or premise first, you then have to figure out what this concept will require your hero to do. You will then create a character whose past is causing them to be fearful of doing the one thing they will have to do in order to achieve their goal. By building a character around your plot, you create a multidimensional realistic person whose struggle directly relates to the plot and whose arc will create and reinforce the theme of the film.

The theme is revealed when the character, in Act 2, recognizes, confronts, and overcomes their inner conflict. In Shawshank Redemption, the plot involves a man accused of murder who goes to prison, and touches the lives of the other prisoners before escaping and finding redemption. The theme-hope never dies, did not come from the plot, it came from the character and the changes that he went through. The plot helped facilitate this arc and emphasize this theme by showing a character going through the events of the story.

Other stories are conceptualized based on the character. Some are biographies, or sometimes you have created this great, intriguing character and need to come up with something for him or her to do. Just like a plot-based film, character based ideas need a theme and a plot in order to effectively reveal your theme through the character’s arc. No matter how fascinating your character is, you need a plot and a story to wrap around this character. Clarice didn’t just sit around talking to Hannibal about how messed up he was, she was trying to solve a mystery and discover how a killer’s mind worked in order to accomplish a concrete goal. This gave the story a plot and her character an arc while still revolving around an interesting character. Your screenplay should force your hero to face their greatest fear, thus proving your theme. Your character, wounded in their past, has a fear that is preventing them from doing the one thing that will make them happy and allow them to be themselves and live to their full potential. The film shows the audience that your theme is true by showing a character who proves that it is true.

For more articles on screenwriting, visit www.WhyThisisGood.com.

-Ginger Earle