How to Write a Screenplay that's a Crowd-Pleaser - Back to the Future & the Flat Character Arc
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ก.ค. 2024
- How "Back to the Future" includes a lead character who manages to achieve his wants and needs without having an actual character arc. This is episode 1 of "The Four Endings."
Back to the Future Script PDF Download ►► bit.ly/bttf-script
K.M. Weiland's Creating Character Arcs ►► bit.ly/weilandarcs
Chapters:
00:00 Intro - The Four Endings in Every Film
00:41 Protagonist "Wants" & "Needs"
02:05 Four Endings Overview
03:01 Flat Character Arcs Explained
04:45 How to Introduce the "Normal World"
09:20 Story Resolution
10:47 Final Takeaways
There is a reason why Back to the Future became such an iconic film - it started with an immaculately constructed screenplay. Writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale somehow managed to give their protagonist, Marty McFly, both his wants and needs without a traditional character arc. How is this even possible? In this first episode of a mini-series on how to write a screenplay ending, we’re hopping into the DeLorean and punching it up to 88mph.
There are only 4 ways to end a movie and each comes down to whether or not the hero gets their wants and/or needs. First, let’s talk about wants. When writing a screenplay, a “want” is something external and specific to the protagonist that drives the plot forward. In Back to the Future, Marty’s initial want to be a rockstar but that all changes with the introduction of Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine. Once he’s stranded 30 years in the past, Marty McFly unwittingly disrupts his own family history and, therefore, creates a new want - to get his parents to fall in love.
Needs are something internal in the character but universal to us all and something that drives their character arc. But in Back to the Future, Marty doesn’t really have a traditional character arc. He has what KM Weiland describes as a “flat character arc” in which the protagonist doesn’t personally change but becomes the catalyst for change in the characters around them. Therefore, the “need” is mostly attributed to Marty’s father, George McFly. George needs to stand up for himself and be confident.
Here’s where it gets interesting - Marty’s need is to overcome his fear of becoming a “slacker” like his father. So, as Marty pushes George to become a stronger and more assertive character, he is also working towards his own need simultaneously. In the end, Marty gets his want and need, culminating in what we’re calling the “Sweet” ending.
In the next 3 episodes, we’ll cover how to write a screenplay using one of the remaining options (“Semi-Sweet,” “Bittersweet,” and “Bitter”).
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro - The Four Endings in Every Film
00:41 Protagonist "Wants" & "Needs"
02:05 Four Endings Overview
03:01 Flat Character Arcs Explained
04:45 How to Introduce the "Normal World"
09:20 Story Resolution
10:47 Final Takeaways
Please break down the script of KGF ❤️
Great Scott!
@@KurkureCreations 😉
Basic Instinct 1992
I dont mean to be so offtopic but does any of you know a method to log back into an instagram account..?
I somehow lost the password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me!
Every time I rewatch BTTF, I'm impressed at how many vital plot points they managed to cram into the first 15 minutes. Practically every individual line is establishing something that pays off later - but somehow it doesn't FEEL like a nonstop exposition dump.
fantastic screenwriting!
It's a perfectly paced film. So happy to see it used here as an example. I'd put it up there with Some Like it Hot as an all-time classic.
Wow 😮 never noticed this!!! That’s so amazing you’re sooo right 🤙
Not once have I ever (during endless replays of this movie) been able to acknowledge that the movie’s true plot is Lorraine’s need “to fix her mistake and fall in love with George for the right reasons.” 🤯
I'm 14, I want to be a filmmaker one day. Thank You StudioBinder for making all of these videos!
edited : Wow i wasnt expecting any replies, But Anyway Thank You So Much for the Positive Replies!😊
Do it, my friend! Best Wishes to you!
@@SourceAwareness Aah, Thank You Very Much!
@@fahdakashmir4448 good luck
@@fahdakashmir4448 👍 You're very welcome, my friend! Also, if you're interested in a cheap, budget-friendly cinema camera, the Canon EOS M (from 2012) is the best deal, when used with a program called Magic Lantern. Check out "Zeek" on TH-cam. He's a master with this amazing camera, which you can find on Amazon or Ebay for as low as $150.00 (US dollars). Here's a review for the camera: th-cam.com/video/qc8KqW0QcL4/w-d-xo.html
OMG I'm 14 too and i want to be a filmmaker one day! I just finished my first scene in my first screenplay.
5th way to end a movie: Monty Python's Holy Grail.
Why and how is that a ending?
6th way; No conclusion. Ends on a cliffhanger.
@@markparkinson6947 ah, the ambiguous ending.
Also, no one laugh at me, but I just haven't gotten around to watching the Monty Python's Holy Grail movie. Everyone talks about it and I just haven't gotten around to it on my Capt-America-like to-do list. Is it really that badass?
@@meg-k-waldren I have not watched the film either. 🤣 So I cannot say of the film is good or not. But from what I have heard, the film series is massively influential in the realm of comedy filmmaking, if not comedy in general.
@@meg-k-waldren And the film also demonstrates from what I have learnt about the film, that you do not need a huge budget in order to make a critically acclaimed film.
I literately just watched Back to the future
timeless isn't it.
I hope you enjoyed our companion piece haha
Just came back to see this video after watching the film.
I could say that every week. I literally watch one of the trilogy, at least in part, once a week, and it hasn't list its charm on me yet.
This video inspired me to watch it for the first time, and somehow, notwithstanding the spoilers I had been exposed to, I still enjoyed it as though I knew nothing.
Video is so well put together! More!
More on the way!
Agreed
Undeserved comment lol 😂
You look familiar.
I didn't go to film school but I've been dabbling in screenwriting during my spare time. These types of videos have been extremely helpful! Back to the Future's my favorite movie, so that helps too.
Happy writing!
Your video, as for the other ones, is very beautiful and useful thanks 🙂
I did my master's degree's thesis on Back to the Future and according to my thesis the carachter of Marty actually changes during the movie, he hasn't a flat arc. Take the scene where he plays with his band The Pinheads and he "fails". Then he and Jennifer go out from school to the bench and he tells self-devaluative sentences like "I'm never gonna get a chance to play in front of anybody" "I just don't think I'm cut out fot music" and Jennifer on the other hand tries to convince him of his value "It's like Doc's always saying: If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything".
Now if we jump to the scene where Marty has just saved himself and his brothers at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance he decides in that moment to play Johnny Be Good, in that moment Marty has changed, because he has understood his value during his all adventure, his arc has complete and he has the courage to exhibit himself in front of a great public (among other things at the risk of altering the space-time line, playing a song so modern for that time).
After all, what Marty will do at the end of the film is to bring home an elixir of increased self-confidence.
Thats one of the best screenplay ever written
Character development and story arc explained quite beautifully.
Thankyou studiobinder ❤️
Cheers!
Yes. Never new I needed this. Back To The Future is one of my favorite movies
Lots to learn from it :D
This study is just what I needed and wanted as a writer, which has just made my eyes wide open. Can't say how practical and helpful it is. I don't know what to say, thank you, thank you, thank you!
This channel teaches more content in a single 12 min video than 3 years at film school
I like the full trilogy because it creates an arc for Marty
it's an incredibly well crafted trilogy 👌
@@StudioBinder Which is your favorite watch out of the 3?
Yes bro at end of the movie
@@StudioBinder
Who wants a film school when you got this
"Who"
@@AtlantaTerry fucking autocorrect, my bad😂
@@blcktar0176 What did you originally type?
@@markparkinson6947 "how" nothing really funny.😁
@@blcktar0176 Oh, thank you for the clarification. Damn autocorrect, huh? 😂
Now THAT was an extremely informative *and* well put-together, structured video! I learned a lot in this episode, and I can't wait for the next to explore bitter endings!
Great analysis of a wonderful screenplay - a true classic Hollywood work. Appreciate the structual pointers too; will definitely help me in writing future (and maybe past) screenplays.
I really enjoy StudioBinder's videos. I went to traditional film school, and of course TH-cam film school, and I have found you guys to be consistently the best distilled version of both.
Thanks for the comment. We're always trying to educate and entertain!
Thanks for the clear and concise explanations of how storytelling works. BttF is a great choice as IMO it’s the rare two hours of perfection in this medium
As always, an excellent video and with one of my favorites. We're starting this year with a high note. Thank you, Studio Binder.
Cheers!
First video of 2021.
Really excited for this year's content.
We have some fantastic things on the way! 👍
*2021
@@TomEyeTheSFMguy thanks dude for correcting 😅😅
@@shubhagarwal9812 it's good.
I love back to the future but you just made me realize how brilliant the screen play is
I’ve been studying this film ever since 1984 when I was 7, every aspect of this film is historically brilliant. Time travel told in a way many after have still to topple. Thanks for taking time to edit and explain in plain English. Sometimes people make lessons like these way to complicated ✊🏿
Thank you so much for this Studiobinder. You Guys Are Always Amazing.
Cheers!
Iam from India 🇮🇳🇮🇳
your posts are inspiring me lot.
Problem of our indian film industry is Bollywood. Most of the people out side of India think that Bollywood is our face of Indian cinema.I am from one of the state of India called Kerala. And recently kerala films are trying to change Film industry.
Please watch movies like Trance , Moothon like films.
.
Ividem Malayali!!❤️
@@CringeAssProductions pinnallah. ഇവർ പൊളി ആണല്ലേ. ഒരു pc nte കൊറവ് എനിക്കുണ്ട് ഉണ്ടേൽ സ്റ്റുഡിയോ binder kettamayirunnu
@@sidharthsidharth4739 For writing/editing screenplays? I guess you could try Celtx. I use it. Even Malayalam industry majors use it. It's free. It's not the best, but it certainly does the job for me :)
@@CringeAssProductions oh. But here they use studio binder ah? So we can relate it more.
Indeed. There are not just Hindi cinema, but also Mayalam cinema, Tamil cinema, Telugu cinema, and several other forms of Indian cinema.
Thank you, StudioBinder, and Happy 2021 to you and all! ;)
Happy New Years!
Back to the Future employs clever foreshadowing in the opening credits. Genius move from Gale and Zemeckis
Truly appreciate this. It's so helpful thank you studio binder
This video is a new year gift.
our gift to our viewers :)
After 2 videos I've subscribed: congratulations!
I just love this channel so hyped for the next video
on its way!
This channel is epic! Learning so much from your content. Thank you for this.
Cheers!
Great video, I'm excited for the rest of these videos on endings
on their way 👍
Back to the future is such a master piece...
a very rewatchable movie 👌
these videos are so good, and the narrator's voice is amazing
Glad you like them!
Great video, love every series you put out!
Glad you're enjoying them!
Happy New Year from Australia 🇦🇺 Studiobinder!! Love your work
Happy New Year!
This is great, this is the kind of video for an aspiring writer to watch to better understand the way to end a story
That's the idea!
Amazing video, like always
Thanks for watching!
I waited every Monday
U guys are the best
Thanks for watching!
Your voice, Narrator, is amazing.
Wow!
Outstanding as always 🙏🏻
Thanks for watching!
Hello, I really like your videos, quality and sophistication. I am starting filmmaker, so this really helps to understand filmmaking. Cinematography amazed me. Thank you for doing these videos.
Glad to hear they've been helping you :)
I really love this channel cause I am starting in filmmaking and cinematography and it really helps me a lot. Thanks!
Good luck!
Thank you 😁
you cant leave us like this! We need episode 2!
haha it'll come!
Studiobinder, you never seem to run out of ideas, suggestions aside. I love this new video. :-)
I know, right? Such an amazing source for filmmaking.
Still open to suggestions though haha
Thank you for this video
Most of those films in the intro are not FLAT ARCS to me, like Soul. And as recently as last year, I always found that Marty started off believing the lie, "that he isn't cut out for music because no one will ever like what he does" sorta thing. So, I viewed it as a POSITIVE CHANGE ARC. But after hearing your breakdown, I can see it as a FLAT ARC now too. Maybe even more so. Either way, Back To The Future is one of the best screenplays ever written. Good video. I look forward to BITTER ENDING and the ones in between.
Agreed, Back to the Future is a great film to study for screenwriting 👌
Thank you 🙏 very much for giving us what we want and need to start the New Year. Marty McFly, the hero in most of us despite all the crazy situations around, we always react with humor. 🚗 ))) 🔥🔥🔥
That's the way to go!
Great Work StudioBinder, Very Much Informative Video...
Glad it helped!
This is great. Thanks Studiobinder.
Thanks for watching!
This was just superb! I'm going to call The Graduate for Bittersweet and The 6th Sense for Semi-sweet (off the top of my head). I'd be interested to hear everyone's ideas too.
Good call!
one of the best screenplay, Back to the future!
I see Back to the Future, I press like.
What if someone made a video hating Back to the Future?
Have you watched Sing Street? While it's totally different in nature, it pays homage to BTTF and is one seriously good movie. (I'd put it up there with BTTF.)
so do we :)
Great video! 🙌
Thanks for watching!
This was like epic!
Studiobinder my fav channel ever ❤️❤️
Ooh, excellent idea for the next videos!!
Glad you like them!
You guys are great 😉❤️
Perfect, I´m reading the book, but always it´s good to find explanations.
Glad the video helped!
Much much needed 1💜
Cheers!
Thanks a lot for another golden content
Cheers!
Great video.
Great video on screenplay. waiting for the next video
more on the way :)
Plutonium - Handle with Care - hilarious introduction of the plutonium.
great video!
Thanks for watching!
Amazing video
Glad you liked it!
Love it!
Glad you liked it!
Pretty much the most perfect movie there is.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing :D
Glad you liked it!
For fans of BTTF, I just happened to watch the doc ’Back in Time’ today and I can recommend it.
I have almost completed watching 80% of your videos and I almost learned film making at age 16 from you
That's great! happy filming 👍
Thank you so much for that
Thanks for watching!
Loved this episode. When is the next ?
Most likely next month
WE LOVE YOU STUDIOBINDER!!!
We love our viewers!
You could post a BTTF video every day and I will click on it EVERY DAY!!!
Great channel 🔝🎬
Thanks!
Waiting for other 3 ways of ending. Highly excited
on their way!
This was very useful information. Thank you for sharing. I always struggle with ending my short films.
Try writing the ending first then work your way back to the start.
@@AtlantaTerry interesting! I have never tried that before but makes sense. Thank you so much.
Happy to help!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ great video!!
Thanks for watching!
i need the next episode now
Superb
Thanks for watching!
Damian Chezel's Oscar nominated Whiplash also have a flat arc main character played by Miles Teller.
Really? The character seemed to change quite a bit from who he was in the beginning imo, but in a descent into darkness way
Did he? Cause for me, he's goal in the beginning was to be a great musician which led him to enduring JK Simmons' characters unordotox excesses. He did eventually leave the band but by the end of the movie, he leaves his father backstage to play even after being humiliated.
Subscribed
Welcome to the party!
Must watch💯💯💯💯
You are a great TH-cam channel, not just for making very helpful references, tips, advice and guides for filmmaking, but also to responding to every little comment you can! We here at the TH-cam comment section appreciate you for that.
And I have a suggestion; I would be interested in your channel’s filmmaking perspectives when it comes to Indian cinema. Doesn’t just have to be Bollywood, because also Tamil cinema, or Mayalam cinema. Would be very interested to know your thoughts and if you prefer, I can reference some movies for you to use as guides to filmmaking in your videos.
That's a great idea. would love that. But this is for a broad international / anglophone audience. It would be hard to reach so many people without using the shorthand of "Western" cultural touchstones.
@@HeathCozens Yeah, that is a good point. Still, I am game for whatever StudioBinder is willing to explore.
@@HeathCozens And I do enjoy seeing StudioBinder explore movies that are not primarily from English-speaking cultures.
Indian cinema has great works and many people watching it, but it doesn't get as much appreciation by the international audience as other popular national cinemas. But definitely well worth studying for any aspiring filmmaker
@@StudioBinder Indeed! I shall be looking forward to your filmmaking analyses of these films if they arrive!
And thank you for your videos. They are most certainly very helpful for filmmakers and the art of filmmaking as a whole.
Marty does change - Strickland calls him a slacker, and says no McFly has ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley. It's his 4th tardy slip in a row. Left unbothered, he probably wouldn't do anything to meaningfully change any of it. On paper, he has flaws, and the plot gives him a chance to rise above himself and change.
It’s a happy ending until you start to think about where this timeline’s version of Marty is. Did he get replaced by this Marty, did he get erased?
The problem with being too fast is you don't have comments to read :(
happy to read yours :)
Now this is content
That's what we're here for :)
I don´t care about three Godfathers, Shawshank Redemption, 12 Angry blá blá blás. Back To The Future are the best films ever made! I´m not joking! The screenplay of these films are the very best scripts ever writen. It´s so perfectly orchestraded. The actings of Doc Brown is anthological, the soundtrack one of the greatest. There´s hardly a so satisfing film to watch over and over again. Thank you studio binder to bring us this script analisys. Amazing video!
(BTW, I also love the 3 Godfathers and specialy The Shawshank Redemption)
What a sweet ending... Being placed in an parallel universe where you have missed your first 20 odd years of life and you don't know how everything is or works... Just lovely.
Marty doesn't seem to mind ;)
@@StudioBinder true. Great video, can't wait for the rest of the series!
subscribing is an offer we can't refuse
That's the idea 😎
When is the nest episode of "The Four Endings" coming out?
Studio binder u r future blessings for creating directors and cinematographer
Thank you for your amazing content!! You should make a section analysing classic directors such as Frank Capra, Billy Wilder, Raoul Walsh, ford, it'd be cool, in the BTTF audio commentary Robert Zemeckis mentioned this movie is heavily influenced by frank Capra and Billy wilder films
Thanks for the suggestion!
What is a Studio Binder video without mentioning The Godfather at least once.
Jokes aside, Great job on the video. Can't wait to see the rest!
😂 can't help it
“In the beginning, there was nothing.” I’ve said it before and will reiterate... StudioBinder’s use of film quotes and cutting aligned with the narration is unprecedented! 🙌🤙. I honestly wouldn’t mind it if I was able to have StudioBinder rip apart my portfolio .. pieces of which are spread abroad 🤷♂️.
Glad you like our editing!
StudioBinder Station🤙
11:38 Never realized the funky license plate