Your screenplay can only go as far as how it resonates with audiences and impacts them. While the genre and story vary with their emotional impact, the stronger you can leave an effect, the more likely you can sell your script and get your project to fruition. So, let’s discuss seven screenwriting techniques for building emotional impact, with examples of films that have mastered each technique.
Still from 'The Social Network' (2010). Photo credit: Columbia Pictures
1. Develop an Engaging Protagonist
Not all of our feelings can be captured in a screenplay, but writing can bring to light suppressed feelings that have long been suppressed, preventing success. A storyteller has many ideas waiting to be brought to life freshly.
Writers can attract audiences and establish a bond by diving into a character's background and revealing meaningful recollections. Your main character or protagonist should be likable and relatable. A resonant experience results from viewers connecting their emotions with the story more when they are invested in the character's journey, development, and past.
Example: Forrest Gump (1994) - Forrest Gump is a deeply likable, relatable character with a unique perspective on life. His innocence, kindness, and persistence make the audience root for him. His background and recollections create a personal connection that helps viewers invest in his journey, making him an enduring protagonist.
2. Foster Emotion
As a screenwriter, concentrate on the feeling you wish to arouse in the character when writing a scene. This will give your work a particular dimension.
Having a sense of surprise evokes strong feelings, which adds depth and keeps the work interesting. Focusing on these specifics will evoke genuine feelings and strengthen your connection with the audience. As easy as it seems, these strategies create a sincere bond that draws audiences closer to the writer.
Example: Up (2009) - Up masterfully evokes emotion right from its opening sequence, depicting Carl and Ellie’s life together in a wordless montage. The audience experiences love, loss, and longing within minutes, creating a deep emotional connection to Carl's character and his journey that resonates throughout the film.
3. Master Speech
Without talking about dialogue, what would a screenwriting article be? One of the most potent tools in screenwriting is dialogue. It frequently advances the plot in addition to revealing characters.
Try to aim for intelligent, genuine, and meaningful dialogue that reflects the distinct voices of each character. Character names should ideally be obscured so that you can still identify the speaker.
Each line should have a distinct function, such as introducing conflict, strengthening bonds, or providing information. If it doesn't accomplish one of these, consider cutting it. Additionally, please pay attention to the emotions and subtext that underlie your characters' words; subtext draws viewers in and gives them dimension. But keep in mind that sometimes, little is more. Steer clear of excessive exposition and provide images and actions as important as words.
Example: Pulp Fiction (1994) - Quentin Tarantino’s dialogue is renowned for its authenticity and rhythm. Each character has a unique voice, and the dialogue often reveals deeper aspects of their personalities. Scenes like Jules’ “Ezekiel 25:17” monologue add subtext and intensity, making it memorable and impactful.
4. Induce Stress
The core of an engaging screenplay is tension and conflict. Create tensions that test your characters' objectives and fundamental values. These conflicts may arise from outside sources such as adversaries, the elements, or social pressures; a well-balanced combination of these factors frequently strengthens the narrative.
Although they can be more challenging to depict physically, internal conflicts—such as emotional battles, moral quandaries, or conflicting desires—add a deeply personal dimension. Therefore, handle them carefully and find ways to depict them on screen.
Raising the stakes frequently keeps viewers emotionally engaged and curious about what will happen next. Investigate several kinds of conflicts—physical, emotional, or ideological—to build deep, multi-layered tension in your script.
Example: Inception (2010) - Christopher Nolan expertly builds tension throughout the layers of dreams in Inception. The combination of internal conflicts (Cobb’s guilt and fears) with external threats (being pursued in the dream worlds) creates a multi-layered sense of urgency that keeps viewers on edge.
5. Make Use of Pacing Strategies
A story's pacing determines how quickly and rhythmically the tension rises and falls to keep the audience interested. Moving between short, explosive sequences and slower, contemplative ones—for example, a high-speed chase followed by a private, quiet chat or a succession of quick cuts leading to a big reveal—will help keep viewers' attention and create suspense.
Pacing can also be manipulated via successful transitions, such as match cuts or cliffhangers, to build suspense, anticipation, or emotional impact. Matching the action or emotion from one scene to the next can produce a smooth flow, whereas cutting from a character in danger to another, for example, keeps the audience in suspense.
Balancing action, dialogue, and description can control the information flow. It directs the audience's emotional journey and permits purposeful tension builds and drops, such as a dramatic, quiet action scene or slow-moving, illuminating dialogue.
Example: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - This film uses pacing brilliantly, with relentless action sequences punctuated by quieter, contemplative moments, allowing viewers to breathe and absorb character development. The rapid shifts between high-stakes chases and pauses build a rhythm that maintains tension and engagement throughout.
6. Foster Compassion
The capacity to comprehend, feel, and experience another person's feelings, thoughts, and viewpoints is known as empathy. You want your audience to experience empathy as they interact with your tale. You want people to become interested in your characters' stories and live through them. This sensation of connection makes the film experience potent and fascinating.
Example: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - This film draws viewers into the struggles and dreams of Chris Gardner, a man facing significant hardships but driven by hope for a better future for his son. The realistic portrayal of his challenges and perseverance fosters empathy, making audiences deeply invested in his journey.
7. Edit and Examine
The emotional effect of a script is a process that requires patience, numerous drafts, and changes, just like anything else. If your first draft isn't flawless, don't give up. Remember to take a break, do something else, then return to it whenever you get a new perspective.
Seek improvement opportunities, such as enhancing character arcs, tempo, or dialogue. To acquire fresh viewpoints, join a screenwriting club or ask reliable peers for comments.
Accept the rewriting process as a necessary part of the screenplay improvement process. Critically examine every scene to ensure it serves a purpose and advances the plot. Take the time to polish each element, forming your script into an engaging story that flows well.
Example: The Social Network (2010) - With a carefully edited script by Aaron Sorkin, this film is a model of polish and precision. Each scene drives the story forward, balancing character development and plot progression. David Fincher’s dedication to refining the film (such as with extensive takes) contributes to its cohesiveness and emotional impact.